To be a little relieved by the new restrictions around xmas?

[Ohdoleavemealone]

I hate having plans lingering in the air. Hate the uncertainty of can I see my family or can't I.

DS came home from school yesterday having to isolate until xmas eve so yet again we were on the fence of whether or not we could visit family boxing day. We cancelled my parents but they kept saying "lets see". Now Boris has said only mix on xmas day I can accept it and move on.

Am I the only one thinking it would have been kinder in some ways to say this from the start?

This is an odd thread. I appreciate that for the OP it makes things easier as it removes the uncertainty.

However surely the OP can see that for millions of others, this is upsetting news. Yes it may well be necessary and many of us will come to recognise that, but most of us will need a little time to acknowledge our feelings of disappointment.

It is odd to just think of yourself and how the news impacts you in a positive way and post an OP about that within minutes of the announcement. A little reflection and empathy for others would go a long way.

@Level75

My tier 4 SIL has said she's coming anyway! (up to Yorkshire)

Yay for common sense 😑

I think it's very disappointing but understand they tried to accommodate people. We had already decided not to visit my parents in the NE, as they are vulnerable (have only seen them once this year) but my sister was due to come to us for the first time since Sep and will potentially be alone on Christmas Day. She's also tier 4 but 100 miles away.

I have been reasonably philosophical about it all to date but this is really, really depressing! Those of us without family locally don't have the option of meeting outdoors and our wider family are missing seeing the DC grow up. I wouldn't muck it up with a vaccine imminent but really feel for those who will potentially be alone now.

@Luckyrabbitfoot

Bloody good for you. My 6 year old DD and elderly parents now won’t be able to see each other in the garden on Christmas Day as we are in Tier 4. So pleased that you’re relieved though.

I'm in the same situation, kids and grandparents cannot see each other and tier 4. My mum will have the vaccine soon and I'd rather wait a while and mum be safe - delaying Christmas is not the end of the world, but seeing elderly grandparents right now could mean the end of theirs.

YANBU

It is disappointing, and the government should never have promised us a five day long christmas 'break' a month in advance. But these restrictions are for the best in the long run. What's the best option? This Christmas with granny? Or having granny alive and well for the next 10+ years?

Awful for people with life limiting conditions/illnesses who are probably facing their last christmas though. Maybe exceptions should be made for these people, but I don't know how that would be regulated.

I also wish people would fuck off with the "neh neh neh" ing to Londoners.

We get it, the Tory Government are London centric twats who totally fucked over Leicester, Manchester and other areas of the north.
But that wasn't the fault of most Londoners. We weren't gloating about our slightly less restricted lives then, we were just getting on with it, while quietly appreciating that we weren't in the same situation. Those who are now telling us that we deserve a taste of the medicine should take a good look at themselves and who they should be pissed off with. This should not be a race to the bottom.

I now have to tell 3 children they won’t see their grandparents on Christmas Day. I’m devastated.

You're lucky to have children living with you.

You're also lucky to have grandparents that are still alive and live in the UK.

Angel 💐💐💐💐🍷🍷🍷.

Roses same, my dc don't have living gp on my side they never met dm.

I'm very happy that many people won't be affected by this news, many people sadly will but that's life, at any time it's good for some and bad for others.

My heart goes out to lonely elderly people or those like angel with neuro diverse dc and no respite in sight. There are always worse off and better off, follow your own lane and try and look for the positives.

Well misery clearly loves company when it comes to mumsnet. I’m glad you are finding positives OP Merry Christmas

I’m thrilled for you OP

Now p, out of me, mum, sister, who spends yet more time alone? Any thoughts?

@TheRubyRedshoes

Roses same, my dc don't have living gp on my side they never met dm.

I'm very happy that many people won't be affected by this news, many people sadly will but that's life, at any time it's good for some and bad for others.

My heart goes out to lonely elderly people or those like angel with neuro diverse dc and no respite in sight. There are always worse off and better off, follow your own lane and try and look for the positives.

Your heart is useless.

You could consider writing to your local mp about it.

Can't believe you thought this thread was a good idea, OP. Talk about rubbing salt in the wounds of those whose plans have been shafted by this. Merry bloody Christmas to you too.

I wasn't a fan of the 5 Day bubble but to get so many peoples hopes up imo was cruel.

I am sad for all those who’s plans are now having to stop.

But they HAD to do this purely because so many were insisting on continuing with making those plans despite scientist and doctors literally begging us not to and providing scores of evidence for why it was a terrible idea.

Unfortunately when the government refused to be the grinch , and waffled on about people using their common sense, it meant that people chose to still make plans that were going to increase risk for all of us.

Most families could easily justify why they would be going against advice and doing what was still legal and ‘allowed’. It’s not hard to explain why you are the exception and your family ‘need’ it or would be safer than others.

Unfortunately Thats all useless when it’s millions of families insisting the same.

So I’m sad for people. But relieved that action was taken instead of expecting people to take it for themselves. Very few were going to put themselves in a worse position than they could legally justify.

@Bimbleboo I do agree with all you say. ^ BUT the Government should have done all this a month ago, not with just 4 days notice...

The only people who will find this thread horrible/insensitive are those who are bitter enough to be upset by others' happiness when they are not happy themselves. All situations will suit some and not others. Many feel the same as OP, as evidenced by the thread. Everybody is allowed to say haw they feel.

OP, YANBU. I'm attending a close relative's funeral over Christmas, so I think all those who aren't grieving are lucky. I hope everyone finds a way to have a nice Christmas.

I can't see why people will 'go without food', that seemed a bit of a dramatic response. There's lots of help available from lots of sources.

I’m not relieved. I’ve followed the rules and haven’t left my home for a week since my school finished to make sure I’m clear for when I mixed with my family (and we were sticking to the 3 household rule). I live alone and now don’t know what’s going to happen.

It’s not “just a day” for some. The prospect of Christmas alone is really upsetting to me and others. This might happen for me.

@Rosebel

No it's horrible. And pointless. If you see your family for one day (Christmas day) then why can't you see them for the other 4. Your mixing with the same people so no increased risk. I think a lot of people will just say fuck it and mix for more than one day anyway.

Because a lot of people were deliberately misunderstanding the 3 household rule and admitting as much.

As much as I feel for everyone, as pp I too am bit surprised people did make really proper plans. We had talked with our potential bubble and basically agreed to not agree, just in case.
Alcohol doesn't go off, most things can go into freezer for further meals. It sucks, it's sad, but it wasn't unexpected...

@Plonque I am still expecting something. Tier N? Don't even open windows?

Rosebel that last sentence is precisely why we're still dealing with this shit.

I have suddenly found myself in Tier 4 after being in Tier 2. I wasn’t planning to spend Christmas with anyone other than DH, so no plans are scuppered.

But I am upset about the news and the wider implications for local businesses and somebody gloating about how it makes their life easier is insensitive and bit helpful.

Well really anyone that made plans was pretty stupid. Why was it going to be ok to relax for 5 days, not worry about distancing etc? Even now some areas are just 1 day it's a joke. It should be no mixing across the whole of the UK.

Me and DH decided months ago the sensible thing to do for us and our family was just stay at home on our own. We normally spend Christmas with my elderly parents and my siblings and families but decided that was a silly thing to do and pretty selfish.

I understand what you mean OP.

I think it reads like a lot of people on here think it is possible to step out of the
pandemic for few days to have a festive time which is frankly ridiculous.
It will drag on for longer if you want holidays and time out.
This won't go away if so many people keep moving about and meeting up

@bananaskinsnomnom as far as the rules are understood single person can still form support bubble and be together.