DS(12) not allowed to walk home because of the lightening

[FrancineSmith]

DS has just finished a sports fixture at school and phoned me to say I need to pick him up as the PE department won't let him walk home now because of the lightening. He walks to and from school every day (it's less than a mile away). We have a storm literally just beginning - thunder, a few flashes and rain has started as I type this. I was going to suggest I picked him up anyway, but AIBU to think it's a bit nuts not to let him go because of the weather? And what if I didn't have a car? Are they overreacting, or am I a cruel and heartless mother?

Xpost ILost

You explained it better Aristotle

Ah, yes, I did fail to remember that the person I know who got killed was on a mountain at the time. So yes, probably safe enough for him to walk.

Are you sure he's not pulling a fast one?

I'm prepared to bet they weren't saying he couldn't walk home at all, simply that he should wait till the storm was over. So whether you do or don't have a car is pretty irrelevant.

Tbh id either go and pick him up or tell him to wait in the school until after the lighting but one of my friends was killed by lighting whilst at school playing on the school field so that and being in france once and everyone being ordered out of the outdoor swimming pool during a storm by life guards has made me super worried re lighting.

I think it's sweet that they are looking after him so well. Most schools wouldn't bother phoning you.

But it's unlikely he's actually get struck by lightening...just soaking wet!

I agree Augusta, they're probably far more likely to have suggested it.

Anyway, he's got far more chance of being in a car crash, than getting hit by lightening.

You can let him walk home, unless he does anything stupid, the worse that can happen to him is getting soaked, though especially as it's after a tough sports match, I'm sure he'd appreciate you picking him up

How many more people on this thread can't spell "lightNing?"

There are two children and an adult in a critical condition after being struck by lightning in Lisburn today, maybe that's why??

Why clam?

I hope that's not why jerry because there are bound to be many more children around the world, who were involved in a car accident today.

Zaurak that's amazing you were struck, can you tell us what happened, where you were etc?

So was the sports fixture cancelled or brought indoors or were they outside on the field during the Lightning.

I want to know what a Faraday cage is

Totally nuts. But that's the world we live in now I'm afraid; one of endless risk assessments and fear of blame or litigation.

Oh my God! Teachers being concerned about kids what is the world coming to? Fancy staying to ring around parents when they could have let them go home and take off home themselves.

But it wasn't the teachers calling home to say this. It was the ops son.

Who cares clam?

if you don't know about Faraday cages look it up, everyone should.

I hope they got everyone off the sports field if there was a thunderstorm, because to stand about in open spaces when there is lightning is dangerous. So of course is sheltering under trees; that was the cause of the recent serious injuries to children in France.

Are you sure he isn't having you on? What if you were at work til 6? Would they keep him there if the storm was still going?

I think he is being mischievous. Either that or the school said students should ask IF their parents could come and collect them.

At least he is OK. From the stories other posters have related it does sound dangerous.