Wibu to travel to parents for childcare while I am unwell?

[SickDad]

My wife and I have both started to get a nasty cough which may be the corona virus, and are concerned we might not be able to cope with our young child if we both get really sick. My instinct is to go up and stay with the parents. It's a bit of a long drive but much nicer than being stuck in London and the plan would be that if it turns out we are not that bad I would be able to have a nice holiday and work on my blog while the boss is out of the office as he is also off sick (and being a bit of a drama queen over it tbh).

I know it's strictly against the "rules" but having done my own risk assessment there is very little risk to me so I think it would be ok? I have never really liked the lockdown anyway as I think we should have been more like Sweden and let the virus run its course culling the weak creating herd immunity for the sake of the economy. Anyway I am sure nobody would notice and I will get clean away with it.

Excellent parenting to follow your instincts, not the rules, fuck the rules.

Responsible and legal you are. Crack on!

Don't take any trips out to see castles or their surroundings while you are there.

Otherwise, why not? Just be alert in case the virus ambushes you at every corner.

Gosh what else is a parent to do when they feel a bit unwell, they have a child to look after and they can’t get a nanny or an Ocado slot?

I imagine you’ve had a really busy time lately perhaps running an election campaign and going to Sage meetings, I’m sure you deserve an impromptu holiday.

It doesn’t matter about the aa man when your car breaks down, the old lady in the service station toilet queue or the fireman who might need to cut you out of the car if you crash during a paroxysm of coughing, because they’re just the ordinary people.

And don’t worry about your boss, I’m sure he either has no original ideas and can’t function without you, or has skeletons in his closet that you know all about. You’ll get no trouble from him.

I hear the air at barnard castle is very restorative this time of year!

Why stop at just one trip? Why not go twice for good measure?

Other people might just click away, @ThePianist38, but I'm glad you took the time to post.

@SickDad on a website where dads are often lacking, it's inspirational to hear from one who is not. Great stepping up to care for your family!

Sounds fine - just remember to cover your mouths when you cough during stops at service stations en route (I take it with a young child you'll need to stop a number of times). Or if service stations are a bit downmarket you could look if there are any nice villages to stop in.

I'm sure your boss will conclude that you are acting "responsibly, legally and with integrity." You are a good egg.

Make sure you keep the windows open the whole way. Don't stop for a wee - just urinate into bottles and throw them out the window at the poor plebs overriding their instincts staying at home. It'll be fine.

Hi OP jus wanted to make a suggestion that perhaps on your return it may be useful for your wife to write a totally fictitious and very syrupy misleading article. Just so that everything remains as clear as mud.
Will really help the whole "we are all in this together " message.
I also would neglect to mention your trip to any colleagues or your boss.

Makes things easier if folks can't remember pesky details!
HTH

If you go, make sure your car is in good working order and pack up enough supplies. I presume your parents have a big enough place for you not to be falling over each other and, most importantly, they are willing to have you at this time. If so, go for it and try not to stop on the way. It's possible to do that without spreading germs around, as long as everyone is scrupulous with sanitising. It's not like you are planning to travel abroad.

Definitely go. You can self isolate just as easily in your car as at home. Just make sure to shut your wife in the boot as the equivalent of self-isolating within the household.

Fine to stop at service stations, fill up with petrol, visit local attractions and let your children play in the play area or change around in the shops (it's so important to give the little darlings an outlet for their energy on a long trip, isn't it?). And no masks, gloves, hand washing or 'safety' measures, as they are just so tedious, aren't they? You need to use your common sense in these matters. Everyone knows the virus is spread by talking to people, so just be super aloof and unfriendly and they'll be fine. And if they're not, well, you have to think of yourself and your family first in these times. You'll be first in line for any ICU beds in the area, anyway... Just get your boss to ring the hospital and I'm sure they can clear someone out and free up a ventilator for you.

I was thinking of getting a plane and flying to my family for childcare help

My boss will agree as I know things about him and his colleagues so no one will complain

Of course you should go, enjoy yourself at your mums birthday party, in fact why not come back for your wives birthday, she loves bluebells?

I think yrbu op. I live only 10 miles away from the coast and some people don't think I should visit it ...and I am perfectly well. People don't want to risk me and other plebs travelling within my own area in case they catch the virus ...even though Boris is saying it's ok to travel for exercise now. You want to potentially take the virus from London to Durham [for example] when you and your family are supposed to self isolate? You don't know if you are going to get really ill yet. We plebs are told that most people get the virus mildly, so you are probably ok to look after your child. Why not wait? In the fairly unlikely event that you and your wife are both in the small percentage of people hospitalized it will probably be better to get someone else to take your child to your family while you continue to self isolate. Someone from the family could collect dc. I hear you are going to rely on younger members of your family so maybe one of them could collect dc if necessary...or you could hire a nanny to do it.

I hear you are very high up in your organisation ...so maybe you should try to lead by example in these difficult times.

They're not really rules, per se, more like guidelines.

Good plan if you don’t have anyone nearby who cares about you enough to drop food in an emergency.
Just remember to stay alert to beat coronavirus.

Your kid your rules OP. If others don’t like it sod them . It’s about doing the right thing.

If you need to stop for fuel, take a piss, or grab a snack at the service station just stay alert, cough into your elbow and protect the NHS. Hope you are all feeling much better soon.

Fuckin hilarious... Or were you going for clever?

Go for it.

Don't be a twooth trister.

Everyone will love and respect you forever and ever.

But most importantly - make sure you stay alert! As long as you’re alert I don’t see the problem 🤔

If you go on a Thursday, don't forget to pull over and clap for cannon fodder carers before going on your merry way.

You deserve it, why should you suffer just because everyone else is??
You've got enough dirt on your boss and the rest of the firm anyway. He can't sack you for it after all the underhand stuff he has made you do to get him the top job. He owes you big time.

Stay safe OP

Can you combine this Emergancy trip with your wife’s birthday? Then do it. It’s what a good parent would do.

Can you bring back a stick of rock, I did ask my best mate Dominic but as usual if its not for him it does not matter at all.

Oh gosh, you must do what is right - screw the rules ! your wife is sick and you must safeguard your child (by travelling in a tiny tin box with said sick wife is probably the best way to do that!) and not be left looking after your child alone. God forbid - just ask your boss for further advice on how to to shirk parenting responsibilities if needed - I believe he is truly knowledgable on this front (everyones got to be good at one thing right?!)

I really think a person who acts with integrity will travel however far away they must from their main residence. It is imperative to find a vulnerable older member of your family to cover for you, oops, I mean be there in case dancing to ABBA becomes too much in your collapsed state.

Just remember your bosses words -
to be alert for nosey neighbours on your bluebell walks (but don't worry about the virus or those you will meet at the services you will need to stop at - priorities right??)

And don't forget the playskool glue and Ribena before you leave!