Helping daughter with her children

Good for you vegan, I have also had to do things using the Cummings law.

Well GParents aren’t of value to the economy are they? If we were making money at it it would be allowed no doubt. Yes we are doing “essential childcare support” two days a week until nursery resumes as it is impossible to wfh and look after an 18 month old. We took our lead from Dominic Cummings.

Grandparents have been very patient and most of them doing what was advised. But now when the parents are being called back to work it is us that need to know its ok to look after our grandchildren. Our houses are clean and the children will go home after every day, so where is the problem? Yes, its different for those with health issues they have to stay away from the others. If holiday homes, hotels are opening where people stay overnight in strangers houses then why this issue with childminding?

Yes older one at school , but I can’t collect her after school some days like I do , and the 2 young ones in nursery some days but Fridays we have them

This was our dilemma at the start of lockdown. My daughter and grandson live with us. She is frontline nhs, and had to go to work, but her nursery just closed down totally. Now this nursery was set up originally for key workers who worked long shifts. They open from 6 till 9. My daughters works 12 hour shifts, so this was perfect for her. So we were gobsmacked that they were so quick to close down.
I’ve been shielding from my job , so I’ve been having to look after him. But it’s been so hard, he’s 20 months old and really hard work. My daughter has now found a childminder to have him, as I’ll be going back to work soon. Needless to say he won’t be going back to the nursery. I bet she’s not the only one to make other arrangements. So in effect the nursery has shot themselves in the foot.
It’s all very well people not wanting to send their children back to school, but some people have no choice, as their jobs are vital. So they need schools and nurseries open.

I’ve been looking after my granddaughter, 22 months for the last 3 weeks for one day a week. Other, older grandparents, also local, have her one dat a week too and they are the same as us. Neither family have left their houses other than for exercise since 2nd week of March. My daughter is in her first job since her masters, working 3 days a week. She was very worried as she was still in her probationary period when lockdown began but she is very busy now. However, she is going back to nursery one day a week next week so we will give it a couple of weeks before we have her again. She badly needs to socialise with other children as she has started running after other toddlers in parks so gp’s are very sad but agree it’s in her best interests. However, daughter will then have 2 days again trying to work with toddler vying for her attention.

@Nannapat
Our granddaughter's school hours of 9am to 12.20pm would fit with no one's work hours except the school staff!

Has it occurred to you that teachers are parents too?Do you really believe that those are the only hours teachers work?
My HT son and Deputy HT Dil have been working for weeks in their respective schools while juggling child care. They are key workers and deserve our respect, especially as the goalposts change all the time. We are like all the other grandparents on here, giving as much help as we can while trying to make sense of the contact rules.

I would do what I needed to do. Childminder next door has parents for a chat and cuppa and yesterday her home hairdresser was in more more than two hours. No family member and blow drying hair (which once hairdressers open won't be allowed to do).And that is someone caring for key workers children , should know better, so would definitely step up and help family with childminding. It isn't right but folk are just doing their own thing now.

What a nightmare it’s all been. I’m not disputing in any way how serious the virus is but how long can you wait to see grandchildren and look after them and go indoors at your own children’s houses . We’ve abided by all the rules. We’ve already missed three months of their lives and none of us are ever guaranteed a tomorrow. I don’t mean to be melodramatic - I know we need to all help each other and keep safe but at why point do you make your own common sense decision. Life is full of risks.

Depends on the risk of infection, doesn't it? If granny or grandad catches the infection from a child - who maybe caught it from a working parent - the chances of them dying is just as high as it always was. The virus is as virulent as ever, you just have to assess the risks you are prepared to take.

It's very difficult. My DD and her partner are trying to juggle home working, going in to work part-time and looking after the kids. I hope that the infection rate and the death rate are both low by the time they have to go back to work full time, so the older kids can return to school and I can look after the baby.

