Grandchildren illness

When my mum was alive but v aged I did try and avoid having sick grandchildren around as I was her carer, now I don't worry so much with coughs and sneezes but would try and avoid stomach upsets as they luckily shake them off quickly but I don't.

I won't have them if it's diarrhoea and sickness orherwise ok

Harrigran you do have very good reason to avoid infection and anybody would understand that. No argument.
But a child being sick is not necessarily the same thing as Norovirus is it?
I also do not think that a phobia ranks along with depression.
So being “paranoid” about “catching” anything from grandchildren still seems precious to me. There are many things we put up with having our babies and bringing them up and I would like to think that under normal circumstances most people would put their DC and DGC first.

??

Bathsheba
I would not worry too much about user names as no doubt throughout the world you would come across and in the most unlikely places persons with your username
I am not a face booker, twitterer or skyeper so no worries
for me in those departments.
I have a relative who has given her children what you hjt could describe as biblical names, Ruth, Mary Adam and David. So without a doubt there are many of your name sakes around

Luckily I live too far away to have to make that decision. My first GD, now 25, who did live close by, was seldom ill and I was never asked to sit with her - I was still at work anyway when she was little.

Oh thank you for the helpful information. I Have been thinking about looking into doing something for a while, I have had it all my life, and now in my 60s, but with the onset of poorly relatives and grandchildren it's probably time.Thank you

Seaside22
I totally understand, as this is me as well...........
I have OCD as well, and get worse when tired and over-stressed or ill..............

Seaside my daughter has had amazing results after just an hour's treatment by a hypnotherapist - I urge yout to try this if you can afford it, I had always been sceptical but was stunned by the results. You don't want to have to go through the rest of your life like this.

I would look after my GC whilst they were ill but when I am ill my DD’s stay as far away as they can, understandably because they dont want to catch what I have or the children either, BUT I do feel very isolated and alone when that happens.

I don’t intend to sound smug but just to say that overcoming disgust is possible, even for me!

The term ‘phobia’ is sometimes misused for a dislike. Phobias can be treated with various degrees of success.
I recoiled from the smell of vomit until I qualified as a teacher (in the days before numerous assistants). The first time a child in my class vomited I was too busy reassuring the distressed child and keeping the rest of the class at a distance to react. I held my breath and got on with it, just like changing that first smelly nappy!

Just recovered from the most horrid snottiest cold ever, courtesy of my youngest grandson. Of course I don’t like catching stuff as does take me longer to recover but actually feel humbled that they are almost as happy to be with me as with their mummy when poorly.

...but we both have our ‘flu jabs.

Looking after poorly grandchildren is a duty first of the parents, then of the grandparents.

As grandparents who are retired from paid work, my wife and I stand ready to help with the care of our grandchildren at the drop of a hat.

Provided we are not away on holiday when our daughters would not dream of asking.

That’s when they need you the most!

Yes I hear what your saying, and I do try very hard .I have two close relatives at the moment with long term medical conditions,that I have to take to hospital appointments they can feel ill on the way home, I hate the stress and panic it puts me through, but I do it because I love them and have to help.I think I'm worse at the moment because I am very tired and stressed.

It is not irrational to fear the norovirus, it is so virulent that you just have to be in a room and not even touch the sufferer.
Since my op my stomach muscles can't tolerate the heaving so tend to stay clear of GC when they are sick. DIL has never asked us to babysit for poorly children, I guess she takes unpaid leave.

You are probably immune to most things already - one of the benefits of having lived a long time!

I wouldn't worry about bugs - see it as a time to ginger up your immune system!

Seaside you have to forget yourself and think only of the ill person and get on with it (with you’re eyes closed if needs be) I m not unsympathetic I ve had ( have) phobias but you HAVE to do what ever it is you are phobic of and not shie away from it
Every time you run from a phobia it has won and you reestablish that the fear is valid and harmful to you you have to do it whatever it is and not give it the chance to rule your life you have to be brave enough to fight it whatever it is vomit, heights, planes, snakes, it is only your mind playing tricks with you and each time you run you have given it the opportuning to do it again and again until the day you are prepared to challenge yourself you will live in fear of this unfounded fear No one likes cleaning d and v but it needs doing so we have to just get on with it

Emetophobia is a very real phobia.it doesn't help to be called precious and to been told to get on with it , no more than it would help someone suffering with depression told to pull their socks up.Willow500 I have also run away from sick, and can't help anyone that's feeling ill even my husband, I just pray I could help my grandchildren if and when it happens.It's such a debilitating phobia and you can't stop thinking about it no matter how hard you try.

I think children may be a bit horrified to be looked after by a GM in disposable gloves and a face mask. I would be concerned that the child would develop an OTT attitude to infections. Washing hands regularly is a sensible precaution

Oh dear there’s some precious folks on here I can’t believe you even think about it let alone worrying about something that hasn’t even happened. Let’s hope you never have an ill loved one, you have to stop thinking about yourself and think of them
If there’s a bug around a bit of Amazon sanitizer isn’t going to help much and a bit of sick isn’t going to kill you

Must admit I am also in this category. Colds and coughs I can cope with but when my own children were small if they were sick it was over to dad to deal with them. I've been known to run half way down a plane to avoid someone throwing up in front of me! My grandson's are coming for 6 weeks on Fri having flown from the other side of the world so I'm dreading one of them getting a bug but will just have to deal with it. I'm off to Amazon to look for that hand gel Seaside

Unless you have a compromised immune system as paw had or are in the throes of chemo, this does seem a bit precious. Normal precautions such as handwashing are generally perfectly adequate, along with common sense. Nobody likes dealing with vomit, but paranoid about catching the illness, especially sickness bugs - really?
And they call Millennials “snowflakes”!!