Dear Miriam: ‘My parents want to go to Lanzarote on holidays’

Dear Miriam,

I’m a 30-something year-old woman with a young family. However, the issue I’m having doesn’t pertain to them. In fact, it’s about my parents in their 60s, who I think have lost the run of themselves.

My mother and father informed me in recent weeks that because they’re fully vaccinated they plan on going on holidays to Lanzarote in August!

I’ve outlined all of these scenarios to them and conveyed my fears

To be honest Miriam, I think this is madness. I know they’ve had their two shots and all the rest, but I just think things are too uncertain at the minute with the Delta variant. What if Lanzarote goes into lockdown while they’re over there? What if one of them still catches COVID-19 over there, they get a positive PCR test and can’t come home?

I’ve outlined all of these scenarios to them and conveyed my fears, but they’ve more or less told me they’re going and that’s it.

I’m starting to feel like the parent in this situation

To be honest, I just think they’re being so irresponsible. We would all love to go out foreign on our holidays this year, but really, it’s just not on the cards. Would a staycation somewhere not suffice?

I’m starting to feel like the parent in this situation and that they’re the children. I just can’t believe they’re being so reckless. Also, they’re not even keeping it a secret. They’re going around telling half the town.

What do you think I should do, Miriam? Should I be more forceful in telling them they shouldn’t go away or what way would you suggest approaching the issue?

Freaky Friday

Dear Freaky Friday,

Thank you very much for getting in touch. I would like to begin by saying that I understand your worries. It is natural to want to keep your parents safe, especially in these challenging and changing times.

This week Digital COVID Certificates will begin being issued to those who are vaccinated

In relation to your parents travelling abroad, let’s look at facts. While things are very susceptible to change at the moment, we do have something to go on in relation to EU travel, which includes Lanzarote.

This week Digital COVID Certificates will begin being issued to those who are vaccinated or who have had COVID-19 in the past six months. As your parents have been vaccinated, they should receive them in due course.

When they receive these, it should aid their travel plans. With the Digital COVID Cert you will not need a negative PCR test to travel.

Guidelines on travel within the EU are changing at present, so I would suggest you tell your parents to keep abreast with what is happening there. Perhaps even if they waited a couple of weeks before booking, things will become clearer as to what is or is not possible. If their plan is to go in August, maybe things will be slightly more bedded in by then.

Offer them support and gently guide them towards the safest options

Overall, your heart is most definitely in the right place and I admire your concern for your parents, but I think you should also make allowances for them. Like many, they probably want to restart their lives again with some semblance of normality.

Try not to be too hard on them. Offer them support and gently guide them towards the safest options. Make sure they know the facts.

Try and see things from the other person’s perspective

I would also suggest that you encourage them to book with a reputable travel agent. If any issues were to arise, this would help.

Remember, compassion is key during this pandemic. Try and see things from the other person’s perspective.

Wishing you all the best,

Miriam

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