To keep DD off school or not?

[AjasLipstick]

For background, we live in Australia where it's going to hit 40 degrees today (100f)

And I can't drive...we walk to school which is about a mile away. DD is 9.

I am learning to drive but in the meantime, on hot days if DH can get home early, he does so that he can pick DD up...our older DD is away.

Sometimes one of DD's classmates' parents will see us and pick us up or offer us a lift but there's no knowing because all of the women I know at school work part time and have varying shifts.

We walked home once last year on a 44 degree day and I actually thought I was going to die....I was quite ill and it felt terrible to walk in that heat.

[Bizzysocks]

Could you ride bikes? Would be quicker and you get a bit of a breeze

[AjasLipstick]

Unfortunately both of our bikes are not working at the moment....I need to get the tires fixed on both, That would have been a good option.

[Sirzy]

Any public transport or taxis?

If not I would walk just take all the normal sensible precautions and lots of water etc.

[Trailedanderror]

Give yourself plenty of time, take water and walk it very slowly. Obviously stay in the shade as much as you can, but most of all
s-l-o-w-l-y
Have you always lived there?

[SezziBaybee]

Stay home and enjoy your day together. Xx

[AjasLipstick]

Trail no we're British. I don't think taking it slowly makes a bit of difference when it's 40 plus...that's 100 degrees F and there is no shade because the sun is so blinding it just seems to fall in a way where at that time of day you get a little wedge of shade to walk in occasionally but nothing mostly.

I have a parasol with sun protection but I don't know...it feels awful to walk in that sort of heat.

[AjasLipstick]

Sirzy no taxis here...we live rurally and the one uber is always unavailable. I do take precautions but it still feels absolutely terrible....I get quite sick with it.

[readysteadyteddy]

Ex Aussie here, slip, slap, slop. What does your school say about it?

[CommanderDaisy]

That's Australia for you. February sucks.
Everyone keeps on going though, heat or not.
It's not really a valid reason re the school for keeping her home unfortunately.
But.....she's 9 - her education will not be ruined because of staying home. So.
Except...tonnes of days are like this, heat wise as I am sure you know - so what is your next move if the temperature is similar tomorrow?
You can't keep her home everytime the mercury cracks 40 which is often. My sons have a walk from the bus, and they use umbrellas to shade them when it's super hot.
Ratchet up the pace of your driving lessons.

[AjasLipstick]

Ready they don't seem to have a policy....and hats and suncream don't stop me feeling faint walking a mile to school then a mile back.

It's my problem...not DDs and that's why I feel guilty at the thought of not sending her....she would be ok there with an air conditioned classroom but doesn't like the walk home when its hot but she doesnt get as ill as I do.

[AjasLipstick]

Commander I've lived here for 3 years...I know what the weather's like. 40 plus isn't that common...when it's under 40 I seem to manage...it's just horrendous over 40 though.

[AjasLipstick]

Also I can only afford the lessons I am having...I can't ramp them up.

[readysteadyteddy]

Rural area might be easier on the driving. As the pp says, double up on lessons and get that test passed.

If you do keep her off, ask the school for the work so at least DD can catch up at home, they might be able to email something.

Is there anyone you could ring, offer to pay for petrol for a lift?

[Wolfiefan]

Why do you get ill? Take iced water. Wear a hat. Take a fan and a water spray.
Unfortunately as a PP said it isn't one day is it?

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

Sounds like you get heatstroke. A hat and loads of water.

[AjasLipstick]

I can't double up the lessons. It is expensive.

[readysteadyteddy]

Then get DH to take you out if he drives.

[Historicallyinaccurate]

Take a cold bottle of hydrolyte, wet neck scarf and umbrellas/parasols. I sympathize though, it's incredibly dehydrating.
I know a few kids who sometimes stay off, depends where you live and how often it goes over 40 I guess.

[AjasLipstick]

Wolfie have you ever walked 2 miles in heat that's over 40?

I suppose I get ill because I am 45 and don't cope with the heat.

[AjasLipstick]

Teddy no...DH is terrible at teaching. He panics and then I panic.

[readysteadyteddy]

Wolfiefan I used to get sunstroke and I was born to it! Some people's cooling systems just aren't as efficient as others. It's like when people "feel the cold" in the UK and others don't.

If you are planning a trip back to the UK OP, come in the UK summer. You will freeze if not because the blood thins, this is not a myth!

[Wolfiefan]

Yes I have.
You live rurally in a country that gets very hot this time of year. You don't drive and don't have working bikes.
You can't keep her off school every time it gets hot. So make sensible provision. Get a lift or sort the bikes. Or find somewhere shady to sit and rehydrate before walking back. Fan, iced water, water spray, cooling towels, hat, sensible clothing.

[blueletter]

Umbrellas! Seriously go grab a couple of umbrellas and walk with those up. It'll keep the sun off you a good amount. Im in the southwest UK and I have an umbrella for doing the school run in the summer. I burn so easy.

Other mums look at me weird. Fat, wearing shorts, sunnies and a big brolly but fuck em.

[FissionChips]

I’d keep her off school, 40 degree heat is just too much for me to even contemplate walking in.

[Katyb1310]

Keep her at home if it's not something that happens every day. You'll know the area you live in and what it's like and you say you don't get many days over 40. I can't imagine it being pleasant for walking 2 miles. We had a few hot days last summe4 (UK so not THAT hot in comparison - maybe high 20s) and I felt awful walking a long distance.