Support bubbles aibu to be furious.....

[TriciaH]

So basically an adult living alone or single parent can go into another's house. Great for them if they have been alone for 10 weeks. However two working parents both due back into work, one is a lorry driver but schools now have no space for the children as year groups gone back to school mean no room cannot ask for help with kids. One parent is likely going to have to give up work as we have 3 months before the remote chance the children go back to school which still is only likely to be part time. What the heck are we working parents supposed to do.

Am I unreasonable to think the government need to come up with a plan to help keep us mums in our jobs because let's face it we are going to be the ones at home with the kids giving up our career? This is going to put us on a back foot with employers for years.

I am a single parent. I have been home COMPLETELY alone with my children since March 20th. I love my children, but suddenly not seeing work colleagues, other parents, my mum & my boyfriend has had an enormous effect. I’ve never felt lonely before, but I’ve genuinely never felt so lonely & it felt never ending.
My partner couldn’t come & sit in our garden - as a widow, he also has children to look after & couldn’t leave them home alone, nor could I. I cannot wait to hug them all today.
This announcement has made a huge difference to us both. We can visit each other, stay at each other’s houses, help each other & both get back to work part time, but to just have contact again with one other adult is the most incredible feeling.
I understand the frustration couples feel, but you have no idea what it’s like to be so lonely, only have one income & to not be able to work for so long. I am worried about loosing the home I purchased last year, this was a dream. I also need a break... just for 1 hour. To get out of the house alone, just for a moment. I’ve literally not had a moment to myself!
The isolation has been horrendous. When you only have one household income & you have to tell your employer you can’t come into work, it’s such a worry. I was unable to work from home due to the sensitivity of my job & I have felt scared every moment of every day about loosing my job. I can’t have a private conversation on the phone & the lack of human contact is awful. Living on one income is bad enough, but to suddenly be reduced to 80% has been tough... and I’ve missed out on such a lot at the office. Everything has changed & I'm completely out of the loop.
I feel I will have to start my relationship all over again too. Three months without contact has meant we feel more like friends than partners... but hopefully tonight will be different!!!

On a different note, our neighbour has been looking after her grandchildren since last week & will continue to do so. Once she admitted this on WhatsApp group, it turn out quite a few are having to do the same. Local police lady is also dropping off her children at grandparents house, so for childcare reasons, I doubt very much anybody is going to care now....

Shaz1970 - Enjoy seeing your friend today... I cried too xx

We're off to visit the Inlaws today with 2 and 4 year old. I told the 4 year old we're going after 2 year old's nap. She's been trying to put him down all morning, she's so excited. Good luck to her, hope she manages it.

People in very difficult circumstances have been quietly bending the “rules” all along

Of course they have. Which is partly why the Gov set them so stringently in the first place.

We (as a nation) were always going to push the boundaries so they set the boundary further back to allow for it.

I am surprised more people don't realise this.

*We (as a nation) were always going to push the boundaries so they set the boundary further back to allow for it.

I am surprised more people don't realise this.*

Yep and I remember Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick back in March talking about lockdown fatigue which is why timing wasn't important, and the amount of people saying it was bollocks, we all just need to be adults and stay home for however long it takes. I often wonder how many of those people are still following the rules. Looking at MN probably not many. And I'm sick of the Dom Cummings argument 'well if it's ok for him...'.

If the school lost the paperwork, then they have no right to to disadvantage your application for a school place over it. If you’ve already approached the Headteacher, make a complaint to the Chair of Governors and copy in the Special Needs Governor.if no response to that go to the Local Authority, Councillor, MP etc. Try to get people to understand that your both your children’s needs are a high priority and are within the guidelines for a school place. If they haven’t currently got provision they or the Local Authority need to make provision. Goodly luck.

@FirTree31 at NO Point have I said single parents do not need or deserve support. I just think others need it too especially those with children who have special needs. I was verging on breaking point before the pandemic so throw in 3 months with my 10 year old up my bum all day everyday as he soley relies on me and will not let dad help, now my other child will also be only coming to me with dad back at work and I have to basically break the rules or loose my job. Problem with that is because of my sons conditions he has a low immune system.

Sorry all its not so sple to leave with parents as step father is over 70. Does not need to shield according to advice received but it does make me worry about them. However my mum says she's more worried about us loosing the house. Hopefully I can talk to work and explain I need to stay working from home a bit longer.

At no point have I said single adult house holds do not need support.

But you did belittle their need for 'a hug' and said that work was more important. Fact is support bubbles are about far more than just a hug. I won't be able to work if my mental health deteriorates much more. Fortunately my OH and I can now form a support bubble. Thus far it's just been him and his teenage DD at his place, and me on my own at mine. We both really need this. It's not just about a hug, it's our mental health and ability to keep going.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time OP. It all sounds very difficult. But being furious that single people are getting a bit of help won't help you or your case.