Is anyone else in this situation as a single parent..?

[FreesiaFairy]

My baby goes to his dad's twice a week.. I'm in a bubble with my parents but they are quite old / not 100% healthy, so I'm worried about going over there for Christmas as there are a few people who live at my ex's house (his family) and I can't be sure how careful they've all been with regards to the virus. We are in the southeast so there is a lot of the virus around apparently.. I might end up on my own with baby at Christmas.. not end of the world but not how I'd imagine spending Christmas, anyone else in this situation?

I might try and get us a test done tomorrow and isolate / ask ex if he can not see baby till Christmas day (he's due to have him Christmas Eve and then a couple of hours on Christmas day) is it unreasonable to say he just has him on Boxing Day, as when the baby comes back on Christmas day I'll need to go home with him so spend Christmas evening on our own.

You cannot reduce contact, and unless you are talking about paying for a private test this is not an appropriate use of testing.

We only have an informal contact arrangement and he may be understanding if it means I'll be on my own at Christmas. That's true about the test. Private one would be the only option then.

I'm wondering if anyone else is in this situation and having to spend Christmas on their own (with child/baby) because of it

I'll be on my own completely at Christmas as my DS is at his dad's this year. It's one year, I'm just sucking it up.

Would it work if (for example) he had baby Christina's Day afternoon to evening - so you and baby spend part of day with your parents, he picks baby up from there and drops baby back to your home in the evening, and then has baby again Boxing Day? Same amount of time so hopefully he would be agreeable but reduces any risk to your parents...?

I work in a high risk environment myself and can't isolate as I can't work from home so I've chosen not to see relatives.

Get a test if you need one.

@Grenlei thanks, yes I think this sounds like a good compromise.. so will have Christmas morning with baby and parents, and he can have him after nap so from around 2.30-5.30 or something, and then I'll be at my home with baby in evening.

Only thing I'm worrying about it what if we / or one of us already has the virus? The baby could have picked it up when he was over there yesterday for example, or during the week? It's hard when you don't know for sure how careful the other household is being x

An alternative is that you give him the baby on Christmas Eve and then you go and see your parents alone. I don't think it's necessarily far to expect him to be the one who reduces contact when it's you who is concerned.

I would suggest the Christmas morning with you option and afternoon with dad, there’s no harm in asking.

Yes there’s always the risk one for you could have covid. It’s shit

I’m on my own from 22nd to 25th morning . Was meant to be with my parents (support bubble) but as I’m tier 4 and they are tier 2 we’ve decided not worth the risk .
My ex actually asked if I wanted some extra time with them before 25th but I said it was fine as I am working anyway .

Agree with get a test and split the day up between you both.

Thanks everyone, we're booked in for a test (there is a center nearby where you don't need symptoms to be tested)

We had our tests done which are negative, but my parents are saying it's only 70% accurate.. I'm not prepared to say to my ex he can't see his son (or should I say, see him inside) - this tier 4 could go on for months!? I feel so lonely