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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

354 replies

eleanorelephant · 28/02/2018 19:44

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.

OP posts:
RavenWings · 28/02/2018 20:49

Jesus Christ. Yes, yabu.

Viruses are just a fact of life that you need to suck up and accept as being part of school life. And I'd double check whether a child of that age had all the facts correct about the situation before getting worked up.

Allthewaves · 28/02/2018 20:51

Last lot of snow, at least half school wasnt in and teachers built snowmen with the kids - lovely bonding for kids and adults who teach and support them

Original poster
eleanorelephant · 28/02/2018 20:51

Viruses are just a fact of life that you need to suck up
*
Raven* did you read my previous post? Would you find it easy to just suck them up when you watched a loved one nearly die?

OP posts:
BouncethfOFF · 28/02/2018 20:52

^yes bounce I have "issues". Issues which arose from my DH nearly dying from a virus and leaving him with long term health problems. And I have had CBT for my "issues" which on the whole helped a lot but I don't think this kind of anxiety ever really goes away. Happy now?

And again, please don't feel sorry for my DD. She has a happy rounded life. Me worrying about her getting ill doesn't usually affect her. It never snows here so this was a first for me today.

]
It's still sad that you have such anxiety that you won't allow them to have the enjoyment of a 'snow day'

schnubbins · 28/02/2018 20:52

I live in Germany.I passed the kindergarten this morning at 10am.It was minus 11 degrees .They were all outside playing , granted bundled up.All happy. The kids here walk to school also when the temps are even lower minus 13 expected tonight .I have teenagers but have always sent them out in freezing temps when they were young sledding or just playing in the snow.They never have colds.

hotcrossbunsandtea · 28/02/2018 20:53

Why do people take pleasure in coming online and kicking a stranger when she's clearly upset about something?

Does it make you feel big and clever?

Fuckit2017 · 28/02/2018 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Supergran58 · 28/02/2018 20:54

“I send my child to school to learn, not to spend hours outside jn the freezing cold. I don't think the teachers were trying to make memories for the children, I think they just couldn't be arsed anymore.”

As a teacher who spent a good deal of today outside supervising children playing in the snow, teaching maths in a nice warm classroom would have been my preference.

It’s not just about building childhood memories, it’s about providing interesting experiences that build into their understanding and will support (in the case of playing in the snow) their scientific understanding.

TattyTShirt · 28/02/2018 20:54

You obviously have heavy snow in your area OP. Were you happy to send your dd into School and allow her teacher to do what's best for her and her peer group?

I guess you did as if your 'illness' saw a fed flag you would have kept her home.

I fondly remember playing with my classmates in the school yard on a snowy day. Unfortunately Health and Safety took hold when I went to secondary School. J can't ever remember walking to school at secondary level but I'm sure I must have.

Children will always remember the fun times OP

RavenWings · 28/02/2018 20:54

Some of my family were in a serious car crash which left them with long term injuries. It was worrying and upsetting for me then when driving, but I've had to learn to accept that the chances of it happening are slim.

So yes, I think you need to suck it up. Sometimes in life you have to evaluate past experiences against the chances of it happening again.

AmysTiara · 28/02/2018 20:55

Our school had the children playing out too. I was delighted. It was lovely to see pictures of them enjoying the snow.

BouncethfOFF · 28/02/2018 20:59

Our school had the children playing out too. I was delighted. It was lovely to see pictures of them enjoying the snow.

Me too. I thought it was lovely.
But what do I know.
I'm evil reincarnate, for thinking this.
Apparently ...

BouncethfOFF · 28/02/2018 21:00

I live in Germany.I passed the kindergarten this morning at 10am.It was minus 11 degrees .They were all outside playing , granted bundled up.All happy. The kids here walk to school also when the temps are even lower minus 13 expected tonight .I have teenagers but have always sent them out in freezing temps when they were young sledding or just playing in the snow.They never have colds.

Its crazy.
We stress over so much.

Weebo · 28/02/2018 21:01

To be fair Raven everyone deals with stuff differently.

OP doesn't seem to have any intentions of barging into school and causing a fuss over this.

She's just having a moan on MN.

user789653241 · 28/02/2018 21:01

My ds would have loved the play in the snow whole afternoon. That's what childhood is all about. How lovely. I remember the same in my childhood, and is a fond memory.

DumbleDee · 28/02/2018 21:01

YABVU they're not going to melt

joystir59 · 28/02/2018 21:02

It used to be perfectly normal for children to spend all day out playing in the snow, soggy mittens, snow going down the back of your wellies, warm from running around. One snowy period in my childhood me and my friend build an igloo. We just took off after breakfast and were completely engrossed in our play. There were no adults around to supervise, I don't think my parents even knew exactly where I was. I went home sodden and cold exhausted and very happy. I didn't get sick, but we did have chilblains a lot because we had no central heating, but so what? Sometimes we went home with scraped knees and sometimes even the odd broken bone. But we were truly free to be in our child's world. The last thing our parents wanted was to supervise us. We learnt what our limits were and we used all our wits and imagination in our play. It was great. I would hate to be a kid now where everything is seen as dangerous. Its exhilerating to be out in all weathers.

joystir59 · 28/02/2018 21:02

And not one of us was fat

Nursejackie1 · 28/02/2018 21:03

I have magical memories of playing the snow for ages when we got the chance at school. Thank God the health and safety police werent what they are now back then, all the best times we had would probably never happen these days! Your children are lucky to go to such a school where the teachers are prepared to be outside in the cold in order for the kids to have fun in the snow. They will be fine. They have not and will not perish.

Rachie1973 · 28/02/2018 21:03

I suffer Health Anxiety. To quite a severe degree. Its very hard to cope with. Especially since one of my children had Meningitis and my husband suffered a 'widowmaker' heart attack and is only alive due to the dedication of a couple of people who pumped for 12 minutes.

I recognise and accept that my Health Anxiety CANNOT affect my childrens experience of life.

It requires huge effort on my part.

I think OP you'd have had more sympathy if you hadn't been so bloody minded so quickly.

littleoctonauts · 28/02/2018 21:04

I came to this thread via the home page, popular discussions thing. OP I agree with ppl that the cold does no harm, but not all mums know everything, there's no harm in asking something, but maybe this section of mumsnet isn't the right place.. I hope you've taken this from this thread - post genuine questions on parenting, or maybe even other forums altogether. AIBU is just for ppl looking for a bun fight and you will get burnt on hereSadFlowers

Willow2017 · 28/02/2018 21:05

They are more likely to get viruses in class cooped up together than running around outside.
Bet they had a ball. Learning isnt all about classrooms.

HaudYerWheeshtBawbag · 28/02/2018 21:05

My children have been out for hours in the snow playing/sledging/snow fights etc... they are unharmed and had loads of fun.

Rachie1973 · 28/02/2018 21:07

AmysTiara
Our school had the children playing out too. I was delighted. It was lovely to see pictures of them enjoying the snow.

We only had a couple open here, but one of them organised a massive snowball fight Teachers vs Kids and the pics are all over social media and the local paper, I think it was lovely :)

Our 2 local secondary schools were shut, and organised a School vs School snowball fight in the local park playing to the natural rivalry. About 150 kids turned up lol, not one bad incident, which is just brilliant

Shinycat · 28/02/2018 21:07

YABU. Come on!!! Get a grip. They're just having fun. It could be 5 years before we get any more snow!

It's a pretty exciting time right now - weather wise. Never known weather like it. I am loving it. And so are my kids. Smile

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