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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To tell the school I will not be bringing DS in tomorrow

76 replies

notalone · 06/12/2010 10:18

We are in Yorkshire where the weather has been horrendous. DS's school was closed for most of last week due to the snow and opened for the first time today because "the roads are now clear". However for those without access to a car the school run is absolutely treacherous (spelling?) and all the people I saw on the way said the same thing - they would much rather have braved the knee high snow than the ice rink that is out there today. I have lost count of the amount of times DS fell over and despite wearing a pair similar to these, I still nearly went over numerous times www.amazon.co.uk/Petzl-Spiky-Plus-Anti-slip-Over-Shoe/dp/B000YBAWD0/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1291630029&sr=8-12

The temperature readers on cars were reading -13, the pavements are solid compact ice and crossing side roads is like risking life and limb. It usually takes 15 mins each way but in total took me an hour and 20 minutes today. When we finally got to school I spoke to the secretary and advised her I was not prepared to risk it again tomorrow if it is still the same, and then when I got home there was a message from the parent support worker who is going to call me back later. I am worried about what they may say but if they don't allow the children out to play in it at lunch time because of health and safety then how can they expect them to walk to school in it?
Please be gentle with me and don't flame me on this

OP posts:

FantasticDay · 06/12/2010 10:22

I think you are being reasonable. Hope the parent support worker is ringing with the offer of a lift from another parent.

spikeycow · 06/12/2010 10:22

Tell them to stick their parent support up their arse. They can close for the week but when a parent makes a sane choice they need support. Don't let them patronise you

mamas12 · 06/12/2010 10:25

I would thank the parent support worker for her offer of getting your ds into shcool tomorrow as you are unable to do it safely yourself.
If she scoffs at that then invite her over to your house on foot to see how it is.

ChippingIn · 06/12/2010 10:27

I think you are being reasonable, however, it looks like we could have a couple of months of this weather and you can't keep him off the whole time, so I guess you are going to have to come up with some way of getting him to school

Have you considered a horse

Lovemybrood · 06/12/2010 10:29

I agree with you 100%, in fact, you could you talking about our school run.

I've been in Casualty this morning with DD1 after she slipped twice this morning, luckily she is ok. Whilst we were waiting to be seen there were at least 5 other children booked in with similar injuries.

Goingspare · 06/12/2010 10:32

Last year, our rural school was a bit dithery over whether to open or close, but eventually took the line of 'we're open, but you may make your own decision on whether it's safe for you to get here'.

I agree with others - ask the parent support worker to arrange safe transport for tomorrow.

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 10:32

Perhaps I have only started this thread so you can all have a whip round for my horse .

It has snowed a lot here, especially last year, but I have never seen ice like it and with the temperatures so low it is only going to get worse, at least unti Fri when we are due some warmer weather (well 6 degrees anyway lol) I have a friend who lives close to me with a daughter at the same school so I am able to get a lift with her today, but her husband does the school run in the morning and he doesn't really "do lifts" so I don't feel I can ask him

OP posts:

pinkyp · 06/12/2010 10:33

I'm in yorkshire too and its just pure ice round here, luckly the main roads are clear so i can drive my ds to nursery - i think your right telling the school your concerns but like someone else has already pointed out it could be like this until well after xmas so maybe start looking at alternative ways to get to school (e.g lift from other parents etc)

Goingspare · 06/12/2010 10:36

I think you'd be better off with huskies, to be honest, notalone.

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 10:39

Yes, Goingspare but I can't afford the sleigh to go with the huskies. I don't suppose any kind mumsnetter has a spare sleigh I could borrow and maybe a husky or two? Or failing that a helicopter. I'm not bothered either way

OP posts:

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 10:40

pinkyp - please don't tell me this is staying until after xmas?

OP posts:

pinkyp · 06/12/2010 10:49

I dont know..i've 'heard' it'll be around for a while! I hate it as much as you (my ds goes to nursery 15min drive away or 25 in the snow) and i'm 11 days overdue with my 2nd ds! lol

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 10:50

11 days??? Wow - good luck! For you then I guess the clear roads are definitely better. You must have been a bit worried last week then?!

OP posts:

pinkyp · 06/12/2010 10:53

I was crappin myself a bit worried, had visions of being air lifted to hospital esp as my hospital is up a big hill so dh would of slid straight back down in the car, i'm just praying it doesnt snow again or if it does its a 'normal' amount of snow.

faverolles · 06/12/2010 10:56

Notalone - I'm sure huskies could be trained to pull a normal sledge, with a bit of imagination and rope.
Actually, I bet my labrador would do it, with a few carpets to lick as reward (she has a carpet licking fetish, bless her)
Give me the word, and I'll post her to you.

JenaiMarrsTartanFoxCube · 06/12/2010 10:58

You need hover boots. It's the only way.

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 11:01

I think this is as bad as it gets Pinkyp - we are not due anymore snow as far as I know so I think providing the roads are clear where you are then you should be ok. Best of luck

Faverolles - you have just made me shudder. Carpet licking is worse for me than nails on a blackboard, cotton wool etc. If you could ask her nicely not to lick my carpets though then I would love to borrow her. I'll pay for post and packing ok?!

OP posts:

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 11:02

Oooh - hover boots! A bit like in Back to the Future?! Would love some of them!

OP posts:

faverolles · 06/12/2010 11:04

I've asked her, but no carpets to lick is a deal breaker, sorry.

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 11:12

Damn - how very selfish of her faverolles. I already have a dog so 2 cats might possibly even up the other side of the sleigh

OP posts:

AllOverIt · 06/12/2010 11:12

May I suggest one of these for clearing ice...

Original poster

notalone · 06/12/2010 11:22

Alloverit - I already have one of those but mine is broken

OP posts:

bubblerock · 06/12/2010 11:39

We got to school this morning a few minutes late because of the ice and taking it very slowly walking - the bloody welfare officer was stood at the door taking everyones name that was late.

ppeatfruit · 06/12/2010 11:48

notalone could you not ask the school if there's anything they could set yr. DC to do over the internet they MUST understand yr situation.

Vallhala · 06/12/2010 11:48

YANBU - I agree with Spiky, unless you are politely offered sensible, accessible practical assistance, tell them to shove it up their arse!

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