To isolate before Christmas

[CitizenofEurope]

AIBU to take the DCs out of school one week early to allow us to meet grandparents on Christmas day?

I am trying to weigh it up. GPs are late 80’s, MIL has the early stages of dementia, she is ECV and has been shielding. She absolutely adores her DGC’s. They live about 40 miles away and FIL will drive them over for the day on Xmas day for pressies and lunch. I would love to have them and it will be a lovely day. DCs also adore their GPs and DH really wants his parents to come - he thinks it likely that this might be his last xmas with his mum.

However, DCs are really happy at school. Academically they are ahead so I have no qualms about that, but I know they are really looking forward to the whole school Christmas thing (Reception and year 2) - although they will both get to do their xmas plays the week before.

They will also miss a swimming lesson and brownies ( ok not a big deal maybe but swimming lessons are only starting up again on 5 dec for the first time since march. DD will also miss the first chance to do her hobby since the summer.

They will then be stuck at home for 14 days in the run up to xmas while I try and keep them occupied...

Is it fair on the DCs to miss 14 days of running up to xmas for 1 day with the GPs. ( although will try and do xmas fun at home too...)

WWYD?

We'll be doing this too but our school actually finishes for the hols on the 10th so don't have to pull out. I would do the same as you though if they were due to finish term any later.

You can of course it’s not unreasonable at all, but do not underestimate how difficult that 14 days is going to be.

We’re also thinking about doing this. Both DCs finish on the 18th but we might take them out from the 11th. None of the GPs are particularly vulnerable and not that old but it’s more about not being able to go out at all over the holidays. Both DCs have had to isolate for 2 weeks each in the last couple of months which means no going out for walks and fresh air, one of the things we want to do over Christmas. The thought of getting a phone call on the 16-18th telling us we have to isolate for the whole Christmas holidays is really making us consider this.

@MrsMigginsMate you are right, I didn’t take that into consideration. I might just possibly still be tempted though because it is a sensible compromise.

The only family we can realistically bubble with for Christmas have three school age DC, all at different schools. It worries me that they only have 7days away from school before we will be seeing them but I certainly can’t ask them to take the last week off.

I think you are being really sensible in doing this if you really want to spend time with the gps. We have all just had 3 weeks off school due to covid and thankfully we didnt pass it on to gps and have done lots of xmas craft! The run up to Christmas I think is just as exciting as Christmas itself. There are so many activities you can do, online theatres, cooking, and christmas themed learning. Twinkl with have lots of things, literacy shed is a great one but might need a subscription- but worth it. Get them to make gifts, write letters and watch some great xmas movies. Give them an iou when you will take them swimming yourself, brownies maybe find out what they were doing and plan a zoom with some friends. White rose maths home learning section (free) is excellent for keeping them up to date with their maths. You dont know what's around the corner so go for it.

I’d do this but Ds1 is in yr 11 and already missed school to self isolate. I’m happy to go and stay with family after Xmas after we’ve self isolated for 10 days but we can’t have that option. I’m so annoyed and sad as we haven’t seen my family since the summer.

That's what we're doing OP. Kids out of school (they're at secondary so regular cases there, ds2 is self isolating at the moment), two weeks isolation from 12th to 25th inclusive then were seeing 1 set of grandparents on Boxing Day then the others on 27th.

Not ideal but there you go.

I would do this , the only reason I’m not is I’m a teacher so if we can’t all isolate there’s no point
I 100% support parents who are doing this

@MatildaTheCat

I think that’s a lot for them to miss out on when you could host on NYD and have a gorgeous festive lunch and presents with the in laws. That would mean you have two special days and something to look forward to as well as Christmas Day.

It would mean living very quietly during the holidays but there’s not going to be much to do anyway.

Very very good idea.