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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have called DS's teacher about sunburn?

66 replies

PartySmartie · 30/06/2015 12:34

A few weeks ago DS's afternoon class consisted of them playing outside with water. DS came home sunburnt. I was quite annoyed, but DS burns easily so I didn't say anything.

This afternoon they will also be playing outside. I called his teacher to ask her to keep an eye on him and to ask that if he starts to burn to call him over into the shade for a bit. She said that would be difficult as there isn't much shade. She asked if he could keep his t-shirt on and I said I have sent him in covered in sun cream and also with one of those sun-protect swimming shirts. It seemed to me that she thought I was being a bit ott in asking her to make sure he doesn't burn and that it's not her responsibility. Personally I think it's ridiculous that they let children play outside between 1330-1530 with very little shade available on days when the temperature is set to reach 36 degrees. Should I not have called her? Am I being one of those parents?

OP posts:

Mrsfrumble · 30/06/2015 22:53

I know it's missing the point a bit, but can I recommend this sunscreen? It's brilliant stuff and really easy to apply, so even a 4 year old could do it.

Summers are really hot where we live (usually 35-40 degrees between June and October) so staying indoors from 11-3 every single day for 4 months is not really practical. The children at my DCs preschool have water play outside every day, but the staff do keep them in the shade and will apply sunscreen.

I think it's brilliant that your son's school are letting them play with water outside (much nicer than being stuck in a stuffy classroom) but I can't believe they couldn't have found a shady spot for it!

Original poster

PartySmartie · 30/06/2015 22:58

I am not talking about sun cream.
I have never expected her to put sun cream on him.
He has a sun hat (two in fact) at school always.
I do not expect them to be shut indoors all day.

It was 36 degrees here today, forecast is hotter for rest of the week. (Not UK, slightly further south)

I asked her to keep an eye on him as he burns easily and if he started to go red to call him to sit in the shade for a bit. Turns out there was minimal shade available. I expected they would rig something up to provide shade.

I applied 50+ sun cream in the morning and again at lunch time.

I would have absolutely no issue with them being outside in the morning, before lunch, I question the sense of letting them play out between 1330-1530 with little shade available.

I do not let my children out to play when it's so sunny between 1130-1530 unless there is sufficient shade and we are out on a trip. (Can't go out during this time at home as our balcony tiles are too hot to walk on) I may be overreacting because there is a history of skin cancer in my family. I may be overreacting because he is my pfb and it's hard to watch someone make decisions about his welfare when I wouldn't make the same choices.

OP posts:

NoahVale · 30/06/2015 23:00

i dont think you are over reacting at all and would consider that you should raise it with the head teacher.

NoahVale · 30/06/2015 23:03

just seen you are not uk.
i did find it surprising that the school were behaving in such a way - but if you are not in the UK it puts a different slant on it.

JassyRadlett · 30/06/2015 23:15

I may be overreacting because there is a history of skin cancer in my family

That's not overreacting. That's reacting in an informed way.

SophieJenkins · 01/07/2015 07:39

What Jassy said. That doesn't make it an overreaction, but a sensible reaction.

I am really glad they listened to you, well, I hope that's the case.

RiverTam · 01/07/2015 08:41

The other stupid thing is expecting 4 and 5yos to pass on essential messages. This has happened a number of times at DD's school. Stick a note in every child's book bag ffs!

Bakeoffcake · 01/07/2015 08:48

You aren't overreacting at all.

Go and speak to the head today and make sure the children aren't outside all afternoon, unless there is shade and they have hats and sunscreen.

There's another thread going on where a young child was made to do an hours PE yesterday in blazing heat, without hats, sunscreen and water bottles. Some teachers need to listen to NHS guidelines, I can't believe how ignorant they are!

Original poster

PartySmartie · 01/07/2015 14:03

Never met/seen the head. He's not at school today (PE lesson, he has dyspraxia, teacher "doesn't think it's a good idea to have him in the lesson" but at least I don't have that issue! We spent the morning at the pool instead) and has only two days left of term, last one is a half day. I am worried about tomorrow though. DH and I have agreed to pull him out early if we think it is too much for him (end of term concert practice all afternoon, followed by the concert at 6) and just come home.

I also think it's stupid river. If he forgets to pass on a message, the next time they put a dot on the back of his hand to remind him he has a message to pass on.... Which doesn't help him remember the message but at least I know to call the teacher and find out!

OP posts:

CassieBearRawr · 01/07/2015 14:33

PE lesson, he has dyspraxia, teacher "doesn't think it's a good idea to have him in the lesson"

Christ...

RiverTam · 01/07/2015 14:36

Wow, the school sound awful, keeping him off PE becSuse he has dyspraxia ??

Original poster

PartySmartie · 01/07/2015 14:59

Yup. She can't be sure that he wouldn't need extra help to do things and as she has 19 other children to teach it would be better if he has the day off. Because I can't guarantee that he would be able to do what he should without extra help. The teacher can decide if pupil does a full schedule or a reduced schedule in the first year so there's not a lot we can do about it and to be honest there's no point if it would single him out. He's had enough difficulty settling in anyway and he's only little. Next year he has to go full time and she has requested a teaching assistant on the day they do PE so there will be someone there to help him if need be.

I have a friend whose Dd is at school where there is only one class in the year. They have "foreign" twins who don't speak the language and It's too disruptive for the class. They solved the problem by having one child go one day and the other twin the next. Alternating days for the first year

OP posts:

bamboostalks · 01/07/2015 15:23

Do not believe that any school would allow children to walk around bare chested. Sorry but that is simply implausible.

Mrsfrumble · 01/07/2015 15:57

bamboo OP has said they are not in the UK.

What the heck are doing in PE at that age where a child with dyspraxia can't join in? Olympic level synchronized gymnastics?

Original poster

PartySmartie · 01/07/2015 16:14

She sets up three or four things to do. Balance along a bench, climb and jump down from a box/horse, swing across a mat, throw a ball into a box, skip that kind of thing. Then they split into groups and go to each station in rotation.

OP posts:

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 01/07/2015 16:28

Is tit Poland?

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