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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to send children to school when there’s a storm

184 replies

Bestofbothworlds19 · 23/10/2025 07:52

It’s rotten today where we live. Throwing it down with rain all night and this morning, set to continue all day. Winds are strong too, I can see one of the trees along our road has lost one of its branches (not a small one either) which has snapped into the pavement and is partly in the road. I then worry about anything like that happening close to us when walking to school. Fairly certain my youngest won’t even be able to hold her own in this wind anyway lol. I’m not talking about a typical windy rainy autumn day here, it’s far worse than that where we are. Would you keep your children off or not? (Mine are primary school age but question applies for any age really)

OP posts:
RedRec · 23/10/2025 08:13

I always worried about storms and falling trees too, OP, but still let them go. Had to tap into the rational bit of my brain that told me that incidents like this are very, very rare. But it was hard.

Lanzarotelady · 23/10/2025 08:13

I can't imagine ever looking out of the window and not being able to make a decision and thinking I will just ask on mumnset if I should take my children to school

Allthecoloursoftherainbow4 · 23/10/2025 08:12

Theres an orange weather warning where i am today due to the storm.... Its absolutely fine, the kids have just set off for school and had to be reminded to put a coat on!

Lanzarotelady · 23/10/2025 08:11

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Shoxfordian · 23/10/2025 08:11

Its a bit windy and rainy op, not an apocalypse
Yabu

Iwanttoliveinagardencentre · 23/10/2025 08:10

Christ on a bike.

At the risk of coming over all Monty Python, we used to walk 3 miles to school through heavy snow on our own from age 8/9.

Children need to develop some resilience. Keeping them home from school teaches them the very opposite.

MinnieMountain · 23/10/2025 08:09

I grew up in Pembrokeshire, which is known for windy and wet weather. We were never off school because of the weather.

xla · 23/10/2025 08:05

KimHwn · 23/10/2025 08:04

Though you might be predicted the worst weather, that isn't necessarily the reality- the met office can't always get it exactly right. Some of the worst weather we get isn't predicted.

It’s a bit of wind and rain. Certainly not life threatening.

KimHwn · 23/10/2025 08:04

xla · 23/10/2025 08:01

I’m in the area where it’s the worst, with weather warnings. it’s fine. OP is just being dramatic.

Though you might be predicted the worst weather, that isn't necessarily the reality- the met office can't always get it exactly right. Some of the worst weather we get isn't predicted.

Theunamedcat · 23/10/2025 08:03

What weather warning are you under?

OneFootAfterTheOther · 23/10/2025 08:03

If the school is open I’d send them, if it was dangerous they’d shut the school.

(I’d also offer a prayer to the teachers that have to deal with children on a windy day)

JetFlight · 23/10/2025 08:01

It’s horrible out there and we all want to stay in!
But it’s not life threatening and it’s a resilience building exercise plus I have to go to work too.
Unless there is danger, it’s good to send them in. It’s about knowing you have to show up in life even when the weather is rubbish or you feel like you don’t want to.

Comeonbabylightmyfire · 23/10/2025 08:01

Are you in the UK?

If so I think that you would be setting a really bad example to your children.

If you are in Kansas in the middle of a hurricane and your name is Dorothy then Yanbu.

xla · 23/10/2025 08:01

KimHwn · 23/10/2025 07:59

The "but it's okay here" posts are so weird. Weather is different in different places?!
If anything seemed really dangerous- including the weather- I'd stay at home.

I’m in the area where it’s the worst, with weather warnings. it’s fine. OP is just being dramatic.

purpleme12 · 23/10/2025 08:01

No I wouldn't keep them off

stichguru · 23/10/2025 08:00

Here that would mean missing a few days a week in winter. You go in unless you are being advised not to travel.

Borethefuckoff · 23/10/2025 08:00

Are you usually a worrier?
Not sure where you are but it’s fine in the South East… just a bit of wind and rain!

HelpMeGetThrough · 23/10/2025 08:00

It’s windy and raining, hardly 1987 levels. Get them in school.

verycloakanddaggers · 23/10/2025 08:00

Follow the weather advice. If there is a warning about risk to life or travel is not advised, stay home.

If it is just a regular storm, you can go about your normal business.

KimHwn · 23/10/2025 07:59

The "but it's okay here" posts are so weird. Weather is different in different places?!
If anything seemed really dangerous- including the weather- I'd stay at home.

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 23/10/2025 07:59

No, I would not. We get storms regularly and the weather can often be extreme where we live. If the school is open then DS is going in!

JudgeBread · 23/10/2025 07:58

If you wouldn't get away with calling out of work for it I'd take them in. The reality is it's often windy and rainy in this country, we're a small island.

Cynic17 · 23/10/2025 07:58

It's normal autumn weather, FFS! They'll be absolutely fine but, if you're worried, walk with them.
Are people just lazier than they used to be, or are these ridiculous and over the top storm warnings creating a bunch of folk who are frightened of their own shadows?

Zanatdy · 23/10/2025 07:58

They’d be off a lot if they stayed off every storm

MiddleAgedDread · 23/10/2025 07:57

What level of weather warning are you in? Our schools closed when we had a red one but anything else is just called winter!