"Well, Liam and Alex go to school, but you just let us stay home"

[letsgoschool]

Is what my 7 year old DS said to me today. I’m one of those parents who chose to keep my children at home even after the school had opened. They speak to the neighbours kids when they are in the garden, some of their parents are key workers and have been at school from day one, others are not and were sent back to school when they opened.

DS knows about the coronavirus as he watches the news and we’ve spoken about it. In the beginning he understood, and was ok with it but as time has gone on and he’s seeing the neighbours kids go to school, he says “ well Liam and Alex go to school, and they don’t get sick. Why can’t we? But you just keep us at home”

It broke my heart, I didn’t even know what to say. How do I explain this?

Well why are you keeping him at home? Are you in a shielding group? Are you protecting a relative who is higher risk? Tell him that.

Whatever your reason is? Is it you have a vulnerable family member? You don't feel safe yet? Honest best for them!

honesty I mean!

I would say “fair point, go to school”. It depends on your reasons for not sending him.

How do I explain this?
Well, there must be a reason you've decided to keep him home Explain that...

Tell him why you're keeping him at home. Is he vulnerable or someone else in the household?

Lucky to have the choice. 7 year olds aren't back in England and mine is "so over it" he says

Just tell him the truth, I assume you have someone vulnerable?

Have you explained your reasons to him?

Do you remain confident about your decisions?

it broke your heart? honestly just tell him your reasons and stop being soppy!

Tell them the truth. Why have you chosen to keep them at home? Tell them that.

My ds will be 7 in a few weeks. We brought them out of school a week early & whilst I think I will send them back in Sep unless things get worse, I will let them know that they might not go when other children are.

What are your long term plans? Is it achievable to keep them off indefinitely?

Depends on the reasons you have for keeping him home.

Explain in an age appropriate way why you've decided to keep him at home?

Im surprised hes watching the news!

Why are you keeping them off school? Is it shielding? If not, are your kids happy? If this is affecting them when is right to send them back?

Where abouts are you OP? I assumed hes year 2 or 3 and most of them have not gone back yet as far as I know.

My six year old is off school because his younger brother is vulnerable. We sought medical advice from his surgeon before making this decision.

We have explained it to our six year old. He knows that we have to keep his brother safer from ‘the germs’ (as he calls them) as he has had an operation on his lungs and it could make him more poorly.

What are your reasons for it? Tell him that

You obviously feel strongly enough about this issue to keep him at home, so have the courage of your conviction and tell him why.

I'm not shielding or vulnerable, I just don't feel safe yet. I want to see how things go first.

Well then tell him that in a child appropriate way.

Either tell him why he can't go to school, or send him to school if you have no reason.

Why can't he go to school if other children in your area are going to school?

Well if you arent vulnerable or shielding then you'll just have to tell him its because of your own fear.

So tell him that. Or obviously if you're in England tell him his year aren't back yet anyway