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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Grotto closed - AIBU to be relieved

30 replies

subsy1 · 10/09/2021 12:28

We usually take our grandchildren to visit Santa at a local garden centre and it's wonderful.
Last year we couldn't go. Because of tier 4 restrictions, they were closed. Despite there being no restrictions this year, they have chosen not to run the grotto.
My DD is very upset and I feel sorry for DGC as they really love the Santa they see there. But I feel a huge relief at not having to mingle with dozens of other families with such rampant variants around.

OP posts:
FfrothiCoffi · 10/09/2021 12:29

You’re entitled to feel however you want. Even if it was open you wouldn’t have to go.
Shame for your DGC to miss out though, hopefully they’ll have someone else willing to take them to see Father Christmas at a Grotto.

AntiSocialDistancer · 10/09/2021 12:30

Hooray! Yes children should learn that their wish for a joyful Christmas isn't a real need.

AlvinSimonTheo · 10/09/2021 12:41

YABU

Boobieboobieboobie · 10/09/2021 12:42

Yabu. You didnt have to go. Hope dd takes them elsewere.

621CustardCream438 · 10/09/2021 12:56

You’re perfectly reasonable not to go. I certainly don’t blame the venue for choosing not to run the event in a time of uncertainty.

I think you’re utterly miserable and a killjoy to sound pleased it’s cancelled and your grandchild can’t go with a parent/someone else.

“Rampant variants around” - it’s months in advance, how can you know? At present we basically only have delta.

“Mingling with dozens of families” - our local one is one family at a time, distanced from Santa, access directly from outdoors. I hardly think it’s the next Wembley or Boardmasters.

healmebaby · 10/09/2021 12:59

you do know you didn’t HAVE to go?

Mybalconyiscracking · 10/09/2021 13:00

Not sure why people are so keen to cling onto a life that is so bloody miserable!

FfrothiCoffi · 10/09/2021 13:17

Sorry had to come back to this as I’ve been musing… you didn’t have to go. If you weren’t comfortable, you could have just said no, you’re not comfortable with going. But to be relieved that something is cancelled (leaving many people disappointed, including your own family) just so you don’t have to assert yourself, is pretty shit IMO.

Original poster
subsy1 · 10/09/2021 22:51

"I feel sorry for DGC as they really love the Santa they see there. But I feel a huge relief "
If it was safe for us all, I would love the visit as in previous years. And, as I said, I am sorry the DGC are missing out.
This grotto has (had?) many family mingling for different parts of the Christmas experience and only separate when visiting Santa in his grotto.
I asked whether I am being unreasonable to feel how I feel and the consensus is that I am. OK.

OP posts:
Janaih · 10/09/2021 22:55

Well of course it's not un reasonable to feel however you like.

You are unreasonable not to realise that
"Safe" is relative and there are loads of unlikely events more likely that catching covid from a Christmas grotto and suffering serious complications.

Original poster
subsy1 · 10/09/2021 22:56

@621CustardCream438

You’re perfectly reasonable not to go. I certainly don’t blame the venue for choosing not to run the event in a time of uncertainty.

I think you’re utterly miserable and a killjoy to sound pleased it’s cancelled and your grandchild can’t go with a parent/someone else.

“Rampant variants around” - it’s months in advance, how can you know? At present we basically only have delta.

“Mingling with dozens of families” - our local one is one family at a time, distanced from Santa, access directly from outdoors. I hardly think it’s the next Wembley or Boardmasters.

621etc. "At present we basically only have delta."

Delta is a bugger though, isn't it? And there is now Mu against which they reckon the vaccines will be much less effective.

OP posts:
AttaGirrrrl · 10/09/2021 22:58

It’s SEPTEMBER.

YABU.

Smartiepants79 · 10/09/2021 22:59

What a funny thing to be worrying about in September.
You don’t have to go. If it makes you uncomfortable you stay at home.
I think it’s really sad it’s been cancelled. Just another thing that’s a little bit shit this year. Hopefully your grandchildren will get to go somewhere else.

BastardMonkfish · 10/09/2021 23:00

I mean they're at school every day aren't they? You're going to the supermarket, everyone going about their usual lives? Santa's grotto is the least of your worries.

RealHousewifeOfEastLondon · 10/09/2021 23:02

If your kids are at school I think you have bigger worries than a grotto in terms of catching Covid 🤦🏼‍♀️

Peteycat · 10/09/2021 23:02

How joyless.

BobsBurgersisthebest · 10/09/2021 23:05

You do know there are OTHER places you can take DGC to see Father Christmas, don't you?! Grin

WorraLiberty · 10/09/2021 23:06

Hopefully someone else will take them to a different grotto.

AlwaysLatte · 10/09/2021 23:08

Just a thought - since our children got older we switched our Santa visits to an outdoor light show at a pinetum. They also have Santa there but it's all outdoors and socially distanced, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate etc. Might be worth booking something like that up?

WheelieBinPrincess · 10/09/2021 23:10

😂😂😂

You’re worrying about something you don’t have to do at Christmas?

The kids are school. They mingle with covid probably every day.

The spirit of Oliver Cromwell lives on!

RobinPenguins · 10/09/2021 23:12

Poor kids Sad

cadburyegg · 10/09/2021 23:16

Your grandchildren are more likely to catch and pass on covid at school over a 15 minute visit to see Santa

LegArmpits · 10/09/2021 23:24

B O R I N G

FfrothiCoffi · 10/09/2021 23:27

Delta is a bugger though, isn't it? And there is now Mu against which they reckon the vaccines will be much less effective

The people who actually know about virus transmission and virus efficacy don’t ‘reckon’ that, no.

FfrothiCoffi · 10/09/2021 23:28

Sorry I meant vaccine efficacy.
It’s fine to not want to go. But to be relieved that it’s cancelled so no one can go? Pretty shit.
Learn to say no.