My parents have surprised me

[Makeitgoaway]

I really didn't think they'd play by the rules, being active 70 somethings who can't be told anything, but they have.

They're going out for their daily walk but they don't plan to go to a shop. Dad has even signed up to get his paper on line. Organising a safe trip to the newsagent was bothering him!

Mum has always been a bit of a pepper, although I doubt she'd know the term. They have enough in for several weeks and will "make do" with the last the winter veg in the garden until the salads start coming through.

How are your parents?

Dad is 72 and blisters about all the guidance being a load of rubbish - but actually he has, so far, obeyed the rules. He even let me do his shopping for him today! He is going out for a daily walk, bit always has.

Same with mine. Initially found it funny when I said things but very quickly got on board. Lots of interaction online and WhatsApp, sharing watching programmes on iPlayer all at the same time, sharing ideas like Gareth Malone choir etc

My Dad is late 60s and had had a series of mini strokes but has decided as Parish Councillor he needs to help those in their tiny village who need it so he and his merry band of retired men have been round putting a note through everyone's door that they will go to the shop for them if necessary. My Mum thinks this is a ludicrous idea and should be left to the younger fitter members of the village They havent spoken for days. They both keep ringing me instead!

My DM has shocked me. She is shielding and has been doing so for the last week and a bit. She says she will stay at home alone until the end of June.

She's usually very gung-ho, has a very active social life, volunteers, attends classes, goes to the gym even though she's in her '80's. She tells me I fuss about things.

She taking this very seriously though. I think she's determined to live to 110 or something.

Mine have surprised me - my dad is high risk but others in the household are critical workers.

My dad hasn’t been out for three weeks and just potters round the garden. My mum has been doing as much as she can from home and only going in one day per week.

They have split the house in two and are using separate bedrooms, bathrooms and separate living spaces.

Normally they are very stubborn.

My parents have been really good and stopped to go day trips to other towns when they started to discuss about possibility that older people should stay home. My parents live in Finland were over 70's should quarantine. My father who is 69 does shopping. My mum 73 stays home. They do go for walks but there odd sac not too many people around.

Bunnybigears what your dad should be doing is co ordinating all the youngsters in the village(from a safe distance) who'd probably be glad of it for something to do. Imagine the sense of community for the future that he would be personally responsible for building.....

Mine keep going to the fecking shops and the post office.

My dad is high risk and over 70, he is obeying all the rules and only going for one daily walk a day, down a deserted country track. My mum in her 60's unfortunately is on the frontline in the hospital. I'm so worried about them.

Ex husbands parents (who I still hold dear) are 70+ and are taking it in their stride. They go for their daily walk. I gave ExDH A whole load of books I have read because they are big readers, to keep them going.

My parents. Mum is retired and her husband is vulnerable so they are self isolated for 12 weeks. They live in Scotland and I am 300+ miles away.

Dad and his wife, Dad is a big boss key worker, so is working and other than that they are following guidelines.

Mum (stepmum but she brought me up, separated from Dad a few years ago) and her husband in Torquay. Mum is another big boss key worker and her husband works from home, so it's a bit mixed with them.

All in all, all 8 parents in my life seem to be safe and coping well, following the rules and generally are looking after themselves.

My mum was 89 on Monday. Her care home was locked down on 16th March and on the 19th they phoned me to say there were 2 confirmed cases who had been hospitalised and 2 suspected cases.

My mum and stepfather are in France, so they have not really any choice. When the lockdown was announced, they went straight out to buy lots of alcohol. This did not surprise me at all!

My mother has pretty much played by the rules. I wasn’t sure if she would. But she does defer to authority. So I suppose in this context it isn’t a surprise.

My mum died just over a month ago so my dad is being extra careful so he can be around for his children/grandchildren

My mum and dad are mid 60s. Mum’s very healthy and so is my Dad in the main but he does get the flu jab because he had the flu quite badly a few years ago. They’re sticking to the rules, getting their one walk a day.

They were a bit brazen the other day and walked up to my house just so they could say hi to DS over the fence (from a safe distance). They normally have him three days a week and this is breaking their hearts. DS is a wee hell raiser but he’s bonded so much with my dad, who is the exact opposite- very quiet. Every time he goes to their house he plonks himself on my Dad’s knee and bellows STORY GANDAD. He and my Dad just love each other. He’s given my Dad such a new lease of life. I can’t wait until this awful time is over.

Dad is 65 and working for the NHS.

Mum has health issues but nothing that seems to make her more vulnerable to covid.

I am worried about my dad and him passing it to her.

They are however, playing by the rules. And mum loves that she can video call the kids on WhatsApp

My mum is a 61yo key worker in a supermarket but is following all social distancing rules and lives alone. Lots of video calls and is doing everything she should.

ExPIL who DCs father (frontline but not NHS key worker) lives with on the other hand....both in 70's both with existing conditions (one COPD and the other heart issues) are still going on almost daily jaunts to B&Q and Sainsburys. I'm said minimal contact and no more overnights for the DC at their house until this is over. I am not exposing the DC to other people as ExPIL are vunerable, just a shame they think they are fucking invincible. I wish I could stop contact altogether but I need those few daytime hours to go one my one weekly shopping trip.

My mum is happy at home with her dog for company. She is eating her way through the pots of apple crumble she made in the autumn and the jars of chutney she made also. She is a veggie and has loads of veggies frozen from her veggie plots ! It's a bit like the Good Life but she is fine!

She has her 70th birthday coming up and is having that next year! I think she is enjoying the quiet life.

My Mum is 80, I had her stay in her flat from last 16th march. She did pop to the shop one time, but since Sunday night has stayed in fully, I shop and drop weekly Talk to her through the window or her front door from a distance when I drop off.
She has her friend staying (it's two bed) and they are keeping each other company. I ammended her newpaper order to include Sunday delivery, as they do the crossword every afternoon. She seems very content watching Sky, playing candy crush and doing crosswords. She loves cooking so they'll be getting fat.

My Ex-MIL will be being a complete nightmare. Not sorry it’s not my problem any more!

Ellicam. My neighbours are like this. Frustrating, no? They don't get it yet.