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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think I am entitled to a support bubble?

237 replies

tuesdayschild17 · 19/01/2021 13:33

I am a mother to a 3yr old DD who is wonderful but can be a bit of a handful. My partner moved into the house I'm in at the beginning of lockdown as we didn't want to break the rules by travelling between two places. He is not DD's father and although he is lovely with her, does not contribute any sort of childcare which is understandable. I am in my third year of study and working part time. I cannot workout if I am entitled to a support bubble with my father and stepmother? I am not a 'single adult' with a child under 14, but I am a 'single parent' with a child under 14 if that makes sense? I do all the childcare for DD.

Just looking for thoughts on whether I would be entitled to visit the place where they live for a walk with my DD or whether that would be taking the p**s?

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 19/01/2021 13:36

No, you live with another adult. You aren't a single adult household.

CodenameVillanelle · 19/01/2021 13:36

You can meet one of them for a walk outdoors though

gobbynorthernbird · 19/01/2021 13:36

Nope. Your support is your partner. And if he's shit then you need him to leave so you can bubble with another household.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 19/01/2021 13:37

Its not really understandable that he doesn't contribute to childcare in this circumstance.

He moved in, which means you can't join another household now.

He needs to help, or move out unfortunately. He has put you in a worse position by moving in and not helping out with your child.

user1493413286 · 19/01/2021 13:37

Sorry as I can understand why it’s hard but as you live with someone you’re not a single adult household so you can’t have a support bubble.
You could meet them for a walk if they’re not too far away and they could look after your DD as a childcare bubble.

CodenameVillanelle · 19/01/2021 13:37

Oh you can have a childcare bubble I think?

peboh · 19/01/2021 13:37

No unfortunately not. You're not a single person.
My dh works away most of the week, and I was trying to find a loophole to be allowed some adult company as only me and dd (2) most of the time, but was told that wasn't allowed.

SendHelp30 · 19/01/2021 13:38

You are not a single adult. You are not entitled to a support bubble.

HaraldHalf · 19/01/2021 13:38

Can’t you have a childcare bubble though?

Aprilx · 19/01/2021 13:38

No you are not entitled to a support bubble as you live with another adult. Not sure why you can’t work this out as it is pretty clear.

If you need to form a bubble for childcare whilst you work, that would be allowed.

Imiss2019 · 19/01/2021 13:39

@gobbynorthernbird

Nope. Your support is your partner. And if he's shit then you need him to leave so you can bubble with another household.
this

If your partner can’t give you the support you need right now suggest he moves out so you can see people who can.

sofiaaaaaa · 19/01/2021 13:40

Jesus Christ, what a reach on your part. No, you’re not entitled to a bubble and you are taking the piss.

Imiss2019 · 19/01/2021 13:40

You are entitled to a support bubble and you chose one by moving your partner in you’re not entitled to an extended support bubble

AryaStarkWolf · 19/01/2021 13:40

He's not that great of a partner if he won't help you out with your daughter every now and then

OverTheRubicon · 19/01/2021 13:41

You can have a childcare bubble, but not a support bubble. Childcare means children can move between houses but adults are meant to maintain social distancing.

I've got friends who live in house-shares with virtual strangers (or people they actively dislike) and still aren't allowed support bubbles because they don't live alone.

LemonViolet · 19/01/2021 13:41

Not a support bubble, no.

You can form a childcare bubble with them, but it must be for childcare only (ie looking after your daughter whilst you work), not for going for a walk. Sorry!

SleepingStandingUp · 19/01/2021 13:41

So he moved in so you could contribute a sexual relationship not so you could be a family? How confusing so you think that will be for her?

Your Dad and Step Mom can provide childcare whilst you're working / studying but it's childcare - daughter dropped at for etc not sitting around drinking coffee together.

Peanutbutterblood · 19/01/2021 13:41

No but you could have a childcare bubble if your dad were to look after your dd while you work/study

ShalomToYouJackie · 19/01/2021 13:41

You are entitled to a childcare bubble with another household if you have a child under 14. You don't need to be living alone to be eligible for a childcare bubble.

hashbrownsandwich · 19/01/2021 13:42

@gobbynorthernbird

Nope. Your support is your partner. And if he's shit then you need him to leave so you can bubble with another household.

This.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 19/01/2021 13:42

A childcare bubble is when you take your child to someone like a family member or friend who looks after that child, the adults in the bubble are not supposed to socialise beyond a drop off/pick up relationship.

No OP, unfortunately you are not able to use the single adult exemption to form a support bubble.

(I fucking hate the word bubble since coronavirus ruined it!)

"You can only use a childcare bubble for childcare. You cannot use a childcare bubble to mix with another household for other reasons."

www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-childcare-bubble-with-another-household

Suzi888 · 19/01/2021 13:42

Yes it’s a childcare support bubble, as others have stated.
I don’t know why DP can’t help with childcare though. He’s moved in with you knowing you have a child.

PeanutButtaCup · 19/01/2021 13:42

You are entitled to a childcare bubble

2pinkginsplease · 19/01/2021 13:42

If he wants to live with you as a couple then he needs to step up and support you , not necessarily financially but emotionally and physically. You and your child come as a package.

Purplethrow · 19/01/2021 13:43

I was trying to find a loophole

Rules are not made so people can try and get round them .

You could meet one other person for exercise as long as you keep your distance.