To be annoyed at the school letting the children play in the snow all afternoon?

[eleanorelephant]

Most schools in our local area closed today due to snow but DD's primary school stayed open. (Fine by me)

DD (year 2) informs me that they had no lessons at all this afternoon and spent most of the time out on the field (so over 2 hours)

Apparently lots of children were being taken out as the day progressed, so I guess it got to a point where the teachers didn't see the point in carrying on with normal lessons.

AIBU to think that in sub zero temperatures this is too long for little children? I know that they're obviously going to play in it at break and lunch but I'd like to think that on the whole they are in a warm classroom when they're at school.

Thank you for the post. It made me laugh. Do you really think snow is harbouring a virus ? A bit of outdoor fun probably did them a world of good. What will you think of to moan at next ? Please let me know as I find it genuinely amusing. I know I sound a bit nasty but there is so much bad news when snow comes that the thought of children in the snow should surely please everyone?

Hey, what would you be doing if they had a day at home? You'd all be out playing in the snow surely?
We rarely get snow here so I'd make sure my dc played for as long as they wanted, we won't have any again for a good few years

The Great Snow Virus of '18. You heard about it here first

DS1s (9) school was closed today so we spent most of the middle of the day (about 2 hours) out in our field building snow men, making snow angels, having a snowball fight and exploring. DS2 (22months) only got grumpy when I made them go in because I wanted coffee. The snow was past his knees and he kept getting stuck which was very cute but they both loved it and I suspect they'll be fine to do it all again tomorrow (if there is another snow day)

Doesn't getting cold lower your immune system and make you more susceptible to catching things / not being able to fight them off?

No it doesn't.

I am livid our school did the opposite. refused to let them outside at all ALL day. So no outside break. More than six hours sat inside staring at the snow. Ridiculous. I have told them if they are doing that tomorrow my child wont be in.

Doesn't getting cold lower your immune system and make you more susceptible to catching things / not being able to fight them off? That's what I always understood

Viruses attach marginally better to cooler nasal mucosa. That effect is VASTLY outweighed by the fact that they’re outdoors and so much less likely to pass viruses on. Unless they’re huddled together in freezing classrooms then the positive benefit of being outside wins.

Send them in in warm snow gear with a dry change and let them run wild. Ours have snow on the ground and/or freezing temps for half the year. As long as they’re well dressed they’re fine

My main concern this week has been preventing ds from licking the railings and freezing his tongue to them 🤦🏻‍♀️

It is your job as a parent to make sure she goes into school with appropriate clothing for outdoor activities. The cold weather was hardly a secret: you must have known about it this morning.

God, I'd be delighted! Two hours playing in the snow, happy tired children, and some other poor bastard had to freeze to death supervising it? Score!

Thank you for the post. It made me laugh.

I'm glad I've given you all a good laugh. I have to say, it feels hilarious being me and worrying that my child is going to get ill.

Stupid me who clearly knows nothing with my stupid health anxiety

Carry on laughing everybody.

I think the scientific jury is out on how much cold weather affects the immune system but I very much doubt that an otherwise healthy person is going to come to any harm playing outside for a couple of hours.

jarhead123 Wed 28-Feb-18 19:53:56
I'm with you. They won't have been in suitable clothing or footwear - bet they were frozen!

They should have! That's down to parents. Children going to school on a day when snow is forecast should be coming to school in appropriate clothing and with appropriate footwear. Such break is up to an hour in many schools still - so parents need to realise children may be outside for this time.

By 6/7 years old (Y2) they are all old enough to put on their hats, coats and gloves, and their wellies or snow boots. Staff can remind them, but they aren't going to know exactly what clothing each child has with them every day.

Sadly not all parents do send their children with appropriate clothing/footwear. But that doesn't mean we should stop the rest from going out - we do try and find spares for those who don't come prepared.

I wonder if OP went to a school, where the snow was cleared away & then salted?

It’s a good experience for your daughter that she wouldn’t have had otherwise - sounds like you are a bit anxious and maybe wrap her in cotton wool.

I’m a midday supervisor and can assure you that we had 400 children hareing around all over the place today and it was a job getting them to keep their coats on as they were so hot. They loved being outside and were absolutely fine.

Bimble ours too. Seriously considering keeping ds2 home tomorrow (first time ever) so we can go sledging.

The old Head used to let them play in the snow. New Head is determined to suck any joy out of childhood altogether.

Ah, I'm a nanny and my last boss was like you maybe- thought being ill was through being cold. Heating cranked up to 25 all the time, bed socks, thermal vests as soon as the first sign of winter appeared. God it was exhausting having to go along with all that nonsense. No leaving hair slightly damp, ever, in case of a head cold. Went mad when we went outside to do sparklers in the park without balaclavas on (it was 10 degrees )

No being cold doesn't lower your immune system. People used to think being cold made you get ill, hence old people say 'you'll catch a chill' and insist on no wet hair outside when it's cold but it's totally unrelated. Your daughter will have had a fun day. If she saw as cold she would have told a teacher she was cold and the teacher would have taken her in, they're not cruel! Also I imagine if she was cold she would have told you she was cold and it was awful, instead she's told you she was playing, implying it was fun

If you have health anxiety you need to be outside when it's cold not cooped up
In a room with lots of people who might be carrying viruses

@eleanorelephant what a miserable person you are!

I bet your house is a barrel of laughs.

😂 😂 "let's hope they get a better education than OP"

Seriously tho you are massively over reacting.

Your anxiety is not normal and you need to take steps to manage it before your children are affected by it.

Some of my best memories were playing all day in the snow. We would start wrapped up and slowly strip off the gloves, hats, scarfs, and coats.

Today we took the kids out to play in the snow. They loved it. One students wheelchair did get stuck and needed an extra push. But apart from that laughter all round.