Submitted by knect4 t3_10tnv3q in relationship_advice
TLDR - My dad is asking why he can't get closer to my son after he says recent data shows COVID vaccines do nothing.
My father (53M) became a grandfather about 4 months ago. Before my son was born, my wife (34F) and I (30M) agreed that we only wanted him to be around vaccinated people. My wife is a nurse and saw firsthand many of the difficulties associated with COVID; I told my dad last summer before my son was born that we wouldn't allow unvaccinated people to be around or hold him.
My dad travels for work across the US - typically he will leave on Monday and return on Friday. His frequent travel is something that has worried us more in regards to our child.
Today, he told me that he no longer understands why he can't hold his grandson. To be fair, with my life (I'm essentially a stay-at-home dad balancing reserve military requirements - and facing an upcoming tour which will take me away for several months) I haven't really read additional data or studies in regards to the vaccines.
I'm open to all data, studies, resources, etc.; but I'm wondering if I'm in the wrong for keeping my father away from my son. My wife will still most likely be against exposing our son to my father - and I will be backing her up.
I just don't know how to answer my dad, I think I should be open to actually seeing if there is a legitimate risk to my son with COVID and my unvaccinated dad...really I'm not certain what I'm looking for but I want to give this matter due diligence.
I know that my dad should respect the decisions that my wife and I have made for our child - this post isn't so much about that as me wanting to give him a real answer or to start the process of letting him really meet his grandson (which is something I do really want but not at the expense of risking my child's health).
I'll take anything and everything you've got.