How long will I have to be alone? When will my baby see his dad, and family again?

[Hafod]

His first year is such a big one. So many milestones. They are going to miss so much. Some of them haven't seen him since he was 6 weeks old and now they may not see him again for what, 18 months by some estimates? I'm devastated. I don't know if I can handle being away from my family for this long. My dh is still working, my son and me have to isolate away from him which has broken all of our hearts. How much will he miss? We will never get these moments back. Now it's just me and a baby. I'm so worried about my mental health with this.

Can anyone even make an educated guess of when we may have enough normality just to see our families again? I need a glimmer of hope to hold onto.

I'm telling myself 4-6 months, though maybe the 4 is a little optimistic. My DM is isolated and is having the same worries, not seeing the grandchildren. I'm worried about not seeing her and they are missing her terribly.

Video calls/Skype will be a god send. Phonecalls whilst not human contact will make you feel closer to them. Keep your DH updated by filming your LO's milestones, that way he/they gets to experience it all with you.

Im sorry you're struggling, I am petrified for both my physical and mental health.

Remember China got a handle on this within 3 months. Nightclubs are opening and people are going back to work.

We will probably end up in total lockdown soon, so it may be over sooner than we think, once this stupid government implement the measures needed.

Hang in there. We're going to get through it.

Had a little cry over your estimate and it was more optimistic than most. I'm supposed to be getting married in May, and now we are separated by this disease indefinitely. I'm effectively a single parent for the foreseeable future. I feel like my life is ruined.

I know we are all in the same boat but that doesn't make me any less depressed. This will break me.

Love to you, I can't say anything positive to help you as I haven't a single positive thought in my brain. But thank you for responding.

I don't think I can cope with this

Why are you isolating from your baby's dad? Do you not live together?

Why are you isolating from your partner?

@dementedpixie He's still working. No matter how much I stayed at home he'd come home after a whole day around different people. It didn't seem safe for our baby. Are we overreacting? I would find this so much easier if I had him.

Definitely allow him home. Just make sure he is following precautions. Clothes off at the door and straight in a shower. My partner still has to work and me and the kids are isolating but he needs to come home.

@Amber2019 But even a shower and fresh clothes won't stop me catching it if he has caught it at work? And our child? Or am I missing something? Thanks

You are going a bit far With having him out of the home.

Do you have underlying conditions? Of course he can come home. What sort of work does he do?

I'm in the same boat. OH moved out so he could still work. Hes missing out on his son's 1st year too. I keep telling myself its not forever.

Looking at the massive picture is terrifying and overwhelming. The only thing I can suggest is focus on one day at a time, or even hour by hour, and come up with tasks to do to give yourself something to focus on, even if it’s just have a shower, play with baby etc.

These times are scary, but they will pass.

There is obviously still a risk but you are keeping it minimal. There is so many people in the same position. You want to keep your family together. Obviously if you feel the risk is too much you can stay separate. I totally understand and would rather my partner wasnt at work but unfortunately the government guidelines dont allow that yet. For what it's worth I do think a complete shutdown is on it's way. Also, if your partner were to carry the virus if you are fit and healthy the risk to you all is minimal. More that you all dont want to be spreading to vulnerable people.
It's totally your choice, weigh up the risk to yourself and what would actually happen if you all got it compared to the affect on your life and mental health.

You cant isolate from everyone forever. Are you leaving the house at all?

No underlying conditions, but we keep seeing more and more comments about how young healthy people are affected, young healthy people are dying, even kids are getting seriously ill now. My anxiety was sky rocketing and I wanted him home but his company are refusing to close. We agreed maybe this would be safer. It's just so hard.

Why are you not living with your DH? Why is he not coming home after work? Are you especially vulnerable? Him not coming home after work is a very extreme reaction.

I thought you meant he was working in a different country. Where is your DH going to live?

You need to let him home.

I would honestly have him home. The risk is still minimal and its obviously really affecting you not having him there. Where is he going to stay if not with you?

Is it not better for your mental health to have him home? Are young healthy people dying in great numbers? It has mainly been those with underlying conditions. What sort of work does he do?

Seriously, your DH needs to be coming home after work. Seeing extended family is off limits, though.

I have stayed in our family home and he is in our flat, we usually rent it out but the tenant moved out in January and in this current climate no one else is interested right now.

Honestly, I'd let him come home. It's a scary virus and nobody wants to get it but please don't overlook the fact that the vast majority of people get over it within a week or so. A friend's mother (in poor health, in her late 60s) was diagnosed relatively early but is now absolutely fine as will most people. There are always going to be scary stories and exceptions but if you're young and in good health, the chances are you would be fine if you caught it.

I think your dh should come home to the family group. Stay away from extended family