Isolating alone with young children and mental health

[CyrilSneer30]

I have three children - 5, 3 and 6 months. DH is in the military and was given 48 hours notice to deploy on Thursday, meaning he left this morning. He is now working and living in a hotel a few hours away with front line NHS workers who are unable to go home to their families, so we are now unable to see him for the foreseeable future. He is currently in the minority of our peers to have been deployed so we weren’t expecting it! My parents are asking me to come home - they are late 50’s and not high risk in any way, and my brother and his girlfriend are also living there. My brother returned from America on Wednesday so the earliest I could go back is 14 days after he arrived to make sure he’s not carrying the virus, we are all isolating upto that point.

Would you go? I would love to, but I’m really worried it’s not the ‘right’ thing to do. Equally, the thought of staying here alone with the three children for potentially months without another adult is terrifying, especially as I am struggling with PND. Thoughts?

God yeah I would go. Sounds awful otherwise.

I'd go op, all the best.

I'd definitely go. Mental health is an essential reason to travel.

Thanks all. Needed some reassurance I wasn’t being completely insane by even considering it!

Do the 14 days isolating so you're all clear, then go.

You need to because you've said so much how you need to in so many ways. Listen to your gut.

I'd usually join the throng saying absolutely not but given the ages of your children I think its for the best. Is it far? Can you get there without stopping?

Yes. It’s for your mental health and in the best interests of your children.

I genuinely thought I’d be torn to shreds for even asking, thank you all so much. It’s about a 3 hour journey so doable without stopping (as long as the baby is compliant!)

In that case you should go as soon as you are able.

I think it’s prudent to wait the 14 days since my brother returned from the states which would be the 8th April, however I’m worried more stringent travel restrictions may be in place by then?