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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

keep kids off school 2 days to avoid noro?

92 replies

Arrowfanatic · 18/12/2016 17:07

School breaks up on Tuesday for 2 of my 3 kids (1 has already broken up). Noro is doing the rounds in the school and multiple children have come down sick this weekend, the parents FB page is lit up with cases.

I don't want my kids to catch it, but the idea of essentially pulling a sickie makes me feel naughty especially as my son is already on a sickness warning as he had 2 days off sick (vomiting ) in September, incidentally these were his first days off as his first year he had 100 % attendance.

I just really really don't want to spend Xmas clearing up vomit. We are a big family in a small house and if 1 catches it it'll spread through like wild fire and my husband really can't get sick as his work this time of year is vital and insanely busy.

WWYD? Lots of parents on the page say they won't be sending their kids in. Chances are they won't catch it, but if they do? Argh!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
ThomasRichard · 18/12/2016 17:10

I'd send them in. There's always something going around anyway.

Floralnomad · 18/12/2016 17:12

As long as your DC are of an age where they can be trusted to wash their hands and not put their hands in their mouth they will be fine , as will the rest of your household if one of them did get it . I would send them .

Isadora2007 · 18/12/2016 17:15

I wouldn't send them in.
I am quite a bit scared of sick bugs and similarly to you I have a large family so it's not just over in a few days.
They won't be learning anything the last two days of term...

blackbunny · 18/12/2016 17:16

Why do you think it's inevitable that your kids will catch it? It would be wrong to keep them off just in case.
Besides, what would you actually give as the reason for keeping them off school? They're not sick. It would be recorded as unauthorized absence wouldn't it?

Isadora2007 · 18/12/2016 17:19

She didn't say it was inevitable... in fact she recognises it isn't even likely.
But it is still distinctly possible and is now a risk/cost analysis exercise.

TruJay · 18/12/2016 17:20

I totally get where you're coming from, noro would ruin Christmas, I'd want to avoid it too. It's going round ds's school too, he and I have been very ill these past few days but we have more of a flu type thing.
Luckily he broke up on Friday so I hope we have managed to dodge the sickness bug as 3 kids from his class alone have started vomiting this weekend. Fingers crossed we don't develop that too!

I would do whatever you feel is best and I can't believe you are being badgered over two days off, how can you help being ill? And it's the 48 hours sickness rule that dictates absence anyway.

longdiling · 18/12/2016 17:20

I am normally on the side of sending them in and not worrying too much about these things but, honestly, how much work will they be doing?! None I would imagine. Plus some parents will totally ignore the 48 hour thing and send their kids in while contagious I expect. Primary school toilets are grim places where loos aren't flushed and kids don't often wash their hands. Skip it for the sake of your Christmas!

witsender · 18/12/2016 17:21

I wouldn't send them. There won't be much happening this close to Christmas anyway.

Isadora2007 · 18/12/2016 17:22

Are they happy to stay off?

I'd keep dd2 off but I know she would be gutted to miss her party and her church service this week.

Original poster
Arrowfanatic · 18/12/2016 17:24

They're young primary school children so hands in mouths is a given and hand washing at the school isn't as stringent as I would like. I will remind the kids that they need to wash their hands lots but my son always comes out of school with seriously muddy hands.

You know, I'm not ordinarily a parent who would consider this and I have no idea what reason I would give but I think the sheer volume of kids struck down with it has put the fear in to me. Part of me can't even believe I am considering this course of action, but another part of me just doesn't want to risk the sickness. It's a massive school and the % of kids and teachers already struck down is impressive.

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityyhat · 18/12/2016 17:24

I wouldn't hesitate to keep them off Smile.

I can't believe your son is on a "warning" because he had two days off in September! that's disgraceful.

Original poster
Arrowfanatic · 18/12/2016 17:25

They've already done all their parties and concerts etc, these next 2 days are probably just play days.

OP posts:
lalalalyra · 18/12/2016 17:26

I'm not sending my 8yo. His school has had noro doing the rounds got a few weeks and despite the school highlighting the 48 hour rule there are still comments like "& where am I supposed to magic childcare from" and "well I don't want them missing the wee class party when they've not been sick since last night so I'm sending mine" on the FB page.

My baby had an operation on Thursday, he wouldn't be going on Tuesday as he doesn't go to the church service anyway so I'm keeping him home Monday. It's not worth the risk.

Laiste · 18/12/2016 17:27

the parents FB page is lit up with cases. ..... Lots of parents on the page say they won't be sending their kids in.

So ... do you mean they're openly admitting they're keeping their non sick kids home on the FB? What if the school saw this?! Or perhaps i'm getting the wrong end of the stick.

As for actual question - i'm on the fence Grin

kew1234 · 18/12/2016 17:27

Keep them off, after the third weekend in a row of cleaning up vomit - it's just not worth the risk. It's astonishing the amount of people who send their kids in sick, or people who turn up to work sick, just to spread their germs. And then we get the flaming bug again! Lie claim they have the bug and enjoy a vomit free Christmas.

Original poster
Arrowfanatic · 18/12/2016 17:29

lalala that thought had occurred to me too as there are a few committee members and teachers on there.

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 18/12/2016 17:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Arrowfanatic · 18/12/2016 17:33

A sickness absence warning saying if he is off again we will be referred to the local authority school absence team because despite me following the rules apparently 2 days counts as 4 sessions and drops his attendance below 86% which is the LA decided cut off.

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 18/12/2016 17:34

I would keep them off but there is chances they are incubating it anyway but if it makes you less stressy say they are not feeling great

MissClarke86 · 18/12/2016 17:34

I might a teacher. To be perfectly honest, they will likely be doing nice Christmassy things and your kids really won't miss anything vital.

It will be on their attendance record though so it's depends if that bothers you.

Original poster
Arrowfanatic · 18/12/2016 17:34

Honestly I feel like a deviant rebel for even considering this!!!;Xmas Blush

OP posts:
Hedgehog80 · 18/12/2016 17:36

I kept dcs off for a week last time Norovirus was going round, so many had it in dds class I couldn't risk it

AllTheBabies · 18/12/2016 17:37

Wouldn't they be gutted to be kept off? My 6yo would be very upset to miss the most fun days of school there is!

It's going round my dd's school too, it wouldn't occur to me to keep her off.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/12/2016 17:40

Seems a bit weird to be keeping perfectly well children off school "just in case".

blackbunny · 18/12/2016 17:40

Seeing as it's such a high percentage of pupils affected, maybe have a word with HT to sanction closing down school early before Christmas (if it's in their power)
I just believe it's wrong to keep them off "just in case". What happens when they're adults in the workplace in a similar situation ? What would an employer's reaction be?