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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think schools should get with the times re working parents.

818 replies

working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:31

Why can't they be open 8-6 for everyone? It would help reduce gender inequality in the work place

AIBU - DON'T BE SILLY
YANBU - actually you have a point

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 24/05/2024 20:46

Aren't you glad you don't live in Switzerland where school runs on random mornings and afternoons and changes each year and the kids all go home for lunch?

English schools are already set up to make life easier for working parents. If they weren't it would be like Switzerland.

If you want to warehouse your kid send them boarding at 7.

Pollipops1 · 24/05/2024 20:46

They can but DO THEY?

DH does 3 drop offs & 1-2 pick ups a week.

MultiplaLight · 24/05/2024 20:46

This situation really isn't on schools.

You chose to take on a mortgage needing two incomes, unless you're a single parent. In which case you are entitled to some childcare support unless you earn shit loads.

Stop putting more shit on to schools.

Cheepcheepcheep · 24/05/2024 20:45

Yes wraparound is great. And no one is saying kids should be learning 8 - 6. But if you make modern life unaffordable for anyone who doesn’t have 2 incomes then yes, it is necessary.

I earn £75k and I’d love to spend more time with my children, but I have to pay a mortgage (to keep a roof over their heads) and food (so they don’t die) and childcare (so I can earn the money for the housing and food).

it’s not fucking rocket science

SouthLondonMum22 · 24/05/2024 20:45

I think wraparound care should be available at all schools. I don't think it should be free and/or provided by teachers/school staff though.

Pollipops1 · 24/05/2024 20:45

I agree that employment needs to change, there’s a gulf between different jobs but increased hybrid working & flexi hours has helped.

Original poster
working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:45

Itsacruelsummer · 24/05/2024 20:44

But lots of schools have wraparound care and Dads can also do pick ups and drop offs surely?

Show quote history

They can but DO THEY?

OP posts:
Original poster
working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:44

NeverDropYourMooncup · 24/05/2024 20:43

Think I'll pass on a 7-7 normal working day, thanks.

Teacher? Then they can offer way more part time roles of half days. Do job share head teachers etc

OP posts:
Itsacruelsummer · 24/05/2024 20:44

working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:41

Yes the school isn't childcare but perhaps fbd government could say actually this is important so women who want to work can work. They could offer wrap around care for all who want it.

But lots of schools have wraparound care and Dads can also do pick ups and drop offs surely?

Original poster
working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:43

MultiplaLight · 24/05/2024 20:38

School isn't childcare!!

Nor is it their sole responsibility to educate your child.

Why have a kid if you're never there for it?

Thanks for that.

Because our child needs a roof over their head and our mortgage has shot up

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 24/05/2024 20:43

Think I'll pass on a 7-7 normal working day, thanks.

Octavia64 · 24/05/2024 20:43

That would be good for the parents but not for the kids.

Schools are at least intended to be about educating children. Children get tired and grumpy and don't cope well with long days and no downtime.

Original poster
working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:42

Onabench · 24/05/2024 20:40

School is not and never has been childcare....

This is absolutely not in schools.

Maybe look for employment with more flexibility and out of hours providers

Right where is this employment? It won't be in the fancy offices that pay loads will it

OP posts:
Pollipops1 · 24/05/2024 20:42

Often schools offer clubs, some organised by the school or again external providers. My dc do chess, cheerleading, coding, French etc. I’m not at work whilst they do this but that want to do it.

MrsMurphyIWish · 24/05/2024 20:42

My children are 13 and 10. Since reception they have had access to 7.30 - 5.45 school day (wraparound). I selected a primary school based on the needs of my family (I’m a teacher so need long days).

Original poster
working8til4 · 24/05/2024 20:41

Yes the school isn't childcare but perhaps fbd government could say actually this is important so women who want to work can work. They could offer wrap around care for all who want it.

OP posts:
Didimum · 24/05/2024 20:41

I think more like why can’t workplaces get with the times for a 9-3pm working day? Why is there an arbitrary productivity level that is arbitrarily matched to 9-5? It’s meaningless and everyone works that different efficiency levels anyway. Goals in long term productivity and results should be the aim, not daily hours.

Overthebow · 24/05/2024 20:41

I don’t want my dd in school from 8-6 5 days a week. The current wrap around options at our school work fine.

Onabench · 24/05/2024 20:40

School is not and never has been childcare....

This is absolutely not in schools.

Maybe look for employment with more flexibility and out of hours providers

Pollipops1 · 24/05/2024 20:40

Why have a kid if you're never there for it?

🙄

Pollipops1 · 24/05/2024 20:39

School isn't childcare!!

Nor is it their sole responsibility to educate your child.

wraparound clubs aren’t school though & using them doesn’t mean you absolve all responsibility.

Itsacruelsummer · 24/05/2024 20:39

Or working life could catch up with the needs of families- flexi time, compressed hours etc.

Or the economy could actually work for families to live on one full time or two part time incomes so parents could spend more time with their kids.

Why should children be shoved in childcare or school for 10 hours a day when it's not beneficial for them?

The vast majority of parents want to spend more time with their children and not less and the real problem is that they aren't supported by workplaces or the economy to do that. Wraparound care has its place but no child should be in school 60 hours a week.

Pliyo · 24/05/2024 20:39

God that would be fucking horrendous. Kids are at school too much as it is.

MultiplaLight · 24/05/2024 20:38

School isn't childcare!!

Nor is it their sole responsibility to educate your child.

Why have a kid if you're never there for it?

OriginalUsername2 · 24/05/2024 20:37

Seashor · 24/05/2024 20:36

Why can’t parents sort their shit out before they have children?

Because childcare is first come first served. Not pre-booked at conception.

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