Single parents who are shielded- how are we meant to get our dc to school safely?

[SistemaAddict]

And is it safe for them to go once they are reopened assuming no vaccine has been made available at the time?

I have 2 dc at primary school. It's over a mile away and I don't drive so we normally walk there but get the public bus back in the afternoon as it's very hilly here. I'm shielded until nearly the end of July so I'm not sure how I would facilitate my children attending school IF they go back before then. My dc are in reception and year 6 and I'd love for them to finish the year in school if possible.

Is anyone else in this position? What are your thoughts?

[PumpkinP]

You will just have to walk, our school is a mile away and the same situation very hilly around here so we normally get the bus but I’m not getting on one now, no way. That’s if schools are back anyway and if they are then you will be mixing with others anyway when you drop them off/collect them? And also they could bring it home.

[Cupcakegirl13]

I think if you decide to send your kids to school then it’s game over on the shielding front anyway and you just resume normal life whilst taking precautions

[Frazzled2207]

Agree if children are going to school then effectively you’ve stopped shielding. Don’t think you should necessarily not send your kids to school though- your decision to make IMO. If you don’t want to leave the house could a friend walk them? Failing that I think risk of you walking would be low but I would be avoiding the public bus part.

[SistemaAddict]

That's what I'm worried about, the risks. More than happy to walk as I'm actually missing the school run. We live in a picturesque place and have lovely views, can walk through the woods and along the canal and through two parks instead of along the road if we have time.

[SunShine682]

You wouldn't be shielding if you send your children to school all day.. mixing with others so I think the walk there and back isn’t really a problem

[ElephantLover]

If I were a single parent who was vulnerable enough to be shielding I'd much rather my children miss school for a few months than lose the only parent they have. Would be a no brainer to me.

[SistemaAddict]

Quite. So what do the governments and schools expect us to do if shielding?

[Sirzy]

It is DS who is shielding here so no matter what he won’t be back at school before September

[AmputatedSoul]

Completely agree with Elephant.

I'm shielding too and my DD won't be going back until September. It's just not worth the risk. And I say this as someone who knows 4 people who have lost their life to Covid 19.

It is not worth the risk.

[BeyondMymymymyCorona]

I'm shielding, DP is as she provides personal care so is not able to stay 2m away from me/in a separate room at all times. Our DCs will not be at school before October (would be September, but we'll give it an extra month to check that new term doesn't start off another surge...!)

If the LEA want to fine us, carry on. If we have to take them out, we will. "Luckily" we're on UC/PIP so don't need to worry any more than usual about money.

[Recoverandthrive]

Agree with elephant too. Sorry you are in this situation but ultimately its a weigh up and I know which one I woukd choose.

[katienana]

If I was shielding then I wouldn't send my kids back yet. I'm not in a vulnerable household and I expect to go back to the "new normal" when allowed, but you have to do what's right for you.

[Letseatgrandma]

If you send your children to school then you aren’t shielding. It’s pretty irrelevant how you get them there.

[Onmyown1]

I’m a shielding single parent and have 2 primary children in year 4 & 5. I’m working from home at present. I’m thinking that I’ll be keeping mine off until September at least. Although I’m lucky and my employers (large company) have said we’ll be working from home indefinitely.