To wonder if I'm the only person who won't be sending kids to school in August

[user8558]

AIBU to wonder if I'm the only one who won't be sending DC back to school in August.

I initially thought "wait and see", but now the details are coming out about what it will be like. And my instinct is telling me to keep them off until normality resumes. Or something closer to normality.

Homeschooling has been going well. I'm not worried about their education.

I do worry about the lack of social interaction, but feel on balance this need wouldn't be satisfied adequately until things are a bit more relaxed anyway.

I wouldn't be expecting any work to be set for my kids, I'll take care of their home learning.

I cannot be the only one feeling this and thinking this?

Or is everyone going back in August/September?

[Rinoachicken]

OP:

It's really not my anxiety that's the problem.

Also OP:

I don't like social distancing, makes me anxious and negates any joy of seeing my friends. I'd rather message them and then see them in person when we can behave normally. If I feel like this, there must be some children affected by it.

I also don't think it will be safe once lock down has eased (at first)

[Quartz2208]

how long are you planning this for? I think we are not far off a normality we are going to have to navigate now for the next 12 months or so. 1 metre social distancing/mask wearing etc

[user8558]

It's really not my anxiety that's the problem. Some of these comments are ridiculous.

[jgjgjgjgjg]

It appears to be your own anxiety which is the problem. It's understandable that some people might need some help in taking an objective view of the risks and benefits after so long at home. But I really do think you should seek some help for your anxiety sooner rather than later so that it doesn't impact on your children.

[Witchcraftandhokum]

I think we are prioritising them. Schools will open, just with social distancing in place.

[ShutUpaYourFace]

My just 5 year old was offered a place on 1st June and I just felt it was much too soon. I declined. I was worried, he was often upset going when it was normal.
Last week school rang saying he either starts on 22/6 or there's no place until Sep. I decided to try so he's started yesterday for 5 day's a week. 0-50 the stress! He cried before we left the house, after not being upset at all at the prospect. He cried when I dropped him off. I felt like shit. On picking him up he had a lovely time. He was singing and happy and went in today no problems.
Personally I think you should send them, you'd be surprised how it lifts them. The virus is here for the long haul. Whilst death rates and infections remain low get them back in, if a 2nd wave comes they will close again anyway. My school has taken 2 year groups (RC & YR1) as it's a infant school. So social distancing is in place with bubbles of 10. I have a YR3 child at home with no hope of school until September. To get all children back social distancing will not possible.
Hopefully come August/September the virus will be under control, we desperately need to get back to normal, but only if it's safe to do so.

[Quartz2208]

but this isnt about putting our individual children or families first @Witchcraftandhokum this is about making sure a whole generation of children have their needs met. My two are fine and fortunate enough to be ok through all of this but many are not. This isnt as I said about any particular individuals but about a whole set of children who we cannot fail by continuing beyond September to not prioritise them.

[Witchcraftandhokum]

Myself2020 you think I should resign for wanting to put my family first? I completely.umderstand that you want to put your children first and I think I should be allowed to feel the same way.

[Witchcraftandhokum]

I have not said I won't be returning to work, I already have done but with social distancing in place. My original question was for those who don't think schools should have social distancing in place.

[Quartz2208]

@Witchcraftandhokum Im afraid I think that in this situation the needs of the many (children) need to be put ahead of the few.

If you make the decision that you cannot go back then that is your decision and choice to make. You cannot have that at the heart of any guidance for the many children we are currently failing by not having a clear education plan.

Also there does need to be a clear set of what constitutes underlying conditions that put people at risk

[WingingItSince1973]

My 5 year old reception year GS wont be returning until September now. I home Ed our 14 year old daughter so no difference for us. Friends have sent their year 5s back whereas others are waiting to see what September brings. I have nieces and nephews being kept off until September too. To say these children will be adversely affected accademically for years by being kept at home is absolutely ridiculous. The children I know are happier and enjoying lots of different learning activities with their parents. Granted its not easy as some like my daughter still worked from home but home school children can thrive just as much as schooled children. Of course everyone's circumstances are different and I can't imagine the stress of homeschooling and working from home too. My GS was SEN and was on half days anyway since he started school so my daughters decision is both a health and mental health reason x

[FizzFan]

Social distancing in schools won’t work anyway. I took my son to high school for his induction today and there was no social distancing whatsoever. Kids were crowding around at the doors, the gates etc. If this was it with one half of one year of the school there’s zero chance with half the school.

[FizzFan]

For those saying they want children to go back with no social distancing can I ask what you feel about the staff. Many staff have underlying health conditions or family with underlying health conditions. I went to see my parents and grandmother the other week before I went back to school for the year 10's. If we go back to school with no social distancing who knows how long it will be until I see them again, and possibly never again in the case of my grandmother

That’s really sad and there’s no perfect solution to this shitshow. Sadly, children getting a full education does actually now need to be the priority.

What level of infections would there need to be to make you feel comfortable to see them? What if it drops to 1 in 20000 for example?

[Pipandmum]

School most definitely IS for socialising as well as learning. Where do you think they learn about that sort of things? Its never too early to learn the rules of the playground- it's learning the rules of society. How many people have said on these pages how happier their kids are now they are back at school - do you think it's because they really want to learn how to spell? No, it's because they can see their friends.
My daughter (Y10, so I'm assuming older than yours) and she went back physically part time last week. She is fortunate that her school provides a full schedule of online lessons too, but that one day a week is invaluable.

[myself2020]

@ssd most of us have somebody they would like to see, but can’t because its too dangerous. you can’t just say you want to get paid, but don’t want to work. Its different if its somebody in your direct household, but otherwise you need to choose. Most doctors, nurses, therapists etc have somebody they would like to see but can’t. I won’t see my parents until at least christmas (and haven’t since february) as its too risky with my job.

[majesticallyawkward]

@Witchcraftandhokum what are your thoughts on the children who could end up homeless, hungry or hurt because their parents loose jobs because they have no childcare?
I appreciate teachers have family too, but so do the frontline workers who have been there through it all unable to see parents, grandparents and children.

It's the parents decision to send in or keep at home and neither should be judged.

[ssd]

@myself2020, don't be ridiculous.

[myself2020]

@witchcraftandhokum then you should resign, or at least take a sabbatical.

[Witchcraftandhokum]

Myself2020 I suppose we all have diffent levels of importance for those we hold dear. For me seeing my grandmother before she dies is more important than your child's education.

[Witchcraftandhokum]

Question mark GP's and nurses have PPE

[ssd]

Op, did I read correctly upthread you will send them back when sailing club and rugby club returns?

[QuestionMarkNow]

Sorry
I am back at work next week. Dc back at school.
This means we will not see either my parents or PIL who are all shielding due to cancer etc...
It’s still the right thing to do

[QuestionMarkNow]

@Witchcraftandhokum I feel about teachers going back to work with little or not social distancing the same way I feel about GPs and nurses who have never stopped. Or people working in a massive open plan office issuing passports. Or the hairdressers opening soon.

Yes it might impede their ability to see family members. But we can’t stop the whole of the country forever.

(I am back at work ne

[myself2020]

@Witchcraftandhokum but that is true for many people returning to work? Nurses, doctors, therapists, taxi drivers, ...
We can’t deprive all children of an education so that adults can meet their grandmother? You will have to time visits with the holidays, but at least you will have the luxury of doing that (most of us don’t get 2 weeks + away from possible infection in any regular way - you will have all summer, end of half term and end if christmas holidays).