Gransnet forums

Chat

Might this be allowed?

(87 Posts)
Luckygirl Sun 05-Apr-20 17:46:06

One of my DDs (who lives just a few minutes away) has asked me to go and join their household for the duration of the lockdown. Her argument is that they are observing all the rules (so I would be at no more physical risk|) and she is concerned for my mental health as I have just been widowed.

I can see her logic; and looking it up on internet it seems that many have done something similar: created a combined household to make sure an older relative is properly cared for. In my case I do not need care; but the total isolation is very hard for me at this moment, because of being newly bereaved.

My inclination is to thank her but say that I think it probably breaks the spirit of the rules, and I should not do it.

What would you do?

Chewbacca Mon 06-Apr-20 22:48:24

Glad that you've reached a decision that your settled with Luckygirl, it was a difficult decision to make. You can always reconsider in the future if you need to, but hopefully, the current situation won't last too much longer. Fingers crossed.

welbeck Mon 06-Apr-20 23:45:13

dear Lucky, you have made the right decision.
the point about your daughter was one of the points that i was thinking.
the risk to your health is potentially a risk to your daughter;s.
if anything happened to you after being there, she would feel so guilty, be difficult to get over. so we have to think how things might affect other people, whatever we are willing to risk ourselves. i think bereavement feels overwhelming wherever we are, and sometimes the presence of a family unit/ partnership can emphasise our own sense of loneliness.
keep in touch with them and friends by internet video etc.
i wish you all the very best. keep in touch with us too please.

ElaineI Tue 07-Apr-20 00:18:59

On Mother's Day we were having DD1 and family and DD2 and her son for tea. DD2 (DGS2) almost 2 yo threw a temp of 39 for no apparent reason. Stopped DD1 at door and they went home (poor DGD age 3 was distraught). No info at that point on children with high temp so phoned 111 for advice. Told we were classed as family unit and to self isolate as per instructions even though could be a cold/teething whatever. Since then DD2 and DGS2 have been living with us as she is a single parent and we do child care. Has been much easier for me and her as I help a lot and though we only live 7 minutes away it has meant I don't need to go to her house which is against the lockdown rules. Just come out of self isolation (toddler got better in 3 days without any other symptoms apart from grouchy). No one else became ill. Have not been able to see DD1 or her family since though we FaceTime and DSiL has dropped off food and milk at our door. They are in a different county. So I guess I would say yes go for it if you have self isolated then it is really much easier and less worrying for the family if you are with them. Today I went out for a shop at Tesco for first time and was very nervous keeping away from everyone. Staff are doing well but people come too near for my comfort - mainly young people who don't seem to get it and men of varying ages who seem to be treating it as a joke!

GrannySomerset Tue 07-Apr-20 00:40:17

As long as you feel comfortable with your decision all is well. And lovely to have such a good daughter - obviously a credit to her upbringing.

NfkDumpling Tue 07-Apr-20 07:26:57

I echo Chewbacca's post. You need to be where you're most comfortable. You have lovely daughter's - mine haven't offered - but then, we have problems living together for more than a week. My DM had a saying about two women and one kitchen which I can't properly remember.

annsixty Tue 07-Apr-20 08:13:56

I echo that sentiment NFK Dumpling
My D and I would not get on for any length of time.
We speak every day on the phone but sharing a house? No.
My own Mother and I were the same.

Txquiltz Tue 07-Apr-20 08:20:27

Consider a brief phone chat with your doctor. Your circumstances are unique, but the risks are real. He might be able to help you sort them out.

Franbern Tue 07-Apr-20 09:34:47

I must admit that I have given serious thought to doing this. Packing up and going to stay with my daughter and her family a few streets away. To have company and people to talk to,. Decided against it not for CV reasons, but as my Son in Law there is in total self-isolation in their bedroom, she is having to use the normal spare bed for herself. Also, did wonder how I would cope living with so many other people week on week, when I have, happily, lived the past twenty years on my own.
Decided to stay put in my own flat, able to pick my own mealtimes, tv programmes, have my own bed, chair, etc. Using phone and skype, etc to keep in touch with all family members (but it is not the same as real contact).
I am 78 in a few weeks time - and still go out once a week to do the oldies shopping hour at Sainsburys.

Franbern Tue 07-Apr-20 09:36:18

Woops, don't know my own age!! It is my 79th birthday I will be having in June - I am trying to be optimistic and going ahead with arrangements for my 80th next year.

kittylester Tue 07-Apr-20 10:27:27

Glad you've made a decision Lucky you know we are here if you need us. brew

M0nica Tue 07-Apr-20 11:25:10

Franbern, I know exactly how you feel. At a far lower level of togetherness. we discussed throwing in our lot with our DD, who lives alone and is currently working from home. She would come to us, we have a big house and we could give her a separate room with a desk to work from undisturbed, but in the end we all came to the conclusion that we were best staying in our own homes with our own things around us and following our own domestic routines. We ring and Zoom regularly. plus talk to other relatives and friends and are all doing OK.