Is this an acceptable reason for absence?

[Crankycarp]

WWYHD? Boys didn't go to school today and I'm feeling really guilty. They are nursery and year 1... All ready to go this morning until I got out to car and realised DH took car key with him to work (it's a temp hire car while ours is in garage and no spare key). We live 45 mins walk.away from school and it's all uphill on the way. Buggy was also locked in car. I dont have an Oyster card and the bus doesn't take coins. Both boys have SN and the idea of struggling to buy an Oyster in the newsagent then being sardines on a rush hour bus (without a buggy) filled me with terror. I also considered taxis but the expense ( 4 trips required as DS2 only on half day) and the safety ( my car seats locked in car) was also off putting. I've got to phone school and

....report absence but not sure if they are going to be understanding :(

In that instance id see if someone could drop the eldest off at school and just keep the nursery aged child off. Id try and then arrange someone to collect eldest or ask dh to get away early and collect them.

Why are you only phoning now? Surely you should call at the start of the school day?

I left message this morning but didn't explain absence so need to phone or self report to fully explain now :( :(

I'm fairly new in this area and feel bad asking neighbours for help esp as Ds2 can be tricky. This Is my issue though... I find asking for help really hard generally.

Obvs will need to formulate back up plan for future of anything should happen carwise again .

Hi, if ds2 is tricky could ds1 have gone with someone else, as ds2 is in nursery so not compulsory to attend anyway? Or could dh have come back with the car keys or could someone have picked them up for you?
Is there a facebook group for your dcs class so in event of this type of thing you can post 'help needed to get dcs to school, can anyone bail me out?' Type message?

Don't beatbyourself up about this, tomorrow is another day!

You don't need to buy an Oyster anymore, you can use any contactless debit card. It works in the same way as an Oyster, the maximum daily amount is capped.

I'd just say they were ill don't beat yourself up about it!!

Obviously try be a little more organised in future ( I'm laughing as I say this as I'm the most disorganised person ever and have frequent lost car key disasters !)

Thank you ... I've been sweating over this all day :( good ideas here but DH works other side of London and his job is not the kind where he can leave early. Other parents tend to live a lot closer to school than us (ours was an in year entry last year and all closer schools were full).-Sorry I seem to be making loads of excuses!!!
This has opened my eyes though that I need at least one local mum Friend I can reach out to in cases of need and emergency.

Good god woman - give yourself a break! They're little , it was a stressful one off - it really matters not

You don't need to endlessly explain yourself to the school either. Just tell them that you were unexpectedly without transport

:) :) thanks