How to say no without causing a family fall out

[Janerains]

My dad wants the whole family to go to a certain beach at the end of the month. He is shielding and hasn’t been dealing with it very well as he misses us and his grandchildren. He gets very very upset when we say that as things stand we won’t be able to do it. However he has kept on at us and my 2 brothers and their families have said yes they will go. That’s already 10 people. With DP and I and our kids that will be 14. We are now under immense pressure from my family to go.

My issues are that a)this is against the rules at present to gather with more than 6 people. B) some of the kids are toddlers and have to be watched like a hawk to ensure any kind of social distancing c) the beach is an hour drive away. They want to go all day so at some point we would need to use public toilets- including dad who is shielding.

They just won’t take no for an answer and I’m running out of things to say to them.

What would you do? And how would you explain it to a family who just won’t listen?

I'd go, but as this isn't want you want to do I doubt that's remotely useful as an answer.

You can't control other people's reactions. The consequences of "no" may be unpleasant but you can't control that. You decide what's most important to you, accept every choice has a cost and a benefit, and live with it.

Just as they cannot make you think going is worth it, you cannot make them think going is not worth it and I don't believe you should try.

“No, we’re trying to follow the guidelines and that’s just 6 people at the moment. When things ease up we’d love to do something with everyone.”