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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:
Lotsalotsagiggles · 29/10/2020 20:01

Could you swap houses and your sister rest at yours and you and hubby move to hers to look after the kids for a few dats?

HelloDulling · 29/10/2020 20:01

Ask her if she would like you to move for a few days. Don’t wait for her to ask.

ChasingRainbows19 · 29/10/2020 20:03

I wouldn’t care what the exact rules were I would help either of my sisters out if I could. She is sick they need care, no police or official person would argue that.

I’d move in if possible then isolate with them until she is better and finish isolation at home if needed. You can still work from home, it won’t be easy but manageable. Wear masks if needed and good hygiene, she could mostly isolate in her room if needed and get lots of rest.

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Families
Airyfairymarybeary · 29/10/2020 20:24

Have them in the house but keep it well ventilated with windows and doors open.

Blueberries0112 · 29/10/2020 20:28

@isadoradancing123

Oh yes, like its that easy, find a friend who has recovered to watch them, ................some people live in cloud cuckoo land
Oh stop, her sister caught it from someone. Chances are there were people who caught it before she did and recovered.
Blueberries0112 · 29/10/2020 20:31

Beside, her sister may very well be a high risk, I would look for a friend first if I was a high risk

minipie · 29/10/2020 20:41

You can become a “childcare bubble” without moving in. You just have to act as if you are part of the same household, ie you and your DP will both need to isolate for 14 days from when she showed symptoms, same as the children. You already said you’re happy to do this so I don’t see the problem.

Also if either of the DC starts showing symptoms and then tests positive, you’ll need to do another 14 days from their symptoms. And, obviously, if you or DP show symptoms you’d need to test and isolate if positive.

ThirstyGhost · 29/10/2020 20:42

If this was my sister (and I wasn't at high risk/underlying health condition) I'd probably move in to help. I'd be leaving my partner with our kids but I think that'd be the only option. If she seems to be just about coping ok the other thing - though this depends on money - is to drop prepared/cooked meals and supplies at the door and just keep checking in to monitor the situation. Does she have any underlying health issues which placer her at higher risk of complications?

This takes me right back to being a single mum in a one bedroom flat and getting the worst food poisoning of my life. V. different I know. I had no family nearby to help. A friend kindly took over a couple of days in thank God, and I ended up in hospital on a drip after that. I'm so glad your sister has you in her life.

Silvershimmering · 29/10/2020 20:47

Ignore bubbles, you can absolutely care for anyone in need

BexR · 29/10/2020 20:48

I would move in and help her. Tell her to stay in her room and wipe down bathroom after she has been.

I wouldn't wait for her to ask either.

Guineapigbridge · 29/10/2020 20:54

Get her to move into your house. You move into hers. Work in the evenings - the kids ought to be in bed by 7pm at that age.

PrincessBuggerPants · 29/10/2020 20:55

'Informal' childcare arrangements are allowed in all Tiers from what I understand.

Christmasfairy2020 · 29/10/2020 21:03

Yes you can take the children as well. Dominic cummings

TidyOmlette · 29/10/2020 21:06

@Onjnmoeiejducwoapy

Don’t be daft of course it can. How on earth do you think council carers do it? They look after covid positive patients who are at home and then go to other clients and then onto their own homes. They do this with a mask, gloves and a crappy white apron.

TidyOmlette · 29/10/2020 21:14

Some of the ideas on this thread are bonkers!

  • find a recently recovered friend?? You do know some people are catching cv19 twice.
  • phone the surgery?? What on earth can they suggest??

These are bloody children with a sick parent. Another adult should be in the house for safety. I certainly wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I left them to it and something awful happened.

Redburnett · 29/10/2020 21:22

My advice would be not to ask random internet strangers, and consider what is in the best interests of the children and your sister. Do whatever you can to minimise the risk of catching it yourself (mask, ventilation if indoors, hand washing, surface cleaning etc), and make sure your sister gets medical treatment if needed (an oximeter is useful to check oxygen levels if she has develops breathing problems). I hope she recovers quickly. Some people seem more obsessed with their own interpretation of the rules and guidelines than in applying common sense when there are young children who need looking after. My DCs are now adults but I really feel for families with children - this pandemic is creating so many difficulties, even without being ill.

ItsNotPinkItsSalmon · 29/10/2020 21:23

@Guineapigbridge

Get her to move into your house. You move into hers. Work in the evenings - the kids ought to be in bed by 7pm at that age.
Hmm not everything is that straight forward you know..
Blueberries0112 · 29/10/2020 21:37

First of all, I feel watching kids in her backyard is not a good idea. I figured she may be afraid of catching it , this is why I suggested the mother can check and see if any of her friends can watch her kids since they recovered and may not be afraid of it. And yes they can wear a mask to avoid catching it again, and if that does not work out, then her sister can help her the best she can while avoiding the virus. It's another an option since other people already expressed other options

NeonGenesis · 29/10/2020 21:46

I would go with your current plan of watching them in the garden. If it's not working you could always just take then inside.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 29/10/2020 21:47

Where is their dad? He should be taking responsibility for them if necessary.

If your sister is too ill to care for them then arrangements need to be made. But if she isn't too badly affected then I would try to support her during the day but she won't need you to move in

Arthersleep · 29/10/2020 21:49

Yes, you could watch them for a couple of hours each day, or take them to the park for an afternoon. It's pretty safe being outside. And at least drop off meals etc.

Delatron · 29/10/2020 22:08

I think it sounds like she just needs a few hours rest per day. Where she doesn’t have to worry about the kids.

So yes I would go sit in the garden while they play. If you need to take them to the toilet keep all windows open inside, ventilation is key.

Then hopefully your sister can muddle through the rest of the day with films and going to bed when they do? I wouldn’t up your exposure unless she really is incapable of looking after them?

I’d also cook/ take round lots of meals that she can just bung in the oven?

Delatron · 29/10/2020 22:09

Good idea to take them out to the park. Then. She could get some peace and quiet. You could take them to lunch too.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/10/2020 22:17

Good idea to take them out to the park

The kids are likely carrying it. Taking the kids out and about in public would likely spread it.

NeonGenesis · 29/10/2020 22:26

I'm not sure she'd be allowed to take them out? Surely they have stay in if someone in their household has covid? That's the rule where I am but I'm not in the UK and I know everywhere is doing things differently.

I agree with the PP who suggested taking food round- yes! If I was in your sister's shoes I would bloody love for someone to bring a lasagna or something that I could just throw in the oven, and it would probably do for lunch the next day too