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AIBU?

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Original poster

To encourage you to send letters like this to your schools?

718 replies

NameChange2271 · 22/09/2020 13:18

Name changed for this as apparently it’s an unpopular opinion; but I think it’s important to protect our children.

Please can I encourage you to send a letter like this into all your children’s schools.

