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Original poster

Can I have a support. bubble?

30 replies

Gumps · 15/10/2020 12:25

I live in London and am now moving into tier 2. My husband is working away for the next 8 weeks (professional sport so he is in his own bubble). I have 3 kids and run my own business. Can I create a support bubble with my parents or can they still come for child care?

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 12:27

You're not a single adult household so you can't form a support bubble

LadyCatStark · 15/10/2020 12:28

They can still provide childcare. As for bubbling, hmm who knows 🤷‍♀️. But if your parents can provide childcare then maybe the bubbling is not an issue?

10storeylovesong · 15/10/2020 12:28

Informal childcare with one other household is allowed.

purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 12:30

@LadyCatStark

They can still provide childcare. As for bubbling, hmm who knows 🤷‍♀️. But if your parents can provide childcare then maybe the bubbling is not an issue?
Well the bubbling is clear on the rules as to who can do it. It's whether people choose to read them property and follow them....

Not judging but just saying I don't think people want to read the rules to find out

LadyCatStark · 15/10/2020 12:32

No, we’re already taxed up to our eyeballs. Poor DH works 12 hour days at the moment to get everything done and is just into the higher rate bracket. By the time he’s paid tax and national insurance it’s hardly worth his effort and it all gets handed over to someone who doesn’t work anyway.

LangClegsInSpace · 15/10/2020 12:34

www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high#childcare

Devlesko · 15/10/2020 12:35

Higher rate bracket, my heart bleeds Shock

purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 12:38

@LadyCatStark

No, we’re already taxed up to our eyeballs. Poor DH works 12 hour days at the moment to get everything done and is just into the higher rate bracket. By the time he’s paid tax and national insurance it’s hardly worth his effort and it all gets handed over to someone who doesn’t work anyway.
Is this supposed to be in this thread?
WankPuffins · 15/10/2020 12:41

it all gets handed over to someone who doesn’t work anyway.

Nice, @LadyCatStark Hmm

OP surely for the next 8 weeks if your Dh isn’t coming home
You count as a single adult household? Because if he left you you would be, even if he were to return after 8 weeks.

purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 12:45

Well no he's still part of the household isn't he he's not there for that time.
It makes me laugh, if you want to bend the rules don't pretend they mean you can do it, just own it and say you're not doing the rules!

LST · 15/10/2020 12:45

Regardless of what tier we find ourselves in we are still using my parents for childcare and we aren't a single parent household

OverTheRainbow88 · 15/10/2020 12:49

OP I would, if your parents are happy. As technically they can provide child care.

Youandmeareluckytobeus · 15/10/2020 12:50

No.

minipie · 15/10/2020 12:57

Childcare bubbles are allowed - one other household can provide childcare for your children, as long as it’s always the same household.

CatsForLife · 15/10/2020 13:00

For all those saying childcare bubble is making up your own rules - it isn’t. I’m in an area which has been under these restrictions since July. Childcare bubbles are allowed. The person doesn’t have to be single. It’s in the government website.

BumbleNova · 15/10/2020 13:03

You absolutely are allowed childcare support bubbles still.

@purpleme12 no bending of the rules at all! It is explicitly allowed...

purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 13:06

@CatsForLife

For all those saying childcare bubble is making up your own rules - it isn’t. I’m in an area which has been under these restrictions since July. Childcare bubbles are allowed. The person doesn’t have to be single. It’s in the government website.
Support bubbles for single adult households are different to childcare bubbles actually.

Childcare bubble would be allowed. Support bubble wouldn't as I said in my post

purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 13:07

@BumbleNova

You absolutely are allowed childcare support bubbles still.

@purpleme12 no bending of the rules at all! It is explicitly allowed...

I didn't say childcare bubble wouldn't be allowed I said in this situation she wouldn't qualify for a 'support bubble' These are different things
Original poster
Gumps · 15/10/2020 14:39

Thank you for the replies. I had a moment of oh god 8 weeks without adult contact and lost my head slightly.
My parents are happy to be a child care bubble and after reading gov.uk that is within the rules so we are good. They also provide child care for my sister who isn't in London but that doesn't seem to be an issue at the moment as they can go between both households.
On a side note feeling vulnerable and then reading some of the harsh replies it saddens me that people take the time to reply in such a negative manner. I've already done 4 weeks alone and, whilst I know other people are in a far worse situations, it's pretty tough mentally.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 15/10/2020 14:44

The government website does say a childcare bubble should be 2 households exclusively ie your grandparents shouldn't be moving between both.
Again it's up to your whether you comply I'm just pointing out the rules

LolaLollypop · 15/10/2020 14:46

OP you will always get people on here who want everyone to be as miserable as possible during Covid. You are allowed to form a bubble with your parents as they are providing childcare. I’m in the same position- In London with two young DC and my mum has always helped me out (she lives in one of the surrounding counties).
Don’t forget you can still meet with anyone outdoors (up to 6 people), so if you’re feeling a bit stir crazy, make sure you get some dates in the diary with friends and family outside. Lots of the pubs in London now have installed many more tables and heat lamps so some sort of social life can continue! Plus play dates in parks etc.

GreyishDays · 15/10/2020 14:52

Off on a tangent, but you know you only pay higher rate tax on the salary over the higher rate threshold?
So it’s not like he’s suddenly being taxed a load more. So if he earns £52k, he only pays the 40% on £2k. Might make you feel a bit better.

IndecentFeminist · 15/10/2020 14:53

Your husband is away therefore your household only has one adult. I'd crack on with no guilt whatsoever

LJC1234 · 15/10/2020 14:59

Why are there so many people talking about tax on this topic Hmm

OP I am sure childcare bubbles are fine and I absolutely don't blame you! 8 weeks without adult company would not be fair

SqidgeBum · 15/10/2020 15:00

People have become nasty, cold, unfeeling shells during covid 19. They see a rule, and they are incapable of applying empathy to those who find the consequences of that rule extremely difficult. All they can do is snap and demand compliance, and then apply guilt and shame to hammer home how great they are, and how awful you are.

Technically, you cannot have a support bubble. You can have a childcare bubble. However, there is also room there for caring for a vulnerable person. I would class you as vulnerable to serious mental health issues as you are basically a single working Mum without any help or adult conversation for the pretty long length of time that your husband is away. I would see your parents if I were you.

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