Christmas Travel outside of 23-27 window: AIBU?

[ProvisionallyAnxious]

I live at the opposite end of the UK from my parents, who are desperate to see my DD (18 months) at Christmas. I'd been planning on travelling down and back up over 2 days (because toddler), so aiming to leave our home on 22nd and arriving at parents on 23rd, and then leaving 27th and continuing to travel on 28th. However this would mean us travelling outside of the easing period for travel restrictions. We would inevitably be travelling between tiers but would only stop to get out of the car to go to the toilet and get petrol.

If we only travelled within the 5 day period we'd basically be spending 4 of those days in the car and only 1 with my parents, which given the hell of long-distance travel with a toddler seems ridiculous. They're allowing people travelling from NI an extra day on either side which makes sense for the logistics and extra travel time involved, but seems unfair on people making long journeys from elsewhere in the country.

AIBU to travel on either side of the window and pay any fines that might come our way? Reality check please Mumsnet -- what would you all do?

Tbh I wouldn’t worry if it’s a day either side of the window.... just do what works best for you and enjoy your Christmas!

I'd do it all in one go and start the journey about 4pm and keep little one entertained till they fall asleep and push on through. There's two of you driving so do two hour stints. You'll be there not long after midnight. I always drove in the night with mine.

Just plan your stops within tier 2 areas when we find them out later this week.

The tiers are being reviewed every fourteen days. The tiers announced on Thursday may well be different to those in effect before and after Christmas.

Do what you want, it's gonna be carnage anyways

we did Glasgow - south west this year with our 2yo son.
left around 10am til 1pm (singing and youtube)
food 2-5pm he was asleep ! peace!

God almighty OP do what you need to do. If hotels are open, travel when you like.

I truly worry at the level of anxiety the UK is in following rules that a year ago we could not have imagined following.

As there are two adults to share the driving, I'd also go for it without an overnight stop, arriving in the early hours of the 23rd, by which time it will be fine to mix with your parents. Alternatively I would go to bed early on the 22nd and leave around 4am on the 23rd.

"You can stay in a hotel during the Christmas period, including in a tier 3: Very High alert area but only by yourself, or with other members of your household.

You can stay in private rented accommodation with members of your household, or your Christmas bubble." www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family#travel-and-overnight-stays-with-your-christmas-bubble

Having said that, I think the whole reason that the window is 23-27th is so that it gives a clear day for travel either side of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so it's a bit greedy to want to add travel days either side of that again.

just do it

Could they come to you instead?

Can your parents come to you?

@Lougle

"You can stay in a hotel during the Christmas period, including in a tier 3: Very High alert area but only by yourself, or with other members of your household.

You can stay in private rented accommodation with members of your household, or your Christmas bubble." www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family#travel-and-overnight-stays-with-your-christmas-bubble

Having said that, I think the whole reason that the window is 23-27th is so that it gives a clear day for travel either side of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so it's a bit greedy to want to add travel days either side of that again.

I wonder how many hotels will open just for those days though? Would it be worth it financially? (Even with the support given how on earth is hospitality going to survive this winter??)

If we end up travelling over Xmas, plans are being discussed at the moment, we will definitely need a hotel... I’m just not sure I’d book one in a tier 3 area just because I’d worry that my booking would get cancelled..

@ProvisionallyAnxious

Alternatively, any tips for managing a LOOONG one-day drive with an 18 month old who isn't a huge fan of being constrained in the carseat. I'm not sure I can see us being capable of driving through the night.

We used to drive 543 miles with a baby, a toddler and two dogs. We often did in a very long day, leaving at 4am and stopping frequently.

With two drivers it was actually more restful not to have stopovers. Just keep on going. We used music, videos, games, etc.

I've booked one of my Christmas bubble households into a nearby hotel. I can cancel up to 2pm on date of arrival though just in case.

Tbh everyone seems to think that their particular circumstances deserve special dispensation. The rules are clear, 23rd to the 27th. If you can’t fit travelling there and back into that period then I wouldn’t go.

And from reading on here and elsewhere it seems that a lot of people are actually planning not to go anywhere. Those who are would likely have done anyway regardless of the rules.

And i just saw on the bbc news app that Scotland haven’t actually decided yet? But that NS says people will be encouraged not to mix at all....

@AlternativePerspective

Tbh everyone seems to think that their particular circumstances deserve special dispensation. The rules are clear, 23rd to the 27th. If you can’t fit travelling there and back into that period then I wouldn’t go.

And from reading on here and elsewhere it seems that a lot of people are actually planning not to go anywhere. Those who are would likely have done anyway regardless of the rules.

And i just saw on the bbc news app that Scotland haven’t actually decided yet? But that NS says people will be encouraged not to mix at all....

The 3 households rule applies across the whole of the UK. NS has already confirmed this, but her standpoint is "just because you can, doesn't mean you should".

@AlternativePerspective

Tbh everyone seems to think that their particular circumstances deserve special dispensation. The rules are clear, 23rd to the 27th. If you can’t fit travelling there and back into that period then I wouldn’t go.

And from reading on here and elsewhere it seems that a lot of people are actually planning not to go anywhere. Those who are would likely have done anyway regardless of the rules.

And i just saw on the bbc news app that Scotland haven’t actually decided yet? But that NS says people will be encouraged not to mix at all....

I hear you on that. I think I was BU.

Now to decide whether 2 days travel with a toddler is worth it for 3 days with family. And indeed beginning to agonise over whether it is morally the right choice.

I fly with the kids and my husband drives. Means kids aren't a pain (have one that screams after 30 min in the car even at 3 years old) and we can still take everything we need.
Alternatively all of you fly and take the car seat with you and then buy anything else you need while you're there cheap off Facebook or ask them to borrow off someone