Grandparents childcare

We can now go and help out DD with two young children so she can work. She has had it anyway, but the antibody tests have only just become available to prove it, and at a cost of £99 each, that will make them unavailable to the lower income families who could really benefit from knowing.

I’m with you gillybob The rules make no sense. I’ve been looking after 18 month old GC for past 4 weeks 2 days a week, and will continue till the nursery opens for his age group. The parents can’t wfh with him around all day, and they can’t always take it in turns with conference calls etc. It’s ridiculous that paid childminders are seemingly ok but unpaid family members , unless they are D Cumming s family, are not. I’m not doing this for my benefit, but to help my DD. She is a key worker who works for home ( yes, they do exist) but he can’t get a nursery place as SIL not a key worker but he is also wfh, but this doesn’t mean he has all day to sing wheels on the bus or whatever. So I know my couple of days is so much appreciated, and once nursery is up and running I will be redundant

I'm so glad that's worked out for you Gillybob as well as for your DD too. How would anyone expect her to live ? It would have been an added worry for you which you can well do without xx It's a poor show if you can't help your family during tough times.

I'd be hard-pushed not to do the same for my D. In fact I was asked, by phone , this morning if I could help my D with the children if need be, honestly !

I feel strongly that they need to extend that ridiculous single parent rule .

I’m almost jubilant tonight !

Okay so I broke the rules today and had my gorgeous baby girl at my home ( it was perfect as though she’d never been away) but all very above board now . Still ridiculous rules in my opinion but there you have it. I’m so happy for my DD that she can go back to work on minimum 16 hours .

It sounds as if a lot of GPs will now be able to care for their DGC as they can form a bubble if their DC is a single parent. It can’t be long before that’s extended.

I am a grandmother of two boys aged 3 &2. I have not had them in my house since the lockdown or looked after them.
They are now reopening all shops and other areas of employment, but where's the childcare for those workers? Most of them rely on grandparents, are we still to remain redundant child carers? How long do the government think they can keep us from our unpaid jobs which keep parents in work?

You are little Evie's second home. I'm sure your DD will take all the precautions she can and if it weren't for the dog, I think you'd said she would have moved in with you well before now, so would have been leaving your house for work in that case.

I know Mr Gillybob isn't in the best of health, but I rather think there's a good chance he's already had the virus last year. Especially since there's now reports of the virus being 'out there' last September!

I think you have made the right decision gillybob. I will face the same dilemma soon but will do the same as you. Hopefully with a gradual relaxation of the rules we will be allowed to have our Grandchildren inside soon

MerylStreep i wasn't suggesting a tent for a 2 year old, they wouldn't be at school anyway surely??? I was suggesting for an older child that needs GP to look after it after school so parents could return to work.

We’re doing similar things gillybob. We have to be sensible, and weigh up things for ourselves. I think the thinking behind the childminder versus grandparents thing, is the fact grandparents would usually be more tactile, and older and more vulnerable of course. I’m like you...a bit younger than the most vulnerable group. Enjoy....?

I would do exactly the same as you gilly.Enjoy your time with little Evie.x

gillybob
Good for you. I would do exactly the same. Families family ?
As for someone suggesting a tent in the garden for a 2 yr old: words fail me ?

gillybob if I were in your shoes I would do the same. I do hope you enjoy the time spent with your DGD ?

My DGD is only just gone 2 travelsafar so no school and no social distancing possible either . Much like a childminder I will have to have her indoors unless weather changes drastically (it’s wet and cold up here) . She still needs a little help with feeding and is still in nappies . My older DGC are 14,12 and 10 and they are managing okay right now as no school .

If you live close enough to your grand child's school to walk them home to your house would it be allowed to look after them in the garden maintaining SD. A tent or something similar could be put up for the children to play in if it rains. You could put a snack and drink in there prior to collecting the child. Most children are usually tired after school and the chance to relax in GP garden would be nice before parents can collect after work. Toilet facilities could be an issue, but if you have a shed maybe a bucket could be screened off for the children to use. Just a thought if you realy have to look after GC.

I agree with your decision, Gilly, and guess that you will benefit hugely from having the little one in your life again. The risk is low and you need some joy. Good luck.

Well children can move between two homes if parents are estranged so I’ve had my DGS’s from day one. They live half the week with me and half the week with their parents. DD is frontline NHS and there is no childcare/school provision which caters for her or her DP’s long working hours.
Yes we are bending the rules but there is no other way. Childminder has not been working.

Thank you Mamacaz I know for a certain that I have obeyed every rule in the book. I have not had any direct contact with anyone for several months . I know for sure that my little granddaughter will be safer here with me and DH than she could be with anyone else. I stand by my decision .

I’m 58 lucky I am still expected to work (for another 10 years yet) before I can get my state pension . If I was earning money ££££ as a childminder it would be okay ? But I am an unpaid grandma who is trying to support her working DD (and I’m working too) .

Thank you so much for your response and your understanding .

As BlueSky said, there is no other way for some, and I agree with you, gillybob, that your dgd (and therefore everyone else too) will be safer if looked after by you than by the currently 'allowed' childcare providers.

Maybe it is the risk to you too that matters gilly - the little one is, by all accounts, unlikely to be ill with the virus, but maybe you are, being older, and your OH, being unwell.

There are so many apparent anomalies in the rules.

I am sure you have given much thought to what you feel to be best for you and your family. It is a very difficult conundrum for everyone. I hope things work out well for you all.

The silence is deafening .

I have made the decision to look after my DGD (2) for 2 days a week from this week . It is not a decision I have made lightly and I have not been badgered into it either .

My DD has been told that she must return to minimum hours (16) this week or else she will have no income . It has also been hinted that she may be considered for redundancy when (not if) they need to make staff cutbacks.

I really fail to see the difference between myself and a childminder. Other than the exchange of £££££. If anything my DGD will be far safer here with me than she would be mixing in a strangers house where we have no idea or proof of the comings or goings.

I know of grandparents who have had to restart looking after grandchildren when parents had to return to work. No other way for some.