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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To send dd to Breakfast Club every morning?

38 replies

NapQueen · 27/09/2016 11:06

Because of my shifts if I work an Early my childminder has to drop dd at Breakfast Club as she does two separate school runs and obviously can't be at both at the same time.

In order to keep things simple and straight forward for dd I've been taking her every day. It's 8am and they seem to get a decent breakfast. It has no cost (however I would pay if they charged).

I figured once she got into Y1 I could reassess but as she is just starting Reception I thought it'd be more routine for her to go every day rather than one day one week, three days the next week etc.

Aibu? It does make for longer days for her but she's not napped since she was 2.5 and is used to long days at the CMS when I'm on an early (at CMS 7.30-5).

I do worry that I'll be judged by the staff at the school though!

OP posts:

ssd · 27/09/2016 11:07

dont worry at all about being judged, if you are happy and your daughter is happy then its really no one elses business

Artandco · 27/09/2016 11:09

I think it's fine. It will be become routine and normal.

You could Maybe have a sit down simple first breakfast at home with her so you have 10 mins relaxed time to chat before school? Just some warm milk and a chopped banana or similar at 7.30am? That way you are reassured she has also eaten and drank at least something if you have no idea if she eats much at club

CookieLady · 27/09/2016 11:09

Don't give it a thought about being judged. Do what's best for you and your dc.

Snowflakes1122 · 27/09/2016 11:10

Dd2 has just started reception and goes to breakfast club. Yes it's a slightly longer day and she is tired, but she likes it. Yanbu to send her.

WigelsPigels · 27/09/2016 11:11

When not on maternity the same eldest goes to briefcase after school club. He's there before school and to about 530. When going back to work he'll be like this again and also the youngest would be in nursery from just before 8 to pickup after the eldest. It's life and reality for some of us. Neither me or my husband work in our village. I work in the nearest city and works in the one further along.

WigelsPigels · 27/09/2016 11:12

Not briefcase. Breakfast club.

WatchingFromTheWings · 27/09/2016 11:16

Lots of parents use breakfast club to be able to go to work. I bet most of the kids there have parents in the same boat! I take my youngest (5yo) 3-4 times a week and I only work evenings. He loves going and eats more there than he would at home.

Sukitakeitoff · 27/09/2016 11:16

Yanbu if that works best for you.

Personally though I would just send her to breakfast club on the days you need to. Otherwise you're missing out on the chance to have breakfast together, see her friends and other parents in the playground before school etc.

Have you asked your dd what she would prefer?

Original poster

NapQueen · 27/09/2016 11:35

Yes I could take her in at 9am on the days I work lates etc, I just wondered if that would then lead to "I don't want to go to Bfast club today etc" debates whereas now it's standard.

We always have time in the morning to sit and chat - we get up and dressed at 7am and sit with a drink and a banana/ cuppa for me; and the school is a 5min walk so that's 55mins together every morning.

OP posts:

Chucklecheeks · 27/09/2016 11:41

Both of mine are in breakfast club. The days I can drop off we use as a special treat, we call them sneak days where we get a special breakfast and get to spend some extra time together. It hasn't caused a problem on the days they go to club.

I feel judged, single mum, working but the longer it goes on the easier it gets and I'm sure they would judge me more if I didn't feed or clothe my kids.

The kids love it, it's a sports club so they get to run around like loons before school and it's had a positive effect on my youngest behaviour at school as it has calmed him down loads.

You do what's best for you and daughter. Only you really know that, everyone else is simply assuming.

gratesnakes · 27/09/2016 11:50

Staff will not judge! That's what the breakfast club is for. She will eat a healthy breakfast and get the chance to run around the playground every single morning. What could be better?

itsgoodtobehome · 27/09/2016 11:56

I was feeling guilty about sending ds aged 4 ( just started reception) to breakfast club 3 days a week. Turns out that on the 2 days he doesn't have to go, he cries because he wants to go!! You can't win sometimes. I'd rather this than the other way round though!!

bigkidsdidit · 27/09/2016 11:59

Keeping everything the same does make life easier.

