https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:11:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912080 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 15:06:40 +0000 Grace 2912080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would. I think it’s important to help eachother get through this. I don’t think it’s going to be a short time, and we can’t do it alone. Having said that, I asked my husband if he would watch my coworkers kids when he is home with ours during the school closure and he said no. So if you refuse, you wouldn’t be the only one who feels that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912060 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:19:01 +0000 josina 2912060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jennlin821: Since the mom doesn't have her own place (and we need SD to watch our two) we definitely don't want to send her there, nor do I think SD would want to do that.<br /> Good point about making sure to have those conversations up front to make sure everyone is on board, and having that 'trial week' to make sure it goes well. Its also crazy to think this could go on much longer than 4 weeks so we will definitely need points to reevaluate.<br /> @DesertDreams88: Thanks, SD is fine with watching her sister.</p> <p>I think we've decided to let her come but will be clear up front that if the mom (or anyone in her house) gets sick that her daughter can't come since she'd be next to get it and we want to keep our kids/family healthy.<br /> I'm going to talk with her about times /etc. and making sure she gets picked up on time each day as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912059 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:10:45 +0000 DesertDreams88 2912059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would help. A factory of 20 is small, and hopefully you can persuade the mom to take good precautions about exposure. We all need to help each other weather this storm, and that includes helping people keep their jobs if possible. </p> <p>I don't know the details of the situation, but I think your step-daughter's opinion is the most important here. It's her sister, and her responsibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912053 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:59:21 +0000 jennlin821 2912053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are a couple alternate solutions here. Could you have the 9yr old sleep at your house during the school week? That way no one's sleep is interupted, she will feel more a part of your household and you will limit her exposure to her mom (for contagion purposes). She can go back to her house friday night-sunday. </p> <p>Or could your step-daughter live at her mom's for the month? </p> <p>Any way you choose to slice this, the biggest thing is comminicating expecations and rules. We all need to bend and help during this time, so do what you can. If you do agree, I would definentally say the first week is trial to see if it works for everyone. Then at the end of the week, sit down all together and have a family meeting to make sure everyone is still on board, and to work out any problems/kinks. We are all very tense and stressed so our breaking points are much higher than usual. Extreme open coomunication will be key to navigating this situation as you currently don't have ANY real commuication with that family. </p> <p>Good Luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912052 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:54:10 +0000 josina 2912052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: They were never married... letting her child stay in our home is as far as we would go to help in this situation.<br /> She does not have lots of money and is staying with a family friend because she hasn't gotten a place of her own since moving yet. We are not in a place to help her financially.</p> <p>@Mama Bird: No one is high risk thankfully.</p> <p>@raspberries: @SugarplumsMom: @charm55: Thanks for all the opinions, either way. Its good to have an opinion from people removed from the (awkward) situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912050 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:44:03 +0000 charm55 2912050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would. I think we all need to help each other out as much as is reasonably possible during these times. It sounds like she is in a really tough spot right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912047 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:33:43 +0000 Anagram 2912047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it, if the 9 year old had no one else to watch her. If the Ex loses her job because of no childcare, are you all able to help financially? </p> <p>For me, I wouldn’t feel comfortable not helping someone I was once married to and shared a child with, if I was able to help (I’m talking about your husband here), especially if the SD is able to help and is willing. Unless you are super okay with the ex losing her job, maybe becoming homeless. I don’t know her financial situation, I just assume a factory worker doesn’t have tons and tons of money. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. </p> <p>I just saw a post on my local mom group where a woman was saying her work was requiring her to go in, but her daycare is closed now and her 14 month old has pink eye. She was asking strangers if anyone could watch her—that’s pure desperation. That’s where we are at now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912045 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:17:13 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2912045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not if there's young children in the house. It's OK to protect your babies. Everyone else can just learn to deal with it :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912044 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:12:54 +0000 josina 2912044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: Thats a good point too. Hopefully we hear today about what she'll be required to do from home. </p> <p>We do have the option still to send our younger two to daycare and would 'possibly' do so one day to 1-1/2 days per week to give SD a day off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912042 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:03:32 +0000 Madison43 2912042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: having another kid around so their parent could work wouldn’t bother me, but if your step daughter is still is HS, I wonder how much remote work she’ll be assigned, and if she’ll actually be able to babysit her? Our sitter could not believe the amount of take home work her middle schooler was given. It wouldn’t make me not do it, just something to consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912040 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:45:42 +0000 josina 2912040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BUNBUN: We don't really have a relationship with SD's mom at all... it's definitely been strained in the past and now DH and her just don't communicate since SD is old enough where they don't need to. We JUST went through the child support battle last fall after a year+ of her not paying anything. </p> <p>SD is fine with it and the daughter would probably be more of a help since she's older and can play with our kids, 5:30 am is super early though, I'm wondering if she'll just come in and go back to sleep.</p> <p>Good point about if we do say yes, having her wash her hands, etc right away.<br /> We are all healthy so not too worried about getting it - I'm just trying to keep every away from it before my sister's wedding April 4th (although that could change with all these mandatory closings ! :sad: )<br /> I checked with my brother who works with SD's mom and there is less than 20 at the factory now, so not too bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912038 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:42:19 +0000 raspberries 2912038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it, assuming no elderly/immunocompromised people are in your house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912037 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:37:43 +0000 Mama Bird 2912037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is anyone in your family high-risk? That would be a big factor for me. </p> <p>Also, if there are no other options, what about having the girl just stay with you for a month? It sounds crazy of course, not sure if you and her mom would be on board, but it would mean she's cared for and you're not increasing your exposure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912036 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:34:08 +0000 BUNBUN 2912036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is tough. How well do you get along with SD's mom - can there be open communication about health and safety procedures? How well do you all know SD's sister? Is she willing to follow your house rules while she is there? Is SD up to the challenge of babysitting for 12+ hours/day?<br /> I'd start by talking with DH and then your SD about how much of a responsibility this would be and what kinds of house cleaning, hand washing, disinfecting procedures you expect everyone to follow. For instance, as a teacher, my DH comes in a goes straight to the shower, does not go to the kitchen, does not say hi to DS, showers and changes all clothing and puts it straight in the washing machine. He does that during flu season every year, but especially now.<br /> If anyone is immunocompromised, I'd probably lean toward no, but on the other hand, I so feel for parents who have to work and have no childcare options! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-answer-this-coronavirus-related#post-2912033 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:19:50 +0000 josina 2912033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Backstory - Stepdaughter (17) lives with us full-time. Her mom just moved back from Florida last fall, and she has another daughter, 9 that lives with her.</p> <p>Our schools just closed for 4 weeks as of 8:00 last night.<br /> At 11 I got a text from my step-daughter's mom wanting to bring her daughter to our house so SD can babysit her.</p> <p>How would you answer that? </p> <p>Her mom also works in a factory so her exposure compared to ours (DH-1 person, mine-5 usually) is huge. She would be dropping her off at 5:30 in the morning, before any of us usually get up. Not sure on pick-up time.<br /> ETA: our kids are 5 and 3. </p>