Mother-of-four threatens to END relationship because of cornavirus concerns

A woman whose boyfriend is insisting on travelling to Spain amid the coronavirus outbreak has threatened to end the relationship if he goes ahead, because she could be left on her own with their children if he ends up being quarantined. 

Posting anonymously on British parenting site Mumsnet, the woman explained that she’s concerned how she will cope if her four children are off school or if she becomes unwell, while he has to self-isolate or potentially gets stranded in Spain. 

The mother-of-four admitted she’s already anxious by the spread of the virus and feels like her partner is prioritising his boys holiday over their family, especially because one of their children has respiratory issues.  

There is currently no official advice against travelling to Spain, which has reported more than 3,000 cases of coronavirus and 86 deaths, and insurance cancellation cover will not apply to people who don’t want to risk travelling. 

Responses to the post were torn but many agreed they wouldn’t be happy with their loved ones travelling during the pandemic. 

Explaining her predicament, the mother said her partner ‘refuses not to go’ on the boys holiday. 

‘Concerned that he could pick up the virus during his trip, she warned him that he would have to stay away for two weeks.  

‘He has a flat anyway so he says he will just stay the leaving me to deal with 4 kids for the next 3 weeks alone. With them possibly being ill/ quarantined from school/f*** knows what over the next few weeks.

‘I’m anxious about it all already and now I’m facing it alone because he priorotises his 4 night boys holiday over us.’  

Parts of Spain are now in lockdown, including Madrid, the Basque Country, La Rioja and Catalonia, posing the risk of not being able to get a flight back. 

‘I’m with you,’ one commenter told the worried mother. ‘He could show no symptoms but still be a carrier and pass it onto your son with respiratory issues. 

‘The whole thing is just so selfish. People saying travelling is no big deal really aren’t getting how this thing spreads.

‘Especially if you’re saying this is just the latest in a long line of selfish behaviour, yes I would end it,’ wrote one.

Another said: ‘This is more about him being able to just swan off and leaving you to do all the child care. I bet he makes all his plans and doesn’t even stop to think about who will look after the children.  

‘He’s selfish and YANBU to end your relationship the coronavirus is probably the final nail in the coffin for you.’

A third added: ‘YANBU. That is very selfish. Yes, it’s not Italy but is it worth the risk? No, especially when your son has respiratory issues. 

‘My partner was supposed to be going to London for an event at the end of March and he was going to cancel, much to the dismay of his friends, but he just didn’t want to risk it.

‘We have an 18-month-old, so we were both worried. Thankfully the event is now cancelled. I wouldn’t split up just for this reason seeing as you have children together but if there’s other reasons and he’s consistently selfish, then I would.’

Others argued that the chances of the children being diagnosed with the coronavirus is slim, therefore ending the relationship with their father because he’s travelling seems like an overreaction.

One person wrote: ‘YABU he’s not going to Northern Italy. Coronavirus is all over Europe/UK so why not still go unless schools shut down and you would need child cover. Your DC will be okay as far as CV goes it is very low risk for them even with respiratory issues.’

Another said: ‘You are overreacting, going to Spain isn’t a guarantee he catches coronavirus. I think you’re using this as a reason to split in an unhappy relationship.’

‘Yes YABU to end a relationship because he is going away abroad, unless there is another reason as to why you want to end it with him,’ added a third.