Hugging grandchildren

[CamelliaCamel]

Just wondered if I am being over the top. Grandparents are living like corona doesn’t exist and are out and about all the time. We are meeting them next week and they have asked to cuddle the children (5 and 2). I have said no as none of us have been cuddling anyone since March but I sense they are unhappy. Anyone else still sticking to no hugging or am I being OTT and have lost perspective?

Both of our sets od grandparents have refused to see us becuase of the coronavirus risk. We live too far away for a socially distanced walk and would need to stay overnight. I don't suppose we will see them until next summer at the earliest.

I would think most people are hugging their children and grandchildren.

I would respect their wishes personally. Maybe they just want to make the most of their remaining active years (especially given a vaccine might be another twelve months off)? Maybe they think its worth taking the incredibly small risk of a hug? Maybe they've weighed up the pros & cons and decided to prioritise other types of well-being (emotional, mental) over Covid avoidance? I know older people who've thoughtfully made that choice and I personally respect it. Its the choice I would make myself.

My mum has occasionally looked after my little boy while I was at work and he has been going to nursery other days. Because of this we decided they could hold/cuddle him as they'd be changing nappies etc and he's getting picked up by the staff at nursery anyway so they might as well.

My DC are young and can’t socially distance (it would distress my 3 year old to be told she couldn’t get close to her nanny); the risk is more to the grandparents than children so I’m letting grandparents decide what they’re comfortable with.

Ive allowed the grandparents to cuddle DS. One set isn't getting any younger and it almost seems meaner to allow them to meet up and expect them to stay away from him. I imagine it would be much worse if he was a toddler and he actually wanted to go and hug them.

We have been looking after our dgs a few days a week for the last few weeks. It is almost impossible not to cuddle him - at 2 years old he doesn't understand that he can't cuddle his grandparents and it would be cruel to refuse him when he asks. Having said that, apart from contact with our D's, dil and dgs, we are not seeing anyone else, not our other DC, not our parents or siblings. We are not going to the shops or pubs, so it's probably a bit different if your parents are having more contact with others.

One set yes
Other set no. Spend 2/3 days a week in pub. Meet up with lots of others- not distanced. Once we say yes there will also be good sharing etc to contend with- so it’s no for now.

@SomewhereEast if the GPs are living like corona doesn’t exist they are probably more of a risk to the children. If one is 5 I assume they will be going to school soon, and could take the virus with them to school.

Nope, I'm hugging family and so is DS.

Mine are teenagers and not hugging grandparents. I haven't hugged my parents (or anyone except DH, DC and the dog) since March. And I normally hug 50% of the people I meet.

Mine are teenagers and not hugging grandparents. I don’t want either party feeling guilty if the other happens to catch it.