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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to question calls for schools to close during hot weather?

86 replies

Alwaysperplexedwithlife · 07/07/2026 17:25

I am so perplexed about parents wanting schools to close in this heat. My house is nearing 40 degrees and I have hybrid working so on wfh days I’m sweltering. I’m happier that my child is in the classroom where she has told me it’s ‘only’ 30 degrees! She is still learning, is happy and is also not thinking it is an excuse to not be in school which is a great trait to have. Has never entered her mind so why are parents pushing this to give their kids an excuse to not be in school and ultimately it not transverse into working life of not having an excuse to not go to work! This is the hidden agenda I see coming from this and nothing to do with the health of the child. Are the parents pushing this also work shy parents themselves? (Medical reasons exempt from this discussion)

OP posts:
InveterateWineDrinker · 07/07/2026 17:38

I think OP has kind of undermined her own argument by exempting medical conditions. The problem is, even perfectly healthy people can be susceptible to heatstroke at extreme temperatues (and make no mistake - this is extreme heat) never mind all those with undiagnosed conditions.

Presumably OP doesn't believe in climate change either.

mumsneedwine · 07/07/2026 17:37

Please do go in and offer to help for an hour. Then pop back and tell us how amazing it was. No one learning this week, they are sweating in humid, non ventilated rooms with 30+ people in them.
But do go listen to some readers. It will be sooo much fun.

ProudPearl · 07/07/2026 17:37

My classroom was 31 degrees a couple of weeks ago (when it was 38 degrees outside) and we closed in the afternoons as we genuinely didn't see how we could keep the children safe. We didn't have enough fans for every classroom.

I do agree some homes are hot though, but you at least only have your own children to worry about and keep cool.

Never had my house at 40 degrees though! Where do you live, the sun?

Owninterpreter · 07/07/2026 17:37

hay5689 · 07/07/2026 17:33

I don’t see how an employer can be responsible for the temperature in an employees home.

Show quote history

They are supposed to risk assess whether your home working conditions are safe. So they could risk assess that wasnt safe and to come into the office or supply equipment to make it safe.

noblegiraffe · 07/07/2026 17:35

She is still learning

No, she isn't. Kids can't learn when it is really hot and plenty of studies have shown this.

hahabahbag · 07/07/2026 17:34

The problem is that houses vary a lot as do home lives - keeping dc at home my be more pleasant and safer in one household but far more dangerous in another as the house is hotter and there’s nobody at home watching the 9 year old plus no nutritious food.

perhaps allowing parents to keep dc off in cases where they believe it’s in the best interest of the child especially medically speaking is best, I’ve got no aircon at home and no fans, my kids never missed school due to heat either

hay5689 · 07/07/2026 17:33

Darragon · 07/07/2026 17:30

If your house is close to 40 you need to go outside and cool down, not martyr yourself for a boss who doesn’t care while complaining about people who put their/their kids health first. That’s not a safe working temperature.

I don’t see how an employer can be responsible for the temperature in an employees home.

Darragon · 07/07/2026 17:30

If your house is close to 40 you need to go outside and cool down, not martyr yourself for a boss who doesn’t care while complaining about people who put their/their kids health first. That’s not a safe working temperature.

Probablylate21 · 07/07/2026 17:29

My kids don’t even have a fan in their classrooms. It’s boiling. I’m just keeping them home where we have aircon and a pool

InveterateWineDrinker · 07/07/2026 17:28

Er, because some of the conditions kids are expected to experience are dangerous to life?

hay5689 · 07/07/2026 17:28

This won’t end well for you OP. Apparently schools are hotter than mercury the past few weeks.