I'm not getting home for Christmas, am I?

[Opus17]

I know no one can actually answer this for me.

But I just want to go home for Christmas. I'm from the UK, live in the EU. I've followed all the rules, I was pregnant when covid hit, my son was born in summer 2020. I've stayed home, I've kept my distance, I've worn masks, I've accepted two trips home being cancelled, I've understood it was necessary. I haven't seen my family in 2 and a half years (only my mum once). The rest of my family haven't met my son (16 months). I want to go home. I want to hug my family. I want them to meet my son. I feel teary at the thought of this new variant stopping me from being on that plane in 3 weeks.
I have friends but none of them live here (three very good friends moved away just before the pandemic within a year of each other). I just miss being around my family / friends, it's starting to really get me down now and whenever someone mentions Christmas, I just get a lump in my stomach cause I won't get excited until I'm sitting on the plane.

I'm fully vaccinated. So is my husband. I still breastfeed, so my son should have some antibodies hopefully. We are isolating in the run up to our flight to keep us and everyone safe. We are being as responsible as we can because I'm desperate to come home. I just want to sit in my mum's living room and chat. I want to see my auntie and cousins and play stupid games. I want to visit my dad and his wife, my sister and my brothers. I know this might seem insignificant and silly with how serious the situation is, and I know this. But being apart from my family for so long is unusual and I guess I'm just struggling a bit now.

I've watched people fly all over the place to visit family or go on holiday, and it just seems ridiculously unfair that we could be in some sort of lockdown / have a travel ban when it's my turn. Yes, this all sounds very self-pity, but I promise I haven't been like this until now. I just feel ridiculously sad about it all.

We've had our flights booked for months, obviously if they weren't yet booked, I don't even know if we'd be booking with what's going on now. I'm buying some British treats for Christmas (quality street, matchmakers, mince pies, Christmas pudding) just in case we are stuck here again.

I just needed to get it out somewhere. Thank you for reading this far.

I hope you can x

I haven't seen my dad since 2019 so I do know how you feel

My daughter is meant to be travelling on Saturday to start a new job abroad

It's all so uncertain isn't it

Come now?

I Think it will be fine. What country?

I'm wondering the same. Praying we'll get out too.

We can't go for 3 weeks as have kids in school

Can you go now? That’s what I’d do. Change your flight abd worry about flying back later. I’m also away from my family but I got home to see my parents in the summer. I know how you feel. It’s so stressful.

Oh I really feel for you, must be so hard . Hope you manage to get over here. Good luck.

I hear you. I live in the UK, my family are in Ireland. We haven't seen them for 2 years. We're due to visit for Christmas. It's too early to start panicking but I am worried. Nothing to do but take it a day at a time. Fingers crossed for you and me, and everyone else in a similar shit situation

But why do you think you won't be going? Europe has lots of Covid now so no reason to put the UK on a red list.

I have every intention of being in Ireland in 4 weeks time.

Sounds so difficult. Hope you get to go. Good luck.

You need at least two more back up plans. Can you fly out now even in your own and spend longer? Can you drive instead? The channel tunnel stayed open throughout. You could drive easily as the borders are unlikely to close.

If I was feeling like you regularly I would be considering a move back. I know the feeling you describe. It is awful. Homesickness actually makes you feel sick, who knew? I gave up after six years and went home, as I couldn't bear missing so much. Covid is going to continue, so maybe work around visiting more often in the spring and summer months when infection rates will naturally be lower?

Thanks for the lovely replies so far, and I'm sorry to hear about those of you in the same situation. It really is awful.

We sadly can't fly yet due to DH's work. (I've looked into this and his work is awful and won't let him work remotely). He's working up until December 20th, and I could fly without him but he's German so if the UK close the borders, then he won't be able to come over and we'll be spending a month apart.

