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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

242 replies

user8558 · 23/06/2020 10:20

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?

OP posts:
Angelonia · 23/06/2020 10:37

I'm sure you're not the only one OP. But definitely in a minority!

Original poster
user8558 · 23/06/2020 10:37

I think they'll be back to normal by October too.

But if it's the long haul so be it.

I did work for a living, now I no longer have a job.

Don't worry, the state won't be funding anything my partners income means we're not entitled to anything. So calm down

OP posts:
formerbabe · 23/06/2020 10:37

Besides, school is for learning, not socialising

Don't be ridiculous

InDubiousBattle · 23/06/2020 10:37

How old are your dc? I'm not convinced that things will be 'normal' this year. That's potentially the best part of a year for children to go without playing with their friends. Imho it's just too long. Do you have trust in your dcs school? it makes a big difference.

Drivingdownthe101 · 23/06/2020 10:38

@AlternativePerspective

But I'm also sure it's anxiety inducing for many other kids. And I never seem to hear about them on mumsnet. I don’t think it is. I think it’s more a case of adults projecting on to their kids and thus making them anxious.

Oh and, it was said recently that Scotland weren’t expecting to go back to normal for at least another year.

At my DC’s school I haven’t heard of any of the children finding it difficult (as yet), all have said their children are enjoying it (in year 1 and reception anyway, I haven’t spoken to year 6 parents).
AlternativePerspective · 23/06/2020 10:38

I think that there is a risk that children’s mental health is going to be adversely impacted by their parents’ decisions to not allow them to have a life at this point. School is most definitely about far more than just learning.

womaninatightspot · 23/06/2020 10:38

I'm also in Scotland, I think if there's a resurgance of corona kicking about in the Autumn, this'll go on all year. Also bubbles being sent home for symptomatic children i.e. having a persistent cough which half the kids seem to have at permanently between October and March.

Would love for them to go back full time in October but I can't see it.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 23/06/2020 10:39

Mine are going back the instant they're allowed. We're all low-risk and have no close relatives who are higher risk. I'm trying to work from home, home educate and stop the house descending into a pit of filth. In the meantime my childless colleagues are wittering on about how it has been tough to adjust to wfh full time because there are so many distractions.

LifeIsHardButSoAmI · 23/06/2020 10:40

I was up at my daughters school yesterday helping out with a few things. It’s so stripped back. It looks completely different and it’s sad.

But the teachers, SMT and parent council are breaking their necks to make it as pleasant as possible for the kids.

Xylophonics · 23/06/2020 10:40

Mine will be back as soon as possible.

Their cousin who is at a private school is already back full-time .

Wonder which kids will be the most affected by this situation long-term...?

Juststopswimming · 23/06/2020 10:40

First time i've ever seen a poll 100% in favour one way.

I disagree with you so much OP, but at the end of the day - you do you and I'll do me. Just remember that this is not just about you - its your childrens' lives and existences you are putting on hold - so be sure to have a good explanation ready for them as to why you held them back when the rest of the world attempted to get back to some normality.

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 23/06/2020 10:41

My Year 5 went back yesterday, I was unsure about it but he came out happy and tired and on balance I think it was good that he went back.

That’s for our personal circumstances though - we don’t have any family ill health to worry about. Only 10 of his bubble went back and they’ve further divided them into 2 groups for activities during the day so I’m confident they are in good hands.

If it does go round his class then better now than in Winter I think?

Cabinfever10 · 23/06/2020 10:41

John swinny(sp) in an interview admitted that schools in Scotland probably won't be back full-time until next year.

Sarah75Lou · 23/06/2020 10:42

Our Y5 daughter went back yesterday and she loved it!! I was not 100% sure to let her back or not, but seeing her face at pick up yesterday was the only answer I needed. Plus working from home and home schooling just doesn't go together :-)

Divebar · 23/06/2020 10:42

I don’t think it’s anxiety inducing for kids at all - it’s anxiety inducing for you and you therefore assume that kids are bothered. My DD8 is back at school under the key workers arrangement and has expressed no anxiety about social distancing at all. Her school is now introducing days for all year groups so children are returning in some capacity from now. ( this is in England). I would be more concerned about the negative impact of keeping them away from other children until October and what that transition would look like - especially if returning with a new teacher.

AlternativePerspective · 23/06/2020 10:42

@ Drivingdownthe101 exactly. I imagine there are a lot of children acting anxious in front of their parents because that is what’s expected of them. As soon as parents are out of sight those children will feel able to act normally again.

I really think that a lot of parents are actually damaging their children now by making these kinds of decisions.

And children are far more likely to be injured playing rugby or being hit by the boom of a boat than to be seriously ill from COVID.

Original poster
user8558 · 23/06/2020 10:42

Womaninatightspot I didn't quite understand your post - what do you mean about sympomatic children? One of mind has had a dry chesty cough since before Christmas. Maybe he won't even be allowed back anyway.

OP posts:
Hedgehog44 · 23/06/2020 10:43

My year 10 is back now. Children need to go to school!

Greysparkles · 23/06/2020 10:44

The great thing about kids, especially smalls ones is that they are adaptable.

Both mine are at school and loving it. They don't have to strictly socially distance within their bubble so there's lots of opportunities to play and talk to friends

TitianaTitsling · 23/06/2020 10:45

@Cabinfever10

You do realise that it will be next year before schools go back normally in Scotland. So 18+ months at home, no chance
Is this definitely true? What the fuck is going to happen then? Re jobs/the economy? Who on earth will this be feasible for? Clearly not the majority of working households. What a shit show!
Divebar · 23/06/2020 10:46

Our school has a big playing field with trees and great outdoor equipment and they are out there a lot - I can see them from my garden. They’ve put pergolas up for some sit down time. They’re having a fantastic time but the happy noises I can hear... I doubt many kids are bothered by the lack of soft toys.

InDubiousBattle · 23/06/2020 10:47

From what I can gather chatting to other parents and the head at school uptake for school places has been pretty high. Certainly in my dc's years (reception and yr1 )around 45-50 out of a 75 cohort are back. Some of those not back are being kept home because their siblings are in the year groups not yet back. Among my friends most are sending their dc back to school, a few didn't at first but have seen how well other dc have got on so sent them now. There are some who share your view so I don't imagine you'll be the only one .

IagoWithABlackberry · 23/06/2020 10:49

Mine are in reception and year one and are back already. They were doing alright at home but there is a marked positive difference in their attitude now that they've gone back, can see their friends and have a bit more structure to their day. It's great to see.

Original poster
user8558 · 23/06/2020 10:49

Clearly this raises some peoples hackles for some reason. I'm not sure why.

OP posts:
TeacupDrama · 23/06/2020 10:50

My DD is going back in August, to my mind they should have been back with blended learning at beginning of June and full time in August. A school age child is 5times more likely to die in car accident than from covid, the risk to a healthy child is about the same risk as being struck by lightning. However I know this is not the case for children with serious underlying conditions but these children are already at greater risk from norovirus and normal coughs colds etc. I would also agree that there needs to be a risk assessment for both children and teachers in the shielding category but no one in any job can be on sick leave or equivalent long term and if the risks are no greater or similar to normal flu risk then that is how it is, life is never "safe" and never was. Lots of P7 children had their outward bound activities cancelled due to covid but they weren't cancelled due to the fact that these type of outdoor activities are riskier than sitting in a classroom abseiling canoeing bouldering are all riskier than normal living but the benefits outweigh risk to most people. Before cars people died from being run over by horse and carts
To my mind all children should be back full time for the next academic year with very very few exceptions