My year one DS LOVES breakfast club. They have coco pops and for some reason eating breakfast with your pals is very exciting.

birdsdestiny · 27/09/2016 12:06

Whatever your decision, do it for you and not for what other people might think. Honestly the staff won't judge . They will not give it a second thought. Firstly they will be too busy and secondly school staff have to deal with, and be aware of some awful situations, sending your child to breakfast club is not one of them

MargotLovedTom · 27/09/2016 12:08

I would give my right arm for free breakfast club! I've been looking at job vacancies, but realising that it would cost near enough £75 per week for breakfast club for our 3dc, and the same for after school club, dampens my enthusiasm a bit.

That's probably the one criticism I'd have - on the days when you're on lates are you using up a place that someone else could really do with? Are you able to dip in and out, or do you have to inform them of the days you require in advance so they can have the correct ratios?

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 27/09/2016 12:13

LOL at "goes to briefcase"

Why would the staff judge you thatms what the club is for.

I would use ours but vowed to never do it unless depserate: they give them sweet pancakes with jam amd honey, cereal and toast for breakfast. My DD thought it was grand

drspouse · 27/09/2016 12:18

I also only need ours sometimes but I've booked the same day each week, not needing it every week, for my DS who is in Reception. It's for exactly the same reasons - wanting it to become routine.

ParadiseCity · 27/09/2016 12:18

I think you are doing the right thing keeping it consistent. If you really wanted to you could ask the school if they would like a donation of anything - money or food - or make sure you send the breakfast club staff a nice Christmas pressie.

mouldycheesefan · 27/09/2016 12:32

It's very unusual to find a breakfast club with no cost, is it funded by a charity or something? Wondered if that was why you were unsure of her going every day.
Other than that, it's fine, lots of dcs go to breakfast some go to after school club as well.

TwatbadgingCuntfuckery · 27/09/2016 12:34

I work from home OP and send my DC to breakfast club everyday.

Truth - I don't have to faff about dealing with breakfast mess before I can crack on with work and I get an early start.

I don't have to send DC its just become a habit and It means I can also have a quiet coffee before dealing with client emails.

It also means we can spend more time together afterschool. DC is knackered by 7pm and usually crashes a little before that.

Paulat2112 · 27/09/2016 12:43

Send her, she will like it and make friends from all over the school. It's good to be in a routine and no one is going to judge you. My kids (p1 and p4) go to the breakfast club at their school as i have to take DS2 to nursery in a different school and they start at the same time. Ours is also free, you just pay for the food they eat, costs me less than £1 day for them both.

SendARavenToRiverRun · 27/09/2016 12:57

I'm the same as you OP. I use breakfast and after school club too. So my youngest is at school from 8-4 most days. I work, DH works, so needs must. I feel like the staff judge me ( they don't!) They won't be judging you either, that's what it's there for.
Our breakfast club is free and all kids get a free drink and piece of toast. It's excellent. Your DD sounds like she likes it. It's exciting to eat breakfast with your buddies at that age!.
Carry on as you're doing, as for days off I don't think DD would get confused. As long as she's not too tired it's fine.

manyathingyouknow · 27/09/2016 13:03

YANBU we all do what we can to get by and make life work for us. Never feel guilty about going out and earning a crust. Your daughter isn't suffering because you put her into a breakfast club. Keep doing what you're doing

Capricorn76 · 27/09/2016 13:05

The staff won't judge you because if they're staffing the breakfast club they're not with their kids (if they have them) either.

lalaloopyhead · 27/09/2016 13:06

Assuming she enjoys it, go with everyday if it makes life easier.

My dd used to go 3 days but now 4 because she said she prefers to go to Breakfast club than standing around in the playground!

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