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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep the kids off school?

42 replies

HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 03:40

I had an engineer come out at 6.30pm to change my gas meter as the battery was low.

Whilst changing this it was found that I have a gas leak.

A team and a couple of vans arrived at 10pm and at 11pm they were drilling into the pavement outside my house, much to the annoyance of my neighbours.

They then came back in the house every ten minutes to check the gas levels as they cannot leave until it is at a safe level.

I sent my boys to bed at 11pm.

The engineers are currently outside my house digging with a shovel and are still checking the levels every ten minutes.

My gas has been cut off but clearly there is still gas leaking from somewhere.

Whatever result they get to at this time, at 9am they will drill properly and replace pipes etc to resolve the issue fully.

I'm the meantime I have work tomorrow and my 9 and 11 year old have school.

I will have had no sleep at all and will need at least the morning off to resolve the issue.

But would I be unreasonable to give my children the option for a day off school to sleep? They've had a few hours of broken sleep, but will need to get up at 6.30 to get ready for school.

OP posts:
breakingthebank · 11/02/2020 03:45

I'd see how they feel in the morning. If they're very tired keep them off, if they feel fine send them in.

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 03:46

Would school think I'm a fruit loop though and mark it down an unauthorised?

OP posts:
Weffiepops · 11/02/2020 03:51

If they are knackered then it would be unfair to send them in. Tell the school honestly what happened. After the kids have caught up on sleep they could maybe go for the afternoon?

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 04:16

The neighbours are not happy at being kept up all night. Already had complaints.

The levels are not going down so can't see me getting any sleep at all tonight.

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 11/02/2020 04:26

The neighbours are lucky you're getting it dealt with.

I imagine they'd complain far more if there was a gas explosion - especially if you're in a terraced or semi detached.

They may not like it but they'll have to lump it.

Hope you've managed to get some sleep now OP. What a miserable and presumably expensive experience :(

listsandbudgets · 11/02/2020 04:27

Oh and YANBU if you keep them off for at least the morning. they'll be no use if school if they're constantly nodding off anyway

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 04:31

Still wide awake and they are still coming in checking the levels every ten minutes.

They have to get 3 safe low readings in a row before they can leave.

They keep getting 1 low reading, not safe but giving them hope and then it shoots back up again.

My living room smells funky.

OP posts:
bettybattenburg · 11/02/2020 04:33

Sod the fucking neighbours they are complete fuckwits

MyOtherProfile · 11/02/2020 04:35

If they're digging out in the street does that mean the issue is out here and not in your house? If so it could be any of your neighbors who spotted it and it affects all of them so they need to stop having a go.

MyOtherProfile · 11/02/2020 04:36

But back to the original question definitely give the kids a late morning if they need it.

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 04:39

The leak is in my living room in the gas cupboard under the flooring. They've said it is the service pipe that comes from outside.

They have dug up outside in hopes to release the gas out that way and to try and stop it until its a decent hour and they can drill properly.

But there is no gas leak on the outside its all inside my house.

Which is why they are unable to just leave and come back at 9am. The reading in my living room is too high to deem safe. Yet I've been say in said living room for god knows how many hours now.

OP posts:
LolaSmiles · 11/02/2020 04:46

I'd see how they are in the morning but keep them off if needed. Just tell the school the truth: there's been a gas leak, they've had no sleep and aren't feeling themselves.

Bowerbird5 · 11/02/2020 05:25

Crikey they should have evacuated you when you have kids.
It should be fine with the school tell them if they are fit enough you will send them for the afternoon session.

ZebrasAreHorsesInPyjamas · 11/02/2020 05:29

Why are they letting you stay in the house if there is an unsafe level of gas INSIDE your house...??

pookypup · 11/02/2020 05:47

I’d let the kids sleep in for as long as possible then taken in late to school. I don’t think being tired merits a day off, personally.

Russell19 · 11/02/2020 05:48

I was about to say the same as the PP. Surely you should have got out and gone somewhere else for the night. High levels of gas can make you ill. Are your children awake or sleeping through it?

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 06:01

They are in bed asleep though are being woken frequently.

It seems they may actually be leaving soon now. Well until a crew comes back at 9am anyway.

I haven't had a minutes sleep and I'm starting to feel ill from tiredness now.

My alarm goes off in 29 minutes to get the kids up for school.

OP posts:
Bluetrews25 · 11/02/2020 06:07

I'd send them to school - to a building where there is no gas leak or risk of explosion, rather than keep them in a building where there is a leak and it will be too noisy to catch up on sleep if there is a load of drilling going on!
Yes, they might be tired, so they can have an early night tonight.
They will survive being a bit tired one day at school.

Orchidflower1 · 11/02/2020 06:16

Tbh I’d send them as it’s safe and warm in school but I’d phone and email school explaining how knackered they will be.

You could always collect them at lunch if they fall asleep. Hopefully you’ll have a nice warm, safe house by then.

Good luck @HarleyQuinnRocks it must be bloody stressful! 🌺

HelenaJustina · 11/02/2020 06:28

I’d send them to school but explain the situation. It sounds like they won’t get any more rest at home anyway if you have more crews in.

Sounds completely rotten for you, are you okay to drive them to school or can you ask someone for some help?

PlanDeRaccordement · 11/02/2020 06:35

I’d call them off school and either keep them home or take them to a friend/relatives house to rest. School isnt really equipped to be daycare for over tired children.

Original poster
HarleyQuinnRocks · 11/02/2020 06:52

They are awake and not objecting much so they may be okay. They did sleep for most of the night just disturbed sleep.

I'm going to try and get them to school and be back for 9 to see what they need to do to sort things.

Then I'll either go into work or go to bed depending on how I feel.

OP posts:
hen10 · 11/02/2020 06:57

I'd send them in with an explanation. They'll be warm and safe and you can get on with whatever you need to sort out at home. We had a little boy who we let doze off at the back of the class due to extenuatiing circumstances once. I didn't have the heart to wake him, knowing that he'd been up all night. Depends on your school though, obviously. A friend or relative would be preferable, but if needs must.

Dontdisturbmenow · 11/02/2020 06:57

One poor night sleep is nothing. They will have got some. They might struggle a bit today, and fair enough to write a note to explain if they are not very alert, but being off all day is unreasonable.

I dare to think what's happen if their teachers took the day off each time they get a poor night sleep!

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 11/02/2020 07:02

Don’t drive anywhere OP, you won’t be safe after no sleep.

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