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Granddaughters mental health

(11 Posts)
Gingster Sun 28-Feb-21 07:54:15

My 18 yr old GD started uni last September . She was only there 2 weeks when she had to isolate in her room as one of her new friends had Covid. She was in her room for 14 days. She had never actually been into the university for lectures. Everything is on line. She came home for a few days in November and has only been back to uni for one week for face to face practice session , so has been home since the beginning of December because of lockdown. Her course is very intense (Mental Health Nursing) so she works hard online, with presentations and lectures.
She lives with her dad in a flat and he works 7 days a week in a restaurant providing takeaways.
She visits her mum and siblings every couple of weeks just for an afternoon (this is allowed as she’s from a split family).
She is very bad at phoning, messaging etc, although we all message and try to phone her.
We heard from dad this week that she is very sad and lonely, consequently we are all very worried about her .
Would it be so wrong to ask her to come and stay with us for a few days. ? At least she would have company and she could pop to her mums, (who only lives 10 minutes walk away from me. )
This lockdown has affected so many people in so many ways.
This year for my GD should have been so exciting ! So very sad!

BlueBelle Sun 28-Feb-21 08:04:24

I can totally relate to this I have two granddaughters taking their A levels and hoping to go to Uni one in particular is also doing an intense course and has spent most of the last year in her lovely but lonely bedroom only the other day after all this hard work she said she was losing the will and couldn’t be bothered to do any more she’s doing a science based course that really needs a lab and face to face teaching She is past our level of being able to help
I would definitely invite her over if she wants to come (I wouldn’t think twice her mental health is equally important) perhaps a new environment will get her through the next few weeks/months and hopefully with the vaccination programme September will see an improvement in their lives
Good luck to our precious teens who have been affected so badly

Riverwalk Sun 28-Feb-21 08:07:10

As her father works 7 days a week he obviously can't provide much support - her course is completely online so why doesn't she live with you, if it's not possible to live at her mother's.

Dwmxwg Sun 28-Feb-21 08:11:00

If it was me I would definitely invite her to stay. Sounds like you have a good relationship with her and some “granny” time, coupled with being close to her family may be just the tonic she needs. Good luck

MerylStreep Sun 28-Feb-21 08:21:35

I wouldn't give it a second thought. My family's health comes before any rules and regulations.

Grannynannywanny Sun 28-Feb-21 08:27:18

I definitely would invite her to stay. A change of surroundings and some home cooking and a little pampering might give her the boost she needs.

silverlining48 Sun 28-Feb-21 08:49:01

Try not to over worry, her father has said she is lonely and sad. I think most people feel the same, it’s been hard.
It’s understandable you are concerned but don’t label this more than it probably is. Keep in touch with her, meet up if that’s possible, let her know she is loved and remind her this too will pass.

Franbern Sun 28-Feb-21 09:03:43

Totally agree with those who say to you. Invite her over, and shower her with love. I also have a g.son doing his first year at Uni. Fortunately, there are others in his halls, so he is not lonely. Obviously, been a strange first year, and he is very unhappy that he has had no lab work at all (He is doing Chemical Studies). He only went home for a few days at Christmas and returned to his halls, before the lockdown. He says, he will stay there through the Easter hols, as exams soon after and he can study better there than at home.

Another g.child doing A levels. Hopes to start her Social Work course in September. Her Mum (my eldest daughter) manages several NHS Mental Health teams and I know how much these teams need more people trained and qualified in the various sections of mental health work. Your GD is doing such a worthwhile course of study. Do encourage her to stick with it. We need many more people like her.

Gingster Sun 28-Feb-21 09:15:40

Thank you all so much for your lovely advice. I have already messaged her to ask if she would like to come. I really do hope she does. ?

vampirequeen Sun 28-Feb-21 09:35:47

Definitely invite her. She needs a break and a change.

Peasblossom Sun 28-Feb-21 10:14:51

Given that her dad is out and about every day, it would be sensible for her to take a test before she comes to you.

We still have to be careful not to infect others.