To feel I can't cope with schools only going back part time in August?

[jbonsor]

Just that. I was coping OK with lockdown, and trying to keep positive about juggling kids and working from home til June, then take a few weeks holiday over the summer just to do things with the kids even if still restricted. This week I have received a letter from my son's nursery to say he has a space for the 2020-2021 school year but that due to covid 19 they can't confirm pattern of attendance, as in, they can't confirm if he will have the 30 hours he was having since August. I also have read a lot that primary school might be 2 days only a week or a very day but only morning or afternoon session.. This has really tipped me over the edge as I am dreading having to keep juggling all this for over a year. This really puts a strain in family life and finances because now we have to basically decide on one income only, and not onky that but I don't feel I am that good at home schooling and feel like my kids are going to fall behind. Sometimes I can't believe how everything fell apart so spectacularly and how is the Scottish government deciding this is the best course of action without any regard for the mountain of problems this will bring to a huge amount of families.

Maybe we will be going back to a time when men worked, women stayed at home and looked after the kids and taught them basic skills before going to school at 5 - not 1 or 2 or 3. I like the sound of that.

And I’m afraid I don’t buy in to this ‘oh it’s terrible for women’ crap, if you had children with someone who thinks childcare is all down to the mother then that’s your problem. In my family it’ll be my husband who fits his work around the school timetable, as it always has been. OBVIOUSLY it’s different for single parents, but if there are 2 of you then there is no reason why it has to all be the mother’s responsibity.

@blondieg I wouldn't think he needs 2 hours either if I was having proper interactions with him the rest fo the day but since I have to be glued to my screen for at least 8 hours a day, 4 of those in meetings where I even have to lock myself down I. A room then I would think 2 hours is the least he needs from me.

@boxachocs yes for. Me is more about how this will affect the family unit (kids and parents) not a battle of the sexes kind of thing, but then again every family has different circumstances so I can see how some women will be more affected if their husband is the higher earner.

@milktray that was a wonderful option when you could buy a house and support a family on 1 wage only.

Maybe we will be going back to a time when men worked, women stayed at home and looked after the kids and taught them basic skills before going to school at 5 - not 1 or 2 or 3. I like the sound of that.

I think that sounds even worse than lockdown. I've worked hard for my career, set and example to my daughters that equal parenting is important and a joint effort from both adults is needed for a home to function. Let's not think that going back to women being reliant on husbands for money is ever going to be a good thing.

@frasersmummy I can not imagine how much more difficult this is for people with teenagers to provide them with quality homeschooling

Boxachocs me too.

The exam classes will be sorted one way or another. Ofqual will have to step in and make sure no one suffers because of it.

I have a Y10 due to start coursework in June. They won’t be back then. However, the exam boards aren’t going to just ignore it. They will put things in place. I do t know what but they can’t be disadvantaged because of Covid.

In my house it will be DH that gives up his job or works around school hours, if it indeed comes to that. He is already part time to care for our youngest, who has some health issues.

We all choose our family working patterns and the way we divide childcare.

Am gobsmacked at all these schools offering part time. The guidance is very clear that school places offered are to be full time and not on a roa.

@jbonsor Yes, it’s more about the lower earner/person potentially already part time who will adapt, that’s not always the mother and if it is, it is sometimes the choice. I’m a primary teacher so when I go back full time into school next week it will be my husband who will have to fit his work around when school is open, because he earns less and is more flexible.

What can schools do differently? We can't make the need for social distancing disappear yet. As long as you need to social distance in your workplace, so will educators.

Completely agree with you @jbonsor - have started a similar post.

The quiet shelving of the 30 hours expansion is just another sneaky little promise revoked that no one ever seems to challenge NS or the SNP on.

@golde eyah we have stuff send in 3 different wyas: email, glow and another app. Trying to keep track of that is a nightmare

@GoldenOmber
With flu season, children get the nasal spray here every single year. For those children that don't, its herd immunity meaning that because all the other children have been vaccinated, they are unlikely to catch it. My dd missed it one year and I was told it was fine for her not to have it because of this.
For this reason, I don't regard it the same at all. There are many people who are suffering long term effects from covid 19. We have no idea of the impacts in the long run on our children.

I think that sounds even worse than lockdown. I've worked hard for my career, set and example to my daughters that equal parenting is important and a joint effort from both adults is needed for a home to function. Let's not think that going back to women being reliant on husbands for money is ever going to be a good thing.

It's no way a good thing but it's what women on here are saying. They believe they have to stop work due to childcare, mainly because their dh earns more.
He'll always earn more too, if women don't step up for promotion and ensure their dh takes paternal leave, share childcare etc.

@jbonsor
Not in Scotland.

There are plenty of women that earn more than their partners. Me included.

@gales the thing is they don't have the data to say social distancing has a significant impact in outcomes for healthy people. I will say keep the vulnerable shielded and the rest of us can go back with some good hygiene measures. I have asthma but because is not that nad I am not considered vulnerable.

With flu season, children get the nasal spray here every single year. For those children that don't, its herd immunity

Yes, and still, children die of flu every year. Fortunately it’s in tiny numbers and mostly they only get it mildly and without complications, just like with covid.

Ydnbu op
The impact to children has been wildly forgotten and dismissed
My 12 and 13 years olds are definitely struggling / they’re missing Their friends and sports and are struggling to learn at home - they are definitely loosing out and no end in sight or school started date

Then of course there will be the impact from their parents losing their jobs, homes possible family breakdowns and the general impact of increased stress, worry and constant juggling

Hugely being minimised in this

The guidance is guidance. Schools don’t have to follow it. The school I used to work at was 4 form entry infants only. 8/12 of their classes should be returning, plus key worker children. They have a hall, so that’s 13 classrooms available. To half each class they’d need 16+ however many for key workers. So it’s either part time or don’t let y1 back. The guidance suggests not letting y1 back in this situation, but as I say, it is just guidance and the head obviously feels part time for all is better than full time for some.

I just don't see how schools can do this any other way. If you have a suggestion I would love to hear it.
They cant have all the children back at once because:

1. They cannot possibly distance each child.
2. They have not enough staff.
3. It would be costly and impractical to adapt buildings.

If they put all the children back at school at once, what about the health and safety of the teachers? Who will teach the children when they are sick. What about deprived children who may pass it on to their families? single parents?
What is the answer?

The guidance is very clear that school places offered are to be full time and not on a roa.

Not in Scotland. Part-time only for all children, from August.

It will be difficult but my local school has no choice. It is tiny and there is simply no room to fit everyone in. They are also having serious staffing issues as several teachers are shielding. Others are vulnerable but not required to shield but are very worried about coming back and have talked about being signed off or resigning completely. I know the head teacher and he is worrying about being able to open at all with all of the above problems. Not least because his TAs have got other jobs since lockdown started and aren't sure about coming back given they have been asked to teach one bubble.

It is such a nightmare for everyone and I don't see how a load of people won't lose their jobs over childcare problems. I am supposed to shield and am already getting hassle from my employer about returning once our lockdown ends. I can't see many employers being sympathetic if this goes on for a year. People where I work are already resentful about picking up slack from parents who can't work and look after their child at the same time (understandably)