Anybody still looking after Grandchildren ?

We had DGS last Saturday for a last visit as his parents had a meeting to attend. DD2 has already banned contact with DGD2 and we’ve cancelled a much looked forward to planned visit to DD1 and our other DGDs.

I’m just so glad none of our DC now rely on GPs for childcare.

I only do a bit of ad hoc caring now and will do my last one this week.

Morning Katjy. We too had our GC over the weekend and due to have them Fri of this week as usual. DD has already said we have to take care of ourselves BUT what do they do? So far DD's work has not made any plans to work from home(it is possible) and SIL is self employed - does he have to close his business? What happens to the 17month old and 3 year old. It's truly a time that I just don't know what to do. DH is 69 and I'm 66 but DH does have some underlying problems i.e. diabetes and quite vulnerable, just don't know what to do for the best.

business as usual for us until we are told otherwise. that's two full days with a preschooler and three school collections. we are mid sixties.

My GS doesn’t want me to go to his house, and I’ve had to ask my GD 15yrs to not come to the house after school I feel mean but her high school is huge and I don’t want to risk her bringing into the house.

The family are all keeping away, chatting every day though.

That will wear off??

We've had two staying over the weekend, school pickup for another 3 twice a week and birthday tea for the baby girl who will be one tomorrow. We're both in good health and business as usual feels the right way forward at the moment.

We have been told by our son he isn't allowing us to help over Easter which we usually do. He is worried about us. All feels rather peculiar.

We saw husband's 3 grown up ones and our 10 and 5 year old over the week-end. It may be a few months before things return to normal with regular contact

I had my two youngest 5 year old on Saturday night. We are playing it by ear but have a contingency plan should schools close. Their mother I’d fortunately in a job where she can work from home. All her work travel has already been cancelled.

If the children are not at school they will self-isolate for a week and if all seems well, I’ll go to stay at my daughter’s. She will drive to my house so she has peace to work and drive back later. At least that is the plan.

She asked me what if she became very ill. We agreed to cross that bridge if necessary and not to worry in the meantime.

It’s a wait and see game and do our best to stay healthy. Washing hands etc.

Just finished looking after our 2 grandsons for 10 days. DS insists now we don’t see them until it is safe. I felt awful when our 9 year old asked when he was going to see us again and I waffled on not giving him a straight answer.

If the schools close we have suggested DS gets in a tutor for the boys in the mornings, so that he can work, and we will pay half. Whether this is feasible or not I don’t know. Otherwise without supervision (DS works in garden office) they will become IPad zombies ?

Yes I feel it’s a wait and see time.Dil said she may be allowed to work from home, all to be decided today, ds has a meeting today,but he’s in a job that can’t be done at home, I’m in work tomorrow, and have a very elderly mum as well, I’ve advised her not to go out shopping, which she can’t do without help anyway, but she’s so stubborn, she’ll ask someone else to take her. What can you do.

Our daughters decided we aren't doing our usual day care. We're both over 70 and tick a number of the boxes that put us in high risk categories. I feel very sad and today we'd usually have two toddlers and pick up two four year olds from nursery and reception this afternoon.
I can't imagine 4 months without seeing them. We're hoping to meet up at the park when the weather is less awful.

No I’ve stopped seeing mine. I have some N95 masks on order (apparently they’re the only ones that work) but, due to demand, it will be a week or more before they arrive. Once they’re here I will see them whilst wearing the mask. They’re boys and will find it very funny! I’m not risking it before.

We’ve had our first week without. My children were concerned about us and insisted on making other arrangements. I’m so relieved my family get it.

Ment to to say DGD.

Yes KatyJ I look after my 4 DGC at various times to fit in with their parents shift patterns and my own work . I also do a share of the school runs for my 10 year old DGS who’s school is a quite a long way from his home. Not planning on changing anything at the moment . I just hope they don’t close the schools or things could get very difficult indeed .

Have not seen our GC since the half term holiday.
Mothering Sunday is usually a family day but I don't think it will happen this year.
I don't know what will happen during the Easter holidays.

We actually have our 12 year old grandchildren living with us at the moment so don't have any choice. I would personally
like the schools to close so that we all self isolate together.

Yes, still looking after 2 year old all day Monday, with a sleepover on Sunday nights. Also 5 year old collected from school 1 day a week. The family are all due to come to me on Sunday for Mothers Day meal. Will carry on as usual, until told not to. We are only early 60s and both fit and well (although hubby has had heart problems, but is fine now. He loves the GC coming and doesn't want to self isolate yet).

Yes have a GS with us today.

Schools not closed so carrying on as normal. DD1 teacher so has to go to work, DD2 nurse so likewise. Have 23 month old 3 days, 3yo and 6yo 2 days with school drop off. 3yo not yet at nursery. We are early 60s with no health problems. Our holiday from Easter in Australia and Bali has been cancelled so DH trying to get money back.

This country will come to a full stop without all you lovely grandparents. It’s sensible to keep yourselves well so you can go back to helping when this is all over which I predict will be sooner than we think.

Stay calm, be sensible and carry on. We are Brits nothing daunts us. Be positive.

It can’t last for ever China has closed the new hospitals it built because there was no longer any need.

Am still picking our Grandchildren up from school. Our daughter is really worried about us doing so but unless she or our SIL can work from home there is no alternative and that seems unlikely at present. Not sure what will happen if the schools close though. I think she is more worried about it than we are as her Dad is over 70. There is no easy solution