Grand Kids and viruses/bugs

[Par3]

I know this has been discussed but it seems the last few visits with our Grand Kids, both my wife who is not immunocompromised and myself have got quite sick after these visits. The visit usually mean a sleep over with our son and daughter in law as well. We may institute indoor masking and other rules, but I wonder what other people do. We love to see the Grand Kids, but we need to figure this out as we don't want too be sick all the time. I know with the summer coming, being outdoors will be easier as well. Thanks for any suggestions.

[mdsp7]

I just love them and figure time is short anyway, and little kids get sick a lot, and we all got through it. Good luck figuring it out. My kids live an ocean and a continent away, so when there is a chance to get together, I usually take it. My husband and I did get sick over Christmas, but we got better eventually. We thought it was worth it. Everyone got well.

A few weeks ago, we also allowed my husband's son and daughter-in-law to visit in spite of the fact that she had just tested positive with covid. She is a doctor and they live a long way away. The visits are too rare, and we were really looking forward to seeing them. We moved a bunch of chairs and tables outside and sat far apart. We wore masks except when eating, and I placed a "fireplace" in between us, a bunch of candles on a big big flat plate. It was so much fun, and they stayed late, bundled up against the evening chill, and no one caught Covid. We were careful washing up later.

During the peak Covid epidemic we did cancel Christmas get-together plans twice to keep all of us safer. The risk of everyone traveling seemed too high, case numbers and hospitalizations were skyrocketing.

I passed Covid back and forth with my tiny grandson last Fall, but we are all fine now, I would do it again. The other three members of their family had had Covid, and stayed fine.

Are your grandchildren nearby? If so, you need some kind of plan that lets the love in and keeps the major diseases at bay. My best wishes to you!

[Par3 in reply to mdsp7]

Thanks for the comments. We love our Grand Kids! We'll figure out a Strategy.

[SofiaDeo]

Whole house air sanitizer ideally, or portable room units. Plus masks if they are actively coughing/sneezing. Hand sanitizer if they are constantly picking/rubbing nose or eyes.

[Par3 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thanks, some great ideas!

[Thursday45]

We have the same situation. I get really anxious about seeing ours, now, and it has changed my relationship with them. One thing I do is high-fives instead of hugs. They like it, so it works well and I can wash my hands straight afterwards without anyone really noticing. I get disinfectant wipes (which I generally don’t use) so I can easily clean surfaces and handles without too much fuss. I don’t want the family to feel unwelcome.

[Par3 in reply to Thursday45]

Biggest problem is the cough in your face, need to be aware of this even when kids aren't sick. Thankfully summer is coming and we'll be outdoors mostly.

[bennevisplace]

I have four g/c. The 9-5 year-olds we allow in the house with no precautions. At that age they don't get sick very often and if they do, of course visits are off. Having said that we saw them at Easter when our son-in-law still had COVID, but outdoors only. Our 9 month-old grandson attends nursery and is a full-time virus processing unit, so we have to be a bit more careful with him.

The choice lies somewhere between living it up and living in an isolation tank. It's not just COVID we should be aware of, but I can't watch my grandchildren grow up from a safe distance, with no contact.

[MisfitK]

Do your kids know you have CLL? If they do, I'd just ask them to bring the grandkids when they aren't sniffly.

If to visit, there needs to be more significant planning (aka - If they travel and have to stay overnight with you to see you), I might choose overnight visit times for when illnesses are less of a concern - like April to October.

Christmas in July, Canadian Thanksgiving (aka Columbus day), Easter, and a new unbirthday celebration would be how I'd handle the holidays with those who need to stay with me. I'd give the other grandparents the "official" winter holidays, and settle for phone and Zoom calls then with the faraway kids and grandkids.

But, I've got some years before I need to worry about this (although maybe less than I think:)...

[Par3 in reply to MisfitK]

Yes, they know I have CLL. We were so vigilant through Covid but I'm afraid we've let our guards down with the grand kids and their sniffles and colds. Can't believe how sick my wife and I get with these related bugs/viruses from the grand kids.