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The original was posted on /r/relationships by /u/ml434241 on 2023-12-26 04:52:20+00:00.

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Hello! I (29M) have several nieces and nephews (6-11) on my sister’s side (36F) who I absolutely adore. Since the pandemic ended, they’ve been getting sick quite a bit–they’re kids, so naturally it happens. The trouble is that every time I see them, I get sick too. I’ve been sick for more than three months in total this year.

These aren’t just little colds, either. Unfortunately, these are awful viral and bacterial infections that make it impossible to work, socialize, date, or do anything for days to literal weeks per illness. It’s had a tremendous impact on my professional and social life. Moreover, it makes seeing them really difficult and not pleasant/enjoyable because the whole time I’m trying not to get coughed on.

I can’t just stop seeing them; I love them to pieces. But I don’t know what to do, or how to draw healthy boundaries between myself and my family with respect to this. I’ve spoken with my sister about this and we both have agreed there’s not much that we can do; kids get sick.

Have others here experienced anything similar? What have you tried?

Tldr: I love my nieces and nephews, but I always get sick around them. I’ve been sick for over three months this year because of it. Have others experienced this? Are there any boundaries I can set with my sister, or things I can try so that I don’t put my health at risk when seeing them, but still can be a good uncle?