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AIBU?

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Original poster

To keep DD off school or not?

64 replies

AjasLipstick · 07/02/2018 21:01

For background, we live in Australia where it's going to hit 40 degrees today (100f)

And I can't drive...we walk to school which is about a mile away. DD is 9.

I am learning to drive but in the meantime, on hot days if DH can get home early, he does so that he can pick DD up...our older DD is away.

Sometimes one of DD's classmates' parents will see us and pick us up or offer us a lift but there's no knowing because all of the women I know at school work part time and have varying shifts.

We walked home once last year on a 44 degree day and I actually thought I was going to die....I was quite ill and it felt terrible to walk in that heat.

OP posts:
floriad · 07/02/2018 22:08

Although, 40 degrees should probably still be ok.

But if you really feel this horrible? It might be dangerous.

But I really do believe that you have to come up with a solution. Quickly.

whatareyoueatingNOW · 07/02/2018 22:10

I'd keep her off. In June here it hit 32 ( if you were on mn then you KNEW about it- because all we did was whine and moan and talk about how hot it was!) I cried. I couldn't sleep, hadn't eaten properly and could barely breathe- I am unable to contemplate 40degrees.

It's all well and good to say "that's life" but when it's short term (ops learning to drive) unusual (even pps have said it's a few days a year max plus op said usually the do could do it) and its detrimental to your health? Just do what's best for you and keep her home.

justilou1 · 07/02/2018 22:10

I'm an Aussie and I say skip it. It's not safe walking that far in the heat.

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 07/02/2018 22:13

Boom a water bottle doesn't keep the burning sun off me....Grin obviously I drink....but the heat is shocking. It's like youre breathing in fire. It's two miles for me anyway...mile there and mile back.

OP posts:
Original poster
AjasLipstick · 07/02/2018 22:13

I'm phoning school now....will ask their thoughts on it and then try to see if I can get a lift home.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 07/02/2018 22:14

Why do you need to walk with your dd if she is nine? Can't she walk alone?

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 07/02/2018 22:16

Big no...they all live in the other direction. There's a boy moving near us soon though and his Mum and I are going to let them walk together when they hit ten we think. It's a funny area and there are three schools all within a mile of one another so the traffic is busy and them crossing the roads is a worry.

No zebra crossings for some weird reason! We have little "islands" which they're meant to use to cross.

OP posts:
Original poster
AjasLipstick · 07/02/2018 22:18

Marvel cross post...the roads are very busy here due to three schools in the area...and there are no zebras. She's just too dreamy...when she's ten and her little friend lives nearby after their move I will let her...he's a very sensible kid and I will feel a bit more relaxed about it.

OP posts:
Blondephantom · 07/02/2018 22:20

Is there anywhere close to school you can wait for DH? So you only have to do one leg of the journey then wait to be picked up.

If not, I’d be inclined to keep her off this once but then put plans in place so it is just once. Learning to drive takes time and your DH may not always be available so you do need a back up plan.

Bigpizzalover · 07/02/2018 22:22

Does she have any friends at the other schools whose parents wouldn’t mind swinging by and picking her up if they are all relatively close?

Not ideal but you could offer petrol money, return the favour once on the road etc

llangennith · 07/02/2018 22:24

Keep her home till it’s cooler. And in the meantime get you arse in gear and fix the bikes. Then pass your driving test.

HerRoyalNotness · 07/02/2018 22:24

Get some of those neck cooler bandana things to use for the walk. For today you could wet some hand towels before you set off and use those. We're in Texas and have frequent 40+ days, ugh, we just have to get on with it.

Original poster
AjasLipstick · 07/02/2018 22:32

Rang school and they said there are already a number of parents keeping their children off for similar reasons and it's fine to have a day off.

OP posts:
RideaCockHorseOfCourse · 07/02/2018 22:50

I'm with you, OP, and could definitely not do a mile's walk, in 40° heat and for me, an umbrella, wet towel, or copious amounts of water wouldn't make it bearable. For those who can do it - good for them, but when it affects you to the point that it makes you feel sick or faint, even with all of those precautions, then don't do it. It's as simple as that, as it's affecting your health. It's also the anxiety of knowing you're going to have to endure suffocating heat and can't get away from it. I'm sure I'll get flamed for not being hardy/ being wimpish, but I cannot stand too much sun, and it sounds like you can't either, so let DD stay off school. One day, two, three? It's not going to harm her education at all.

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