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Coronavirus

Grandma daycare when shielding pauses

(37 Posts)
rosieod1 Wed 15-Jul-20 00:23:15

Before coronavirus I had been looking after my grandson 2 days a week.My hubby has no spleen so was originally on the at risk group for shielding,so told my DIL that I wouldn't be able to look after little man .She wasn't happy about that but I had to put both first to be kept safe. Following week lockdown happened so the issue went away and the spleen issue had disappeared from the original advice. 4 weeks later hubby got the letter from the NHS to say he had to shield and as I lived in the same house with him basically had to do the same. Fast forward about 10 weeks,have become almost agoraphobic and can't bring myself to leave the house but have gradually been getting better and starting to go back out into the world. Sorry for the long ramble but trying to give some background. Anyway shielding ends 31st July,so allegedly everything is going back to "normal" Hubby will still be working from home as going back to working in London isn't an option but what do I do about going back to grandma daycare? Grandson has spent the past 4 months with first of all both parents on a daily basis and now just with mum.Do I have him back here with us? Not sure he'll be happy about that after all this time. And being brutally honest,not sure I want to go back to 6am starts and 11 hour days looking after an almost 3 year old.Your thoughts on this would be most appreciated

Gingergirl Wed 15-Jul-20 16:47:20

@justwokeup, I’m still confused! How can you look after grandchildren and social distance?. Are you in Scotland or England?

justwokeup Wed 15-Jul-20 18:24:59

As I understand it we can extend our bubble to 6 from end July. Could be wrong! confused

EthelJ Wed 15-Jul-20 19:22:33

We have started looking after our grandchildren again one day a week. When the rules relaxed they said it was ok for families to provide childcare again. We don't socially distance with the grandchildren, it is impossible with young children, especially when looking after them.
We socially distance with everyone else and don't go out. I don't even go shopping, we do click and collect.
If its safe for people to go into pubs, gyms the hairdresser etc i don't think holding a small child's hand can be dangerous. It has certainly helped mental health and theirs too.

OP only agree to look after your grandson if you feel OK about it. If it is too much then now is probably a good time to talk about it with your son.

EthelJ Wed 15-Jul-20 19:23:39

We didn't see them at all until the guidelines were changed to allow meet ups etc

Awelin Thu 14-Jan-21 08:48:56

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ElisabettJeff Sat 17-Jul-21 14:44:10

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H1954 Sat 17-Jul-21 14:54:34

If the child's parents have managed during lockdown restrictions then let them carry on doing so. You and your OH should look after yourselves first and although this might sound harsh, us grandparents really ought to be a little more selfish when it comes to childcare. I know I couldn't do it on a regular basis.
Grandparent childcare is all too often a cheap cop out for parents, why have children if you're going to farm them out to grandparents?

Lucca Sat 17-Jul-21 15:00:31

This a thread from last year

Marydoll Sat 17-Jul-21 15:01:58

I am in Scotland and have been shielding, so no childminding for me during the pandemic.
However, I have been advised to still take extra precautions, as although doubly vaccinated, being immunosuppressed has meant, that for me, the vaccine is not fully effective.

I can appreciate that your DIL must be anxious about not having a childminder, but she doesn't seem to be too concerned about you and your husband's welfare. My son and DIL have decided that it is still too risky for me to childmind and have made alternative arrangements.

I feel for you, being torn in two.

welbeck Sat 17-Jul-21 15:02:20

the original query is from a year ago.

Marydoll Sat 17-Jul-21 16:49:17

It is still relevant at present, despite what Boris says. My consultant advised me last week to be extra vigilant and I'm sure I'm not the only one it applies to.
I contribute to shielding research and was asked yesterday what my opinion was on shielders wearing a wrist band, to ask people to keep their distance and wear a mask near them. Many people have given up masks and distancing here.