Anybody still looking after Grandchildren ?

BlueSapphire, same with our daughters and their four children, who we usually care for at least one full day plus over nights etc. We're face timing to keep in touch with the four under 5 year olds. I keep reminding myself we're lucky to be able to do that. We have three birthdays, Easter, Mother's Day and other family events planned - not any more they aren't.

It’s so sad! Same in our family. But thank goodness for WhatsApp, face timing etc!

My grandchildren from Hong Kong have been with us for the last six weeks with their nanny. They would like to go back now but getting a flight which will take them is proving difficult. They’ve already had one trip to Heathrow only to be denied access to the flight which was not accepting anyone other than their own nationals even though they had a booking! I’m in my late 60s and my husband is in his 70s. They are going back to Heathrow on Friday hopefully to fly home, seats are booked and fingers crossed. It’s been a long and tiring visit for us. Just hoping they can now get home otherwise they’re in for an even longer stay and nowhere that we can safely take them now to entertain them.

our childcare came to an abrupt stop yesterday. the smallest one had a cough and fever on monday night and the family were advised to self isolate for 14 days

I mentioned earlier that we have our grandson 2 nights a week and last night was one of those nights. I had just got him fed when his father turned up straight off the train from London. I am more than cross.

JuliaM as you are in the high risk group you should not risk making yourselves a burden on the health service by having these children in your house. I trust your daughter understands this by now.

Items of cutlery and crockery can be scalded or boiled and set aside in a covered container for use by children or others who may be infected.

Towels likewise.

I am still looking after my 2 year old grandson full time. What choice do i have both parents at work, he was supposed to start nursery a couple of days a week in April but they have been told admissions on hold until the virus is over.

The choice is that one of them, preferably the lowest earner, takes parental leave.
Rather than risk your health!

Thats not going to happen, how do they pay bills etc. Now they have announced uk schools to close from Friday i will be looking after 3 maybe 4 more. ??‍♀️

I’ve just seen the schools are closing. Whose going to look after all the children now. Our dil can work from home some of the time, but it’s very difficult with a 2 and 4 year old. Think we’re going to be very busy.

The Prime Minister was quite clear when he spoke earlier, Grandparents are NOT to look after the children. This is to protect us and stop us from overwhelming the NHS.

Please do not ignore this for everyone's sake.

Just informed by text we won't be seeing grandsons at all. I'm heartbroken. We usually have them at least two days and one night a week. I think our daughter is being manipulative and mean, not careful out of real concern.

Our DD is a frontline health worker called back early from maternity leave to work and the nursery her 3 year old attends plus her baby was due to start is closing. The staff were in tears yesterday because it sounds as if it is permanent and not only has DD lost her childcare but the lovely girls have lost their jobs.
So I will be doing full days of childcare when she works. I'm in my 60s and healthy -well I think so but if I get the virus we will see - But what choice to we have.Her partner could well be laid off and that would be a bigger disaster for them so needs must.I adore the LOs and it will be hard work but hopefully some days off in between shifts- so I really ought to get some sleep now to conserve energy!

Good luck washerwoman and everyone else trying to keep going, it’s just awful so much uncertainty, sometimes there is no choice we have to look after grandchildren. We will be having ours as long as needed. I’ve been awake since 4 am worrying about it all.

Thanks Katyj.A restless night here too.It's so worrying for everyone.And whilst I will see more of our DGC I realise for grans who regularly help they will feel so frustrated at separation. Here's hoping this awful time is over soon.