When will I get to see my family?

[AgnesWestern]

My parents and rest of my family live 200 miles away and I haven’t seen them since Jan/Feb time. They’re missing out so much on my DS’s development. I really want to see my parents but they’d have to stay here or stay in an air B&B or something if they did come up and vice versa for us. And obviously neither of those things are currently permitted. This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing them

[MyLittleFishDontCry]

My friends in the British hotel trade are saying they’ve been told late July for opening.

[Mammy99]

I'm in the same boat with a newborn and two year old. None of the grandparents have met their new grandchild. In Scotland things seem to be more strict and moving slower too
I think they need to start allowing more now

[EnlightenedOwl]

It's quite worrying how lockdown was implemented so quickly but being released very slowly. We are never going to recover while it drags on like this

[OfUselessBooks]

Feeling the same. Our families are 100 miles away and missing their grandchildren so much. We've all 100% stuck to the rules, but I know they're getting to the point now where they just want to see us. They're all old/getting old and I know they feel that it's getting to the point where they'd rather take the risk and have time with the kids. It's the big elephant in the room in my opinion...who cares about shopping when we can't see our families?

[Racoonworld]

Really hope it’s going to be in July after the next review. Gives a couple more weeks for the deaths/cases to get lower but then I think it would be wrong not to allow it after so long

[ginsparkles]

I suspect the first thing to come for over night hospitality will be self catering accommodation, because that's pretty enclosed for one household to use, and will have a deep clean before another one takes over, no shared facilities.

[mightbealittlebitmad]

Why don't you just go and see them? I have the same issue although mine are closer. Due to the fact I have a child in school I won't be going until August but I'll be going regardless.

[starfish4]

It might be worth doing some research for a meeting point midway where toilets are open, take a picnic as we can meet up outside in groups of six. I know it'll be a long journey for a a few hours, but my friend and her DH drove to see her Mum over 100 miles away.

[IgnoranceIsStrength]

Exactly the same 200 miles away. Half way not really an option as would still be 4/5 hours of driving in one day and the youngest would not cope with that...we are desperate to see them. They live by the sea so we usually go down most half terms and have missed 3 now

[Hugglespuffed]

I know it isn't ideal but I would honestly just find a point halfway. My parents live about 100 miles away (so the same as you driving halfway to meet your family) and I had never before considered doing the journey there and back in one day but I definitely am now. I miss them like crazy. Unfortunately they are in Wales so sadly not an option still at the moment. But if your family is in England (and you are) I'd have met half way as soon as they allowed that rule!!

[Northlondonmum1980]

Meeting outside somewhere halfway seems an option. Although not ideal. Hopefully in the next review......!

[Aurora791]

Fingers crossed for the next review! I don’t care about going to next or primark, I just want to see my mum! My baby has spent over half her life now in lockdown, and I’m desperate to see my parents. My partner is a key worker so I’ve been very much left holding the baby as well as homeschooling my dss. They’re over 300 miles away so meeting half way isn’t an option but fingers crossed for some good news soon!

[ohthegoats]

Meet half way.

My partner took our daughter to meet his parents half way - each driving an hour and a half to do it. They had a nice day out, they kept away from each other, but saw each other and felt better.

[Notlostjustexploring]

We're 400 miles apart.

We're giving it until mid-July, then my parents are coming to visit, and to hell with the rules. Both my kids and my parents are becoming more upset about the separation, before even considering my spiraling depression.

I've absolutely had it. I understand the reasons and the need to be cautious, and the fact that the order of loosening restrictions are to benefit society as a whole and not the individual. Logically I understand. But those in power seem to have forgotten that we are humans with feelings and not just numbers and that we'd rather see family over over pretty much anything else.

[AgnesWestern]

Thanks everyone. We have considered meeting halfway, but my DS (2 years) really struggles in the car.
If it goes on too much longer we’ve decided that they will just come here and stay the night, even though it’s against the rules, as my mental health is really suffering.

[sunlight81]

Airbnb are open from 5th July

[AgnesWestern]

@sunlight81 is that a definite? I can’t find the info anywhere that it’s been confirmed?

[sunlight81]

If u try and book they will take bookings from this time.

[TabbyMumz]

Dont mean this to sound mean, but they live 200 Mile's away?! Havent you already sort of made the decision that they wont see much of your childs development? Normally how many times would they have seen you in that time? Weekly? Monthly?

[UntamedShrew]

My parents live 200 miles away too and I feel exactly the same OP, although my children are older.
Tabby, for info before lockdown we saw my parents every six weeks. It was quick enough on the train for us to go there just for a weekend and as they are retired when they came to us (we would alternate) they would stay for a week and enjoy London galleries and museums too. I can’t see any of that happening for a while now.

I’m hopeful I can get an Air BNB near them in July but would like some more certainty before making a booking.

[allaglow]

I've thought of the meeting halfway arrangement (DS lives 3 hours drive away, and the single household bubble rule doesn't apply).
But there's nowhere open to visit: can't meet for a pub lunch,meeting outside is too weather dependent, and toilet openings unpredictable.
But hopefully, we're on the better side now, and restrictions will be further relaxed soon.

[IgnoranceIsStrength]

To reply to Tabby we usually see them every 6 weeks or so. Each half term and usually twice in summer holidays. they spend quality time with the children and while not able to provide any childcare love seeing them. Mine were in tenerife just before half term in Feb and got delayed coming back due to the early corona outbreak. So we havent seen them since Christmas which is the longest ever gap

[AgnesWestern]

@TabbyMumz Before all this, we saw them once every 6 weeks, sometimes once a month.