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AIBU?

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Not to tell DD her grandad is really ill

29 replies

Milly16 · 04/05/2026 21:16

DD 16 is about to start her GCSEs. Her grandad has been ill for a few months and has recently really deteriorated. She knows he's a bit poorly but not how bad. I don't know he'll be alive once her GCSEs are finished. I know she'd be devastated not to have the chance to say goodbye, though in any event he doesnt really want visitors. She is already extremely stressed about her exams and only just coping and i'm worried finding out will completely derail her. AIBU not to tell her how ill her grandad is until her exams are over?

OP posts:
Mischance · 04/05/2026 21:26

You must tell her.

Superstar22 · 04/05/2026 21:26

Please tell her. Her exams might provide distraction anyway. But she needs to know she can trust you to tell her things she needs to know. Any child over the age of about 10 really does need to know these things (all things being equal).

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 04/05/2026 21:21

It's best to tell her asap because if he dies you won't be able to hide it and it'll be worse tell her now, spending a few last hours with her grandad probably won't derail her exams finding out he died the night before an exam might 16 is far too old to hide the truth. It's painful and I'm sorry but tell her asap

Roads · 04/05/2026 21:20

You need to let her know. Should the worst happen you can't just drop that he's passed away on her after she's finished. GCSEs last weeks surely at some point during this time she will want to go and see him?