Childcare

[P0rtnahapp1e]

I look after two of my grandchildren, aged four and five, five days a week, taking them to and from school and entertaining them at weekends.

Another daughter has pointed out that grandparents like myself and my husband, are advised to have as little contact as possible with children. (He has COPD, and I have AF, HF and DCM.)

I hadn’t thought about it, and I know my daughter and her husband would find life difficult without childcare.

Anyone have any views on this? Or anyone in the same position and made a decision one way or the other?

[stevejb1810]

I’m guessing there are many grandparents asking much the same question around the country at the moment. The concern is that while you are no greater risk of catching the disease than the rest of the population, your risk of complications should you get it, is higher than the average. If I heard correctly, the information on TV recently, it is not yet fully understood what impact children have on the spread of the virus so we are working in something of an unknown. That said, if it were me in your position and with your underlying health conditions, I would be erring on the side of caution and stopping providing the healthcare - hard though that might be on your children!

[Hidden]

First of all what beautiful grandchildren you have ❤️ This is a difficult question that I’ve thought about myself and spoken to my daughters. They both agreed that it’s important that it’s important that I keep my distance until things settle down. Try not to stress because I think that the decision will be taken out of our hands very soon when we are instructed to go into isolation.

In the meantime why not ask your doctor or practice nurse because advice from them should be taken seriously . Wishing you all the best 💜

[Shar28]

Hi, it’s a difficult one isn’t it. My husband has DCM and asthma, I have asthma and we look after our grandchildren aged 10 and 4 all week around school and on weekends too. If we don’t, mum and dad (who are divorced) can’t work...that means no money for the mortgage/rent and bills etc. A childminder takes over several days a week after Easter, which will help.

But what happens if schools close? Do the children move in with us? If care is shared then so are the germs. But if they don’t, where will the money to pay their parents bills come from if they can’t work?

I don’t think there’s any single right answer and we’ll all have to muddle through as best as we can. Good luck to everyone in the same situation finding a solution that works for them and their families.