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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that some parents won't want to send kids back yet?

180 replies

Toomuchtrouble4me · 10/05/2020 23:45

I totally get that loads of parents want to get back to work and want to get their kids back to school - even though this pandemic is still raging.
We have a health compromised family with over-reactive immune systems and I don't fancy two of our chances if we get this virus.
I don't really see why were re-opening schools when nothing has changed, we may as well have kept them open all along.
It's not so much of an AIBU as a WWYD - I'm not sending mine back, unless something really drastic changes, before September when I'll re-assess.
Just wondering if i'm a lone voice? I know that lots of you will HAVE to send kids back because of your own jobs, but if you didn't have to, if you could keep them home until summer holidays start - would you do it? Should parents who are too scared to send kids back be fined for non-attendance?

OP posts:
MrsPerks · 11/05/2020 17:46

But aren't we supposed to be suppressing it, rather than catching it?!?

HangryChip · 11/05/2020 17:47

I think the pragmatic issue is staffing/teacher union - they will not be willing. They would also use the impossibility of maintaining social distancing as the premise for not being able to reopen.

My view is to just reopen, don't penalise those who don't send their children in. We can't hold out for a vaccine. There is a lot of uncertainty but one thing's for sure, there won't be a vaccine available at scale in September, December, March 2021...

Teateaandmoretea · 11/05/2020 17:48

@Lostmyshityear9

That is exactly the point I’m making. It wouldn’t be good. But get annoyed with your Union not some random on the internet who is just pointing out the bleeding obvious. The unions should be protecting the teachers and they aren’t.

Topsy44 · 11/05/2020 18:16

I can understand it if you have a Reception aged child and you are able to keep them at home. They are so little and most of their learning is through play so they're not really going to be missing out on much if you keep them at home apart from the social aspect.

If I had a choice whether to send my DD in or not, I still would send her in. She is an only and really needs other social interaction other than me. Its getting tougher every day to wfh and home school. She wants to go back and see her friends and have routine. I think the risk to children is very tiny. My own DD would be much happier in school but I do understand that's not the case for every family.

Devlesko · 11/05/2020 18:20

I'm not sure if any of them will be going back in June, it's all conditional. If the "r" rate reaches/goes above 1, nobody will be going anywhere.
After seeing the packed public transport and lack of social distancing in parks and beaches, we'll be locked down again.
I can't see it happening, but happy to be proven wrong.

Bollss · 11/05/2020 18:24

Oh @devlesko do you believe everything you see in the papers?

Devlesko · 11/05/2020 18:29

I don't read newspapers or generally watch the news.
I saw the first lockdown programme and the speech last night, why?
Boris was adamant that he'd put the brakes on if he had to, and I think he'll have to. I live across the road from our towns park. I don't need a newspaper.

Bollss · 11/05/2020 18:39

I see. I've seen empty buses by my house I therefore proclaim it must be the same everywhere Hmm

formerbabe · 11/05/2020 18:45

I think unless they go back very soon, they should all be repeating the year.

They have missed so much...I'm struggling to see how they can catch up.

Riojasmoothy · 11/05/2020 18:45

I hugely disagree with those who say reception and year 1 don't need to be in School. Those years lay the foundations of learning for the rest of Schooling. My children absolutely blossomed in their understanding and ability in those groups.
By year 2 and above most children can read and write fluently, making home Schooling a lot easier. They also far more able to work independently for short periods of time whilst parents work from home. I totally agree with the R, Y1 and Y6 being the first back to School.
Obviously there will be exceptions and SEN children but as a rule it makes sense.

Riojasmoothy · 11/05/2020 18:48

I think unless they go back very soon, they should all be repeating the year.

1 term out of three? And then what? Double up reception classes or keep the new intake back a year too?

caperberries · 11/05/2020 18:48

I’ve seen that all primary dc will be back at school by the beginning of July, but prep schools break up then. I suppose our dc won’t be going back at all

HangryChip · 11/05/2020 20:24

Those years lay the foundations of learning for the rest of Schooling

Totally agree for R and Y1. They also need the social setting more than older years, who have a bit more emotional maturity, and are capable of some independent learning. Not saying they are not important but it is more plausible, even if not perfect, to deliver remote learning to other years

Y6 like Y1 is preparing for a critical transition.

