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Original poster

Sister tested positive. Can she put her DC in the garden for me to watch?

138 replies

PourOutTheTea · 29/10/2020 17:57

My sister sounds v. poorly :( Her DC are 5 and 3 so not old enough to do much unsupervised.

Could she put them in the garden for me to watch? I would come in through the back gate and try my best to distance from them but again they're 5 and 3.

OP posts:
bigchris · 29/10/2020 18:19

They can be outside, my 2 and 4 year old have been outside all day pretty much in the pouring rain; they love it and with the right clothes in didn’t get wet

Sounds lovely Grin

TidyOmlette · 29/10/2020 18:19

Go in and look after them properly. Get your sister to stay in bed and you can wear a mask and clean appropriately. It can be done when your sensible.

Original poster
PourOutTheTea · 29/10/2020 18:20

Hmmm I live with DP but we're both wfh. Not possible for them to move in with us (unless in truly dire straits obv).

They have all in one rain suit things and wellies and the forecast isn't too grim for tomorrow. I was going to bring a Thermos picnic and new garden toys.

OP posts:

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bigchris · 29/10/2020 18:20

@Scootingthebreeze hope you get better soon x

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 29/10/2020 18:27

@TidyOmlette

Go in and look after them properly. Get your sister to stay in bed and you can wear a mask and clean appropriately. It can be done when your sensible.
It really can’t! When someone is self isolating with coronavirus, people should really not be in the house and touching things and then going out to potentially spread it. Plus the children may have it.

It either needs to be a distance, or all in and self isolate too.

Blankiefan · 29/10/2020 18:32

You're taking a risk in catching it but if you're comfortable, I'd try to reduce this as much as possible. Get your sister to stay in one room whilst you're there - including a bucket so she doesn't use the loo.

When you arrive, wear a mask and gloves and clean a room you can be with the kids, and the bathroom and kitchen. Bag up your ppe, clean hands and then look after the kids.

You could still catch it from the kids but apparently its less likely.

I don't see what else can be done unless you can take some annual leave and have the kids for a week maybe?

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 29/10/2020 18:32

I’d move in and self isolate with the children or take them back with me even if it meant sleeping on the sofa or in a sleeping bag. Either way the children need to isolate for the two weeks.

CovidClara · 29/10/2020 18:32

Go and move into her house
Buy an oximeter

Imagine if she deteriorates rapidly and her children find her. People with Cv19 shouldn't be in the house without another adult. .

Handsoffisback · 29/10/2020 18:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Blankiefan · 29/10/2020 18:33

you and DH should also self isolate if you do this.

Redwinestillfine · 29/10/2020 18:36

I think you need to bite the bullet and accept you are looking after them for the day. You can spend much of it outdoors but will need to go in and take precautions. You are allowed to as childcare

Biscusting · 29/10/2020 18:37

If it was me, I’d look after the kids and just isolate myself and assume I was positive.

nimbuscloud · 29/10/2020 18:37

Who is going to put them to bed??

Hercwasonaroll · 29/10/2020 18:37

If you're WFH move into hers?

dinglethedragon · 29/10/2020 18:38

If she is a single adult you can be in a support bubble with her and look after the children. You and dh will have to self isolate at home though, so looks like you can only go between the two houses.

"Support bubbles
If you are in a single adult household – in other words, adults who live alone or with dependent children only – you can now form a support bubble with one other household. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to stay 2 metres apart. You should only form a support bubble with one other household. Once formed, you should not change the members of your support bubble. Further information about bubbling can be found in the making a support bubble with another household guidance.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

"If any member of your support bubble – either someone in your own household or one that you have formed a bubble with – develops symptoms or tests positive for coronavirus you should all follow the stay at home guidance for households and isolate for 14 days."

Flowerpot345 · 29/10/2020 18:40

I think if my sister was on her own and really poorly I would take the kids in and isolate.

Original poster
PourOutTheTea · 29/10/2020 18:40

She's powering on through but she really doesn't sound well. She only tested positive 3 days ago.

I will definitely isolate for the 14 days, just trying to work out the best way to help.

OP posts:
Jroseforever · 29/10/2020 18:41

It is simple.

Move in with her

You’re her support bubble

ivfbeenbusy · 29/10/2020 18:41

It's unreasonable to expect a 3 and 5 year old to play outside all day. This time of year their attention span is going to be a couple of hours tops if that in this weather

Sister needs to isolate in her room so you can have the run of the downstairs - take gloves and disinfect all the surfaces and handles etc

Original poster
PourOutTheTea · 29/10/2020 18:42

We're a top floor flat with no garden and no toys. Moving in would be the more sensible option I think but that's obviously up to her and not me!

OP posts:
Pringlemonster · 29/10/2020 18:42

They need to come and live with you ,if there is no one else

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 29/10/2020 18:47

Is she is a single parent then I think things should be a little different to "the rules".

If you're happy to assume the risk of catching it, then she should isolate in one room and you should go in and look after the children. They might get sick, and you might get sick but if you're willing to become part of her household and limit the risk as much as possible by keeping her in one room, then go and look after the kids.

SaltandPepperIt · 29/10/2020 18:50

Yes, of course it would be fine. She needs help, you are kindly offering it

PumpupthePumpkin · 29/10/2020 18:50

Imagine if she deteriorates rapidly and her children find her. People with Cv19 shouldn't be in the house without another adult

I had to do this,

It was the most terrifying time of my life, I cried myself to sleep because I was so scared to actually go to sleep. I suffered PTSD afterwards, I got worse around day 12.

We both slept downstairs as I couldnt get up them in the end, Im sorry to sound so bloody doom & gloom, but Im just being truthful.

I tell you what I really really needed, just someone to make some food & someone to call at 05.00 when it was bad. I nearly rang the samaritans just to hear someones voice.

She knows she has you, and she may be o.k and not get too bad, I hope you can sort something OP.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/10/2020 18:51

If she isn't well enough to supervise them from the sofa with the telly on, and there is no other adult in her house, then a proper solution needs to be found.

That means either someone moves in to care for the dc until Mum can, or the dc move in with another adult until Mum is well enough to have them back.

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