One child ill. One not ill . Both off school

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I'm just wondering something. I have a 6 and 7 year old. If one is ill. And needs to stay home from school then I'm not able to get the other child to school. So they both end up off school. It takes 40 or so mins to get to the school. By public transport. I don't really talk to the other parents just the small talk for a min or 2. Plus they live close to the school. So Im well out of the way for a parent to help out. I don't have any friends or family that can help.

It seems to come under compassionate absence. With a note saying sibling ill . Ect.

I'm just wondering if other people have to do similar if you have (no one) to help.

I regularly have this issue because my year 5 child has long-term health problems and I also have a year 2 child who is usually fine. Also a single parent and we live half an hour walk from the school and have no car. My eldest (the ill one) is almost ten so recently I have been able to leave him on his own a little bit. I usually still do this with him on video call to my parents abroad! They have a phone, I have a phone and we have plans in place as to what to do if things go wrong. So this is more for your future when your eldest is a bit older although I realise we are also closer to the school.

Things I sometimes do are:

• occasionally keep the year 2 child off school too, I figure he's still only 7 and won't miss THAT much. I have told the school and they haven't pulled me up on it.
• ask someone else in the school if they can take the year 2 child in (I feel bad asking though so only do this occasionally)
• take a cab to the school and back (but we closer than you and my eldest is older than your eldest
• walk to school and back and leave the eldest on video call to my parents

It's certainly not easy being a single parent and managing such things! During the last lockdown (winter 2021) I didn't yet leave my kids on their own for short periods (I am doing so now) and had no way to, for example, go out and get a pint of milk without getting them dressed and taking them out into the cold. It's a real juggling act but is getting easier as they get a bit older and more responsible.

I think the only time my children were of school. when I was ill, was when I had covid. Gosh that wash awful. I 100% won't change their school though. My 7 year old would not cope with the change.

Lots of people's say this but in my experience schools are helpful.

**PEOPLE

@SleepingStandingUp

I imagine the issue tho is a 1 1/2 - 2 hour journey with a kid who's pukey, poopey or contagious of something we try to not spread about.

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The OP didn't say why the child was off school. Thats why I asked whether the child could manage the journey obviously depending on what was the matter.
I wouldn't say take a child with a contagious illness on the bus.