Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Can you bubble them not then bubble again?

15 replies

SistemaAddict · 25/07/2020 12:57

Bear with me on this.

I'm a shielded lone parent of 3dc. My mum lives alone and I would like to bubble with her and she'd like to give me a break from the children for an hour or two or take us all out for a walk somewhere remote.

Mum isn't keen to bubble because I have siblings who want to see her too (all married with adult dc who live with them). She doesn't want to offend the other siblings by forming a bubble with me.

Would we be able to bubble to get together then not bubble so she can see others but then leave a 2 week gap of her not seeing anyone before bubbling again?

Hope that makes sense!

OP posts:

ceeveebee · 25/07/2020 13:02

The govt guidance says not.
But you don’t have to be in a bubble to see someone? You can see people on a social distanced basis even if they are not in your bubble. So she can go and see your siblings as long as she doesn’t get close to them?

ceeveebee · 25/07/2020 13:03

In fact you could all go together as you, your DC and your mum would be classed as one household if you are bubbled....

Drivingdownthe101 · 25/07/2020 13:04

Surely your siblings would understand that as you’re shielding with young DC your needs might come above theirs for the time being?

PotteringAlong · 25/07/2020 13:04

That’s what my mum has done in terms of seeing me and my sister.

MRex · 25/07/2020 13:05

How about talking with your siblings? They will probably understand the difference between distancing with children and with adults, so might be happy to suggest it to her, then she needn't worry about causing offence.

SandieCheeks · 25/07/2020 13:06

You can see your mum and she can have your children, you don’t need to be a bubble. She can see your siblings too.
Adults need to socially distance and kids too if they can eg my 10 year old knows he can’t hug grandma but my 2 year old doesn’t get it and still needs help in the toilet.

Original poster

SistemaAddict · 25/07/2020 13:09

I have no contact with my siblings through choice. They are working in public facing roles, being verbally abused if customers don't keep their distance, and one sibling cares for an elderly very vulnerable and ill relative. They are out visiting attractions, pubs, garden centres, houses, parties. They don't even understand why I'm shielded despite being told and think it's all a lot of fuss so no, they won't understand. My GP has said to continue shielding until the pandemic is over so I won't be visiting anyone unless I'm bubbled with them.

OP posts:

SandieCheeks · 25/07/2020 13:10

If you want your mum to commit to only seeing you, then that’s too much imo.

ceeveebee · 25/07/2020 13:12

Ok - so my first comment about still stands. You can form a bubble with your mum and DCs and then she doesn’t have to socially distance with you or them.
Then your mum can go and see your siblings on a socially distanced basis.

Or in fact depending on the age of your DCs, your mum could see you without bubbling. Obviously if she would have to change nappies etc that wouldn’t be possible but if the kids are older then should be possible to care for them without getting within 2 metres...

MRex · 25/07/2020 13:35

The "bubble" concept is a bit confused in your mind. What you're saying you actually want is for your mum to not see your siblings nor anyone else, even socially distanced. If she does, you want her to isolate for 2 week as first. It's ok if that's a condition you want to make before seeing your mum, but it's a decision for your mum to make and nobody else. If she doesn't want to do it then you can socially distance from her or not see her, that bit is your choice.

ohthegoats · 25/07/2020 13:51

We've done it so that we have a 2 week break between staying with people. Can still do outdoor or socially distanced gatherings with others in those w weeks, but not close contact.

Original poster

SistemaAddict · 25/07/2020 13:51

It's not confused at all I just know that the rest of the family are not able to distance at work and are in close contact with extended family members so to me it's a big risk due to the amount of contact they have with others. Yes, it's up to mum. It's her that's getting frustrated at not being able to hug the children. I'm happy to be keeping my distance but I've been struggling after so long shielding that I would greatly appreciate some kind of a break. The rest of the family will not be happy even though they barely see her anyway.

OP posts:

MRex · 25/07/2020 14:18

If your mum wants to bubble with you and you're happy with it then she can. There is no "unbubble". The issue is that you don't want her to see the others even socially distanced.

Original poster

SistemaAddict · 25/07/2020 14:22

Because they aren't and won't socially distance.

OP posts:

MRex · 25/07/2020 14:26

Your issue is only if your mum won't socially distance. If she won't, then don't bubble with her and that's the reason. If she will then bubble with her. You can't set yourself up to monitor the behaviour everyone else she has a distanced chat with, that's just silly, the point of her distancing is so she wouldn't catch it even if they have it.

Flip