I just cannot see why Boris et al don’t realise the only way to give the economy an extra boost by allowing grandparents to decide whether they want to childminder or not is th only way forward.

I have been saying this for ages. Grandparents seem to have been forgotten in the grand scheme of things. I'm all for things getting back to normal but at what cost. It makes my blood boil when i see people deliberately flouting the rules. Its as if grandparents don't matter. I started looking after my grandson one day a week a couple of weeks ago. My daughter needs us if she is to go back to work. I don't care. We have missed him so much and more to the point he has missed us.

My neighbours parents have moved in with there DD and family to resume childcare. By moving in they feel it’s safer all being under one roof and mixing as less as possible. It’s what works for you I guess.

I would be happy to help both daughters with childcare if necessary. DD1 is married, she is self employed SiL is furloughed, they take turns who is looking after 4 yer old GD while t'other works. It's a similar story for DD2 who is single, but in contact with the father of her son. It works well for them.

I started back last week looking after my GS for 2 days. I look after him at their home, i don’t take him out shopping or anywhere else. I keep us both safe, we just have lots of fun playing around the house and garden. Needs must go on money doesn’t grow on trees.

I am a 61 year old grandma and registered childminder. I have been open since 1st June. I can have minded children but not see my grandchildren very frustrating. However due to several health conditions...not severe enough for shielding....my anxiety is at an all time high as I know some minded children's parents are not adhering to guidelines.

I don't do any childcare as my gc are grown up but if I did I would have carried on as normal when I was needed. The government has looked after itself by allowing cleaners and paid nannies back to work but not family. So I would say just do it and care for them. I have also broken the rules by caring for my adult daughter when needed. You just have to help your family.

Yes, I'm another who has done my own risk assessment and am helping out with grandchildren. My DDIL is on her own with an autistic 2 year old & a very high spirited 7 year old. DS is abroad working & she is really struggling to cope. Poor girl has had mental issues in the past so we can't stand by and watch so we've stepped in to help as much as we can. I'm sure there must be thousands doing the same, Boris or no Boris

You can be a nanny .Im doing that in 2weeks for my daughter .She asked to send her reception class son to school but they refused .He’s bored at home and it is affecting his emotional and mental health

Agree with gillybob and others who have done their own risk assessment, used common sense and helped as needed. Our granddaughter's school hours of 9am to 12.20pm would fit with no one's work hours except the school staff! Our daughter also cannot be furloughed, it's either work or no pay, so work it is and we help with childcare. DH is a dentist and is now back to work 2 days a week, down from 3 prior to lockdown.

I think you have just got to calculate the risk and decide what you can offer to do. At least this time of year you can spend time in the garden, probably best at their house? This virus isn't going to suddenly disappear and we do all need to look to our families future.

Noting and agreeing with the difficulty and also being in the same position I am going to start my usual caring role too for two children under five years old. I have done a sort risk assessment etc and will adhere to hand washing spraying with various anti bacs and anything else which may help however our family is in the same position as many of you have articulated. What I have done is enlist as a child minder and am going through what is very good Info. It’s a dilemma for us all and it does make me worry a little. My DIL and son are very proactive with all measures but they have to work too

I began looking after my DGD (age 2) again 2 weeks ago now. I have gone back to my usual 2 days a week. My DD was told if she did not return to work she wouldn’t be paid . Simple as that . No offer of furlough . She had no choice . Easy for those like Boris and Co. who have their nannies for childcare isn’t it ?

I don’t feel in the slightest bit guilty or that I am doing anything wrong . I have abided by every other rule in the book but this became an urgent situation that we had to deal with the best way we could. If Boris wants to step up and pay my DD for staying home that’s fine .

I feel for you. It’s an impossible situation for you and for us.
What would you tell Boris he needs to put in place so that people can get back to work without endangering anybody?
Since I notice GN posts occasionally make their way further out into the media, perhaps we could come to some agreement on here that would help him out.

Are the oldest at school Mollypussy if both parents are key workers?