Grandparents, Covid and babysitting

[Indigowind]

Hi guys I’m just interested your points of view regarding something that has been on my mind ...

So, during the whole of lockdown I have kept my 6 year old away from her grandparents (she has only two grandparents both 63 one with no underlying health issues and one with a catalogue of them). We had window visits etc but I have been extremely careful with interaction as have they. However, during this time my brother (43) moved back home to be with them - weird but fair enough I thought. As lockdown measured eased we relaxed things a little - just more outdoor visits really, anyway, I have noticed that despite everything going on it turns out they have been out shopping left right and centre - and socialising - returns to work etc and more meet ups to catch up with friends.

So my question is this - I seem to be the only one playing it safe and if I suggest babysitting even for an afternoon I am met with reluctance ‘because she is back at school’. Yet, they continue to go shopping - clothes shopping and furniture shopping. Surely exposure is exposure?

I’m happy to play things safe and certainly wouldn’t like to bring Covid to their door I just don’t understand why they won’t offer to babysit or see their only grandchild but will go out shopping at least 3 times a week etc

Am I mad or just tired of it all?

Could it be that they can keep their distance while out and about but can't if they babysit ?

I don’t think so - they go to congested shops - ikea and the like. It’s odd - they’ll get their groceries delivered but still go shopping for other things. Maybe your right maybe they are more socially distant 🤷🏼‍♀️

I guess they have an element of control over where they choose to go, the precautions they choose to take, and maintaining social distance etc, but seeing someone who has been in an environment like a school they don't have that same element of control over it.

Could they babysit when Your child is already asleep?

Well I do understand that but two of the three of them have been mixing with other adults who also have children going to school. Maybe I am being unrealistic and the whole situation has just gotten to me. I have felt very alone during the whole experience and just ‘not part or included’ in the family. I dare say I’m also a bit resentful as I haven’t been out socialising or shopping in order to keep them safe. I know that sounds terrible. Maybe I’m just projecting my own frustrations 🤔

They don’t want to and you need to respect that. Shops involve masks, distancing (hopefully) and an element of control of the situation whereas caring for a child doesn’t. In the worst case scenario you could end up with your child knowing they inadvertently passed on a virus that killed their grandparent or caused them irreversible harm. Don’t risk burdening them with that, especially when you are an adult who is fully aware of how vulnerable one of the GPs are.