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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be irked that teacher wouldn’t open 6-year-old’s water bottle at school?

229 replies

Tabletoppp · 09/09/2020 18:47

Just that really. 6-year-old came home very thirsty and said he has a headache. I took his water bottle out his bag and said, “oh you didn’t drink anything?”

He said he couldn’t get the cap off (It wasn’t on that tight, but oh well!), and that he asked his his teacher to help and she said no, she can’t touch his water bottle because of Covid.

So all day he drank no water.

Aibu that she should have helped him and then just washed her hands?!

OP posts:
AldiAisleofCrap · 09/09/2020 20:13

@Pimmsypimms I simply opened it for him and then sanitised my hands afterwards. so you didn’t sanitise your hands before touching the bottle that would then touch the child’s mouth?

neveradullmoment99 · 09/09/2020 20:13

@Tabletoppp

Dreambigger I’ll send him with a different one tomorrow, but still feel a bit Hmm that no one would help him.

I know it’s not a big thing and teachers are under a lot of pressure (I was a teacher before going on maternity leave, albeit not that age group, so no intention to bash), but can’t decide whether or not I should internally get worked up over this or not Grin

There are bigger things to worry about.
Shockingstocking · 09/09/2020 20:16

She should have found a disposable cup and filled it herself. That's really bad. That's not safe.

Atomsaway · 09/09/2020 20:16

That is pathetic. What kind of a teacher does this? She needs to get a grip or leave teaching.

Shockingstocking · 09/09/2020 20:16

And she should have called you.

rooarsome · 09/09/2020 20:18

YANBU and I would clarify with the teacher with a chat about what actually happened- was it because they didn't realise your child was struggling or was it due to a strict rule about handling pupil's property.
Honestly I would be very annoyed.

bananaskinsnomnom · 09/09/2020 20:20

I wouldn’t let yourself get any more worked up - like others have said bigger things.

However I’m in the infant age range at school and help open bottles and food pots. Hand sanitizer before and after. Or gloves. It’s not that hard. Teacher will have unintentionally touched much worse. Daft if teacher to do that.

SideEyeing · 09/09/2020 20:22

@Atomsaway

That is pathetic. What kind of a teacher does this? She needs to get a grip or leave teaching.
Eye roll.

We're being told to be super strict about covid stuff. I can't leave my stupid taped box to write on the white board. I can't help kids with their work in class properly. It was reiterated in staff briefing on Monday for people who were 'using their common sense' that it will be viewed as a serious H&S breach.

Maybe she's been opening kids' bottles/tying shoelaces all week and been warned not to.

It's an incredibly tense climate in schools at the moment for staff.

Srslydontgiveacrap · 09/09/2020 20:23

What an idiot that teacher is

MNnicknameforCVthreads · 09/09/2020 20:24

@TDGH1245ANON

As a teacher I'd say she was being highly negligent. She could have sanitised her hands, opened the bottle and re sanitised she was very silly not to do this. I'd raise a complaint especially as your DC is so young this is just nonsense.
Also agree with this.
SideEyeing · 09/09/2020 20:24

Also no one dies from not having a bottle of water for one day. I'm sure he drank a bit more at home and was fine. I wasn't allowed any at primary school twenty years ago and frequently didn't drink the lukewarm jug water at lunch either. Managed not to expire. All these 'shocked' and 'appalled' posts are ridiculous. It's one day. No harm done. If anything it's reiterating to the kids the seriousness of the situation.

Pimmsypimms · 09/09/2020 20:24

Sorry, should have been clearer, I had just sanitised my hands when we came back in to school from outdoor play, opened the bottle for the year 1 boy and then sanitised them again.

PheasantPlucker1 · 09/09/2020 20:24

In her place, Id have opened the bottle.

However, if she had opened the bottle and tested positive tomorrow, it would put your DC at a higher risk. She may just be trying to protect herself from complaints.

Marleymoo42 · 09/09/2020 20:25

Yes the teacher was in the wrong but you weren't there to know the situation. Could it be that she had a whole classroom of children unable to open water bottles, crisp packets, peel bananas, oranges and tie their laces? Maybe she'd just been sneezed on. Maybe she was the one who sent the letter to all parents reminding you to send in packets they could open. Maybe it was her not very good way of trying to encourage a child to be independent. I'd be annoyed if it was my child and they hadn't had a drink but I certainly wouldn't launch a complaint. Get a different water bottle and move on.

Rabblemum · 09/09/2020 20:26

I’d be furious, didn’t the teacher have some hand sanitiser she could have used after opening the bottle? How can a thirsty child learn anything...

anorangeaday · 09/09/2020 20:26

At my school we have sent a letter out string children need to be able to open water bottles, lunch box containers etc on their own. However, as a one off I’d wash my hands, open the bottle and wash my hands again and then send a letter home to say an easier bottle needs to be provided the following day

MrsHamlet · 09/09/2020 20:26

[quote AldiAisleofCrap]**@Pimmsypimms* I simply opened it for him and then sanitised my hands afterwards.* so you didn’t sanitise your hands before touching the bottle that would then touch the child’s mouth?[/quote]
This is why she didn't do it. Because she's damned if she does and she's damned if she doesn't.

Atomsaway · 09/09/2020 20:27

@SideEyeing
Sounds like you need to get a grip too or maybe your head does.
I teach in a sensible school which wouldn’t allow a child to go thirsty. Neither are we projecting our own fears onto the kids.

1Morewineplease · 09/09/2020 20:27

We would never let any of our children go without water, that being said, over the last couple of years, some water bottles are incredibly difficult to open, even for adults.

It's also frustrating to see so many snacks/packed lunches that children struggle to open too. Those yoghurt pouches are so tricky and plastic tubs with side clips can also prove challenging after they've finished. Children also regularly bring in food in tie-handled freezer bags with tight knots in them so the bags have to be ripped by an adult.

I can see both sides but it is a bit tricky for schools at the moment.

ancientgran · 09/09/2020 20:29

I would have got a paper towel, covered the lid, opened the lid, discarded paper towel (or tissue), washed hands. Or his parents could have done what the other parents probably did and sent him in with a bottle he could manage himself.

narcdad45 · 09/09/2020 20:30

@OwlBeThere

As a kid we weren’t even allowed a drink at school other then lunch time, and yet somehow we all survived. One day isn’t going to kill him/her.
I was waiting for this type of comment 🙄my 5yo's school does not offer water at the moment even during lunch due to bloody Covid so the teacher was totally over the top and unreasonable.
P999 · 09/09/2020 20:32

Yes. They should have opened it and wash their hands. I wouldnt say anything though. And i see you'll be giving your child a different bottle.

MayLeaveADentInYourSofa · 09/09/2020 20:34

I would be annoyed but teachers, like the rest of us, are navigating this confusing situation.

I'd practise opening it at home this evening or send him with a different bottle tomorrow.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 09/09/2020 20:37

I swear that a teacher could kill a child and the jury of MN would day it's a difficult time for them and the parents should have done a better job 🙄

It's like they don't have a duty of care to children or something.

Scbchl · 09/09/2020 20:38

Pretty sure she could of used a blooming paper towel to open it for goodness sake.