Help me decide what to do?

[falalalalaalalalalaa]

Morning all I'm a single mum to a 1 year old and a 12 year old. Living far from my family who we are supposed to be going to for Christmas. But I am so so anxious I don't know what to do. For background I have hideous anxiety. My 12yo aside, we've not mingled at all through covid. I am absolutely terrified of picking up covid on our journey up there and passing it on. It seems omicron has a much shorter incubation period and so this seems inevitable.

If it wasn't for my 12 year old we would definitely just stay home but he would be devastated. So I want to go for him. It's not getting covid so much that I'm scared of. It is passing it on and effectively being trapped away from home to isolate. I've always been an introvert but am now virtually a recluse due to working from home, son growing out of primary, changing hobbies etc.

I want to put my son first and go with his wishes. I could perhaps see if he could go to his dad and family who are more local. I am just so anxious I'm grumpy, snappy and haven't slept for days for worrying.

Are you getting any help with your life changing anxiety ? These feelings you have are not based in reality and are impacting your children hugely.

You need to get help for your anxiety. You can't project this onto your children and limit their lives, it's incredibly unfair to them.

I’m not trying to make you more anxious OP but there’s a much higher chance of your child bringing it home from school than there is of you catching it on the way up by briefly stopping at a service station. When was he last at school and have you done daily lateral flows?

How will you get to your parents? Are you getting the train?

Yes we would be getting the train. It's two trains - just under three hours in total. So also concerned that Boris and co could bring in restrictions impeding our return.

My son did his regular Sunday night LFT and was negative.

I've been prescribed medication but I wouldn't say it has an effect to be honest. I usually manage my feelings by impromptu/unstructured social contact - going to work, school gates, sons sports clubs etc but that's all gone out of the window.

Thanks for the replies anyway

Go. Take precautions. Masks, sanitiser avoid eating if you can. Same for kids. Keep doing lft and your son too.

You might get it anywhere. Don't ruin your Christmas on a might.

Anxiety is super shite I know but this time you need to rise above it for your son.