@TheYearOfSmallThings There's just so much chatter of closing borders again and restrictions, I'm worried about our flights being cancelled or of closing of borders again

@Fairylights25 I actually love living here. We have a good life and I'm happy but that was when I was also going home 3 times a year. Covid obviously stopped all that and I was coping OK until the last few months. We could definitely look into driving so long as the borders stay open. Not sure DS would be so happy with such a long drive, but it meant getting home, it's something we can look into

I think mainland Europe has handled Covid/vaccine roll out quite poorly this year and I'm sorry you're potentially facing another lockdown.

I sympathise OP. My family are in Western Australia with strict border controls, I haven't seen my parents for 2 years now. They've missed out on my DCs toddlerhood and it's just so sad.

Hope you make it to the UK

That is good that you are happy where you are, and hopefully you can get home as planned. I know it is such a worry at this time of year, as the covid infection rate always worsens. Is it possible for your dh to take some leave and you could fly in a few weeks early and have an early Christmas with your family for a week and fly back home before they do start closing things down? I do understand, as Germany looks pretty bad - and I would be thinking the same as you.

We had Christmas in August this year. I didn't see my parents for so long, even though we live in the same country as they are too afraid to meet up.

Same boat here.

Overseas teacher, not made it back to UK for 2 years.

It's a bit shit.

We'll have a nice Xmas here if need be (last year was actually lovely as I got to spend it with dc, who normally go to their dad in the UK each year), but it's not great for my parents who haven't seen me or their dgc since December '19.

Plus I've got several hundred quid's worth of online shopping I was going to get sent to my parents - not a massive deal in the grand scheme of things, but infuriating! All stuff you can't get out here.

Same. Due to go back to Ireland for Christmas, my brother is coming over from US with his wife and my nephew who was born in March 20 and we've never met. Been looking forward to it for so long, would be devastated if we can't see them.

I see no 'chatter' about closing borders & cancelling flights.

There should be no reason to prevent you coming home.

The only one that might affect you is how cavalier the UK approach to Covid management has been, it certainly has been felt to have impacted the extent of the spread of Delta in Ireland due to our proximity.

I hope you've a lovely Christmas with your family. 🎄

I sympathise totally. Not seen my parents for 26 months now (they are abroad and are vulnerable). It just sucks.

The only one that might affect you is how cavalier the UK approach to Covid management has been

I burst out laughing at this! We are likely to be the only European country along with Sweden to remain out of lockdown! Thanks to our 'cavalier' but world class scientists (didn't see any vaccines coming out of Ireland to save the world btw but you can save your thanks for another day) whom had the very good sense to open everything up in the middle of the summer when infection rates were low and the weather was on our side, to take the pressure off the winter. But hey don't let the actual facts stand in your way earringsandLipstick

Noting that ireland is already talking about more restrictions or are they just blindly following the EU like sheep as they normally do tagging along for the ride?

I feel so much for you. We have friends who teach in thr middle east. Haven't been home since summer hols 2019. Elderly parents etc.

I really feel for you, and I feel so grateful and happy that everyone I love is within an hour's drive of me. I have seen quite a few people I know get really low and down. because they - or their loved ones - moved abroad some years ago, and they have not seen them for nearly 2 years because of Covid. I can't even imagine it.

Similar here. Baby born first lockdown, no one had met him.
However we fortunately managed a trip back in September before cases rose again.

Dh father is pretty sick, so if we can’t fly and need to get back we are going to have to do the 18hr drive ( with Ds 19 months).

There is a night train with car cargo option and cabins which if it’s running will reduce car drive time, maybe you have similar?

England also won’t accept a vaccine if not done by NHS… even if it’s the Pfizer or one recognised here!

I lived abroad for a long time so I totally get the need to go home when you haven't done it for so long.

In your position I would look to change your flight and fly out earlier with your son. Husband follows on the 20th, driving if air travel is too hard.

Worst case scenario and your husband can't join you then you fly back to Germany just before xmas so that you can all have xmas together there.

I feel similar. We are supposed to be flying to my inlaws in Europe. Our flights last Easter were cancelled. Our flights last Christmas were cancelled. Our flights the previous Easter were cancelled.
The kids and their grandparents are desperate to see each other.