Grandparents

If grandparents are fit and healthy they should be allowed to see their grandchildren, especially if they had seen them on a regular basis such as childminding, after all children are being allowed to travel between homes where parents do not live together and grandparents often see children more frequently

Why the contribution is important

Seeing grandchildren, even for a short time can only be good for mental health

by margarett on May 05, 2020 at 06:05PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.6
Based on: 49 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Scosha May 05, 2020 at 18:40

    Also not all grandparents are elderly or vulnerable

  • Posted by Interfaithscotland May 05, 2020 at 18:41

    As a grandparent of 7 I support this idea - however 6 of my grandchildren live in England - would cross border visits be allowed perhaps once a month and only to the household of the grandchildren. Many grandparents don't now live near their children or grandchildren but are used to seeing them regularly - this may difficult to accommodate but could be manageable with tight criteria in place.

  • Posted by TreeGarland May 05, 2020 at 18:55

    I absolutely think this is crucial. Families who rely on Grands support and help must be allowed to see each other.
    Not allowing contact is so bad for family life and continuity.

  • Posted by Maryannelawson May 05, 2020 at 18:56

    I would also love to see my grandchildren but their parents don’t want to expose me to any risk. If nobody in the household is going out to work and observing social distancing then surely it must be safe to see the children, especially outdoors?

  • Posted by Jacksmh May 05, 2020 at 18:59

    If grandparents provide a key support to working parents how can the latter return to work if that help cannot be allowed especially if schools/nurseries will only take children back on a phased basis . Surely it would make sense for flexibility within a close family group ( own children/grandchildren) if none of the group were being shielded .

  • Posted by Woodlej May 05, 2020 at 19:01

    In addition, If schools and nurseries are not opening soon parents with young children will require assistance with childcare if they are returning to work or even working from home

  • Posted by pamwaugh May 05, 2020 at 19:05

    Our grandchild was born on 23 March. Prior to his birth we self isolated for a week so that we would be able to see him unfortunately lockdown was introduced and we have not been able to see him. We have not been out our village and have not met up with anyone. We feel we are safe to go and meet our grandson for the first time as we have self isolated. By driving through and going straight into their house we are not at any risk to them and they have self isolated since coming out of hospital so they are no risk to us.
    This is our first grandchild and we have already missed out on the first 6 weeks of his life and be able to support first time parents.

  • Posted by Norm1 May 05, 2020 at 19:06

    My grandchild lives in Fife and I live in Edinburgh which is not too far to drive so surely I should be able to do this.

  • Posted by CassieA212 May 05, 2020 at 19:09

    Many grandparents in good health either a) ignoring the initial guidance or b) distraughtly separated from their families and isolated. Some common sense guidance needed here.

  • Posted by carolebaskinisguiltyy May 05, 2020 at 19:14

    this is so important, i have nt seen my grandchildren for years

  • Posted by ajan May 05, 2020 at 19:28

    My husband is from the Netherlands where they have had an "intelligent lockdown"

    Right from the start they have been allowed to meet with 3 people outside their household (in or outside) whether that is friends or family and with no time limit. This seems very sensible to me and as someone above said, could stop people breaking the rules. They have had far fewer deaths than the UK proportionally.

    I feel that these bubbles would be a good first step and relieve pressure on people suffering from loneliness, on grandparents missing their adult children and grandchildren, and on parents struggling to cope with children at home. It could alleviate the feelings of uselessness some of us feel, be good for mental help and perhaps most importantly allow friends or family to offer support to vulnerable families and children.

    I am not sure if it makes a difference being in or outdoors

  • Posted by Pathaikney May 05, 2020 at 19:37

    As grandparents we have have had regular childcare commitment since they were born. There parents are both trying to work from home and home school, an impossible ask. Why can’t we stay in a small social bubble to help them with there work commitments and everyone’s mental health?

  • Posted by Pandamamma May 05, 2020 at 19:41

    To be able to return to work without full or even part nursery availability I will need to rely on the help of my healthy parents to look after my 2 year old, without grandparent support for childcare there will be a fair number of households out their that will struggle to continue or return to work any time soon, with the potential of employers sacking or disciplining employees who are not able to work due to issues with childcare

  • Posted by MD May 05, 2020 at 20:20

    Many grandparents and other are relatives provide regular childcare for families. Why is this considered more risky than sending a child to a hub nursery where they may well he cared for by people of a similar age to their grandparents?

  • Posted by Rhondamae May 05, 2020 at 21:21

    Children and grandchildren must be able to see each other. Responsible parents will curtail activities with other social groups to protect the health of children and grandparents. And they also want to see their own mum and dad too.

  • Posted by Pinkucaro May 06, 2020 at 12:02

    It’s so important for grandchildren to be able to see their grandparents

  • Posted by jrob May 06, 2020 at 15:33

    Completely agree. Not only for the sake of the grandparents but to help out parents too.

  • Posted by Pamela55 May 07, 2020 at 03:20

    Would it not be the case that if there were a safe time for grandparents to see grandchildren, it would be while we are all in stay at home mode rather than after the children return to school and mix more?

    Maybe let grandparents and grandchildren get together before then and cool it off for a bit after to assess the science, then issue proper guidance based on the 'after school' data?

  • Posted by harviej May 08, 2020 at 12:31

    I have 5 grandchildren aged between 5 and 12. They live 20 miles away. We live in a village and have a large, usually empty park behind our house. Surely they could come and run around there and we could see them.

  • Posted by harviej May 08, 2020 at 12:34

    I can put up with no holiday and no meals out, but I CANNOT COPE WITH OUT SEEING MY GRANDCHILDREN. THIS IS BREAKING MY HEART AND I SEE NO MORE POINT IN CONTINUING TO LIVE

  • Posted by YG May 10, 2020 at 20:17

    Understand that as a demographic older and people with compromised health should be offered a proportionate level of additional protection / support. However, the characterisation of 'grand parents' as necessarily being in those categories is patronising, naïve and detached from reality. Furthermore, the impact of this is an often unnecessary detachment of children from those who may be essential and primary caregivers on a day to day basis, and parents, sometimes lone parents, from an invaluable source of support. This is counter productive, and may produce many serious unintended consequences. This should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

  • Posted by WendyG May 11, 2020 at 22:02

    This is the thing all grandparents want to do - they've generally kept to the rules and avoided going out, but undoubtedly many will stop following the guidelines if the phases of lock-down don't include this. Far better that risk-minimising guidelines are issued as to how they might see grandchildren as safely as possible, than that they go ahead and visit anyway, without any risk-mitigation.
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