To tell DH that if he wants to do this, he does it at his own risk?

[LondonUnited]

DH and I are both critical workers. He works FT, in London, I work 80% from home but am very recently back from mat leave. It’s working ok currently, we have two primary age children who are going to school a few days a week, plus a baby and toddler who are both going to a childminder.

He wants to go camping in the summer with our oldest DD and DS, leaving me with our baby and toddler.

HOWEVER. Whatever the government says, I’m not sure camping is a low risk activity from a Covid perspective, because of the shared toilets, washing facilities etc.

I have said if he wants to go, I will look after our baby and toddler while he is away, but I really don’t want to deal with the consequences if he goes and he or one of the older kids catches something, gets a fever, and then we all have to self isolate for two weeks.

I know if this happens he will say he has meetings, can’t miss work etc and will leave me holding the baby (literally) and juggling three other children whilst trying to WFH.

So - AIBU to say if he wants to do this, he does it at his own risk, by which I mean if they catch something and we all have to self isolate, he deals with all childcare during my working hours.

(For the avoidance of doubt he thinks this is wildly unreasonable and he would only be prepared to do his ‘fair share’, and I should do the rest)

You aren’t being unreasonable at all. If he doesn’t want to deal with the fall out he shouldn’t take them away.

If he or one of the older kids catches Covid, you will all have to isolate for 2 weeks - him included. Or is he planning to go to work regardless?

Why is he even planning this when we have no idea what the regulations will be even next month??!

You know he won’t deal with the consequences. You know it. No point either of you pretending otherwise.

Yes, we would all have to self isolate. However, in practice what would happen is that he would disappear to his (home) office leaving me to handle the kids whilst he does conference calls...

Chandler - yes, am sure you are right

I was with him until you mentioned the shared amenities, but no. I live in a seaside town and all the public toilets are shut for miles around for this very reason. It would be a breeding ground.

If he’s not prepared to deal with the consequences he shouldn’t take the risk in the first place. Also he sounds like a bit of a dick sorry

Ask him to consider a camping trip next summer when all of the family can participate.
Otherwise let him take the children camping in the back garden this summer ( but don’t let him in to use the loo or cooker).

YANBU, but

I'd be more worried about them coming home sunburned, constipated, overtired, and with bug bites and upset tummies due to too many s'mores and DH's camping menu of choice. Bears and irritable moose with new babies are also a concern.

However, guessing your campground are a bit more crowded..? We have some with shared facilities that DD and I use (DH, DS are a non-issue), but the hand sanitizer flows like wine and you can always haul in a gallon or two of bottled water to keep up with the washing.

Maybe when they are older. Backyard camping sounds like a great idea!