Insideout99 · 11/05/2020 20:32

Mine won't be going back for some time. I entirety respect that some people want their children back sooner rather than later. Thankfully we can make it work for a while longer but of course it's not ideal. My son has asthma and my husband is vulnerable too so I'd prefer us at home.

Original poster
Toomuchtrouble4me · 12/05/2020 20:19

I think unless they go back very soon, they should all be repeating the year.

They have missed so much...I'm struggling to see how they can catch up

It's only a term! And they are all in the same boat, this will be reflected in assessment, it will be fine.

OP posts:
consideringachange · 12/05/2020 20:21

I'm a school governor. Our head teacher estimates 30-40% of families won't bring children back if the schools reopen this term. Mine will def go back but we've all had the virus anyway.

olivehater · 12/05/2020 20:29

Do people really want their kids going back in September when autumn is coming. I would defiantly rather get a respiratory disease in the summer than the autumn or winter. If everyone waits till then it’s a recipe for disaster!

Original poster
Toomuchtrouble4me · 13/05/2020 00:40

Do people really want their kids going back in September when autumn is coming. I would defiantly rather get a respiratory disease in the summer than the autumn or winter. If everyone waits till then it’s a recipe for disaster!

hopeing not to get it at all!

OP posts:
SporadicNamechange · 13/05/2020 08:31

Y6 like Y1 is preparing for a critical transition.

Not necessarily. My Y6 is in a middle school and not transitioning anywhere. If it’s about supporting transition, then Y4 and Y8 should go back here.

It alarms me that the government don’t seem to be showing any awareness that the state school system(s) in this country have a range of different transition points. You’d think the DfE would factor this in to policy making.

Original poster
Toomuchtrouble4me · 14/05/2020 02:40

I’ve seen that all primary dc will be back at school by the beginning of July, but prep schools break up then. I suppose our dc won’t be going back at all

No - It's 1st June if it happens - and preps finish 1st week of July so they will get 5 weeks - if you send them , mine also at prep, i'm not sending them until September.

OP posts:
TiredMummyXYZ · 14/05/2020 03:02

The risks for children are not understood yet. I’m a primary teacher and my kids won’t be going back yet.

AIBU to think that some parents won't want to send kids back yet?
Imacliche · 14/05/2020 05:53

My 3 year old has brittle asthma amongst other health conditions and has had a letter saying hes high risk so 12 week shielding applies. My 6 and 7 year old will be going nowhere near school til earliest September, and if I'm quite honest probably not til next year. I have a gut wrenching feeling that there is going to be a second wave over winter that is going to be worst than the 1st . They are throwing kids under the bus here in my opinion and my children are not going to be the guinea pigs!

Imacliche · 14/05/2020 05:54

I will add that 2 of my 3 children are on the spectrum. Youngest is very low functioning. So its bloody hard at home. But I'd rather my head took a pounding than my son ending up in intensive care with this

StephThePragmatist · 20/05/2020 13:54

Its complete nonsense. France has sent it kids back, 1.4 million of them, there's been just 74 cases of covid. Teachers are no more in danger than any other profession bar the Health profession, or indeed the rest of us. Whats going on here is that a) the marxist teaching unions are using this as political capital just to be awkward, and b) too many people are now quite comfy doing nothing at home on full pay. If it were up to me id say "Schools reopen on 1st June, any teacher not reporting for work without a sick note will be deemed to be on unpaid leave. This is nothing to do with covid, this is abvout the marxist teaching profession trying to subvert a democratically elected government.

Teateaandmoretea · 20/05/2020 14:01

They are throwing kids under the bus here in my opinion and my children are not going to be the guinea pigs!

I think kids are being thrown under the bus because they are missing out on their education and life for something that to most of them is vanishingly low risk.