Overseas family visit leaving my 8 year old behind

[NorthernLassie21]

I'm currently living in New Zealand with hubby and my 2 children (8 & 3). My 92 year old mum in England has broken her hip, been in hospital for ages and now moved into a care home this week while we work out what to do next. Because of covid I've not seen her for 2 years so am anxious to come over to help her. I'm about to book flights for this later month, bringing my 3 year old. But I can't decide what to do about my 8 year old son - he is on summer holidays from school so could stay he with my husband and have his friends around. I know he'd love to see my UK family but I'm worried he'll get bored and be too energetic for my mum. Plus I can probably find childcare for my 3 year old if I needed to but not so easy with an 8 year old. I feel sick at being apart for 7 weeks, and he is going through a sensitive tearful stage, but then he'll have fun staying here and am I being selfish. I'm stressing about what to do. Thanks!

Oh goodness what a situation.
Was your mum at home before the fall? So you will be staying there with the boys if they come? Or are you going to have to find accommodation?

I agree with others children may not be allowed into care home at all. Do you have friends or relatives here who can watch them while you visit if that's the case?

I think of you still be alone here might be incredibly difficult to manage your mums needs and look after children. You won't be able to enrol them into school, you may find paid childcare.... But there I have been nursery closures and childminders giving up for to covid and there is a risk of it being limited to key workers only etc if more restrictions come in. They may be very bored with little to do and then having to quarantine on way home too.

I would be tempted to leave them too for their own sake unless you have lots of contact and support network here

I would consider coming for a much shorter period, it's all very "dynamic" at the moment and I'd be worried you'd get stuck here. Which would make coming on your own without either DC much more feasible

Take him with you, it might be the last time his gran sees him and the last time he sees his gran.

Could he fly home alone as an unaccompanied minor and only visit for a couple of weeks? Sorry I have no idea how this is working with covid and whether he would need to change plane.

I wouldn't bring children as you may find by then that you cannot bring kids into shops/restaurants etc or that it's frowned up at the very least

What would you do if you can’t take your 3 year old into the care home? Do you have someone to leave him with?