"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?

Just released his year group hasn't even gone back yet 🤣 at our school, it's only kids from reception, year 1 and 6 that's gone back. Our neighbours kids are in year 1, DS is in year 2. I'll tell him that tbh, thanks

Realised *

Even if it were his year group you'd have to explain your own fear and anxiety is preventing him from going. It's not fair on him at all but I think he should be told the truth, maybe it will allow you to also reconsider if you are making the right choice

That's not just at your school op. It's everywhere 🙈

If you are that afraid surely you should be keeping on top of updates etc?

Im surprised hes watching the news!

Yes he used to watch the daily govt briefing with me sometimes

I see you've stopped watching it 🤣

@mrsspooky

Im surprised hes watching the news!

My ds was absolutely obsessed with the daily briefing and idolised Matt, Boris et al.

6 year olds can be weird!

Will you be happy about him going back if they say his group can go back next week?

Sorry - you thought you were choosing to.keep.your child at home, but actually school's not open to him yet anyway?

To be honest, I do think you've got a responsibility as his mum to be a little better informed about what's happening with the schooling than that, and also help him manage the unusual situation by talking to him about it as things progress - for example, telling him when other years are going back, but explaining that it's not his year's turn yet, so he's not upset or confused when he sees other kids going.

You're responsible for understanding what's going on, and communicating with him about all this.

Unless you are high risk or have underlying illness there is absolutely no reason to keep your child away from school if he's able to go. Even If he gets it, or you do, the chances of it making you seriously ill are very very minimal.

I do think people need to start getting back to normal.

My kids aren’t back. It’s been a brilliant opportunity to teach them about independent thinking and not following the crowd. Several school workshops in one hit!

What a weird thread . Clue yourself in, fgs. Jesus!

To be honest I spoke to his teacher last month when it was announced that schools would be opening on 1 June, I told her then I won't be sending him back. I received and the email, but completely forgot about it. I just knew the would partly open the school, not full days.

This is batshit. You just be the only person in England to have just realised it's only year R, 1 & 6 back. This has been discussed for weeks. And surely school must have communicated this to you.

How did you "only just realise" mid thread, op?

Well, it depends.
If his yeargroup is back (our year 2 are), then Its either

• You/mum/dad are critically vulnerable so coronavirus could be dangerous, or
• i think the chance of getting Ill fromcoronavirus is big enough to keep you away from your friends and education

If his yeargroup isn’t back, its because his friend’s parents are keyworkers, so he isn’t allowed back, as unfair as it is.

How did you "only just realise" mid thread, op?

Because I checked my email when some of the PPs said some of their kids haven't gone back yet

So don't blame the school, be honest with your child and tell them it's your choice.

I dont think its a real thread now!

You've obviously not been on mumsnet much lately op- schools are all we talk about !!

Why would it break your heart?If you believe in your decision you just tell him why you did it. Surely it's the other kids you'd be "hesrtbroken" for.

Have many schools have taken 7yos back? (Yr2 or yr3?)

You're just happy you now have a handy excuse don't you?

"Aww,sorry darling the school isn't open for your year yet".

No need to actually try to analyse and justify your "feeling".

What a handy "realisation" half way through the thread.

You should be send him in when they open up to his year group

If he wants to go to school let him go ! The risk to children is miniscule, and if you or no-one in your household is vulnerable, then you are doing more harm than good by keeping him home when he doesn't want to be !

What a complete load of tripe this thread is. How do you get through the day without a map and a compass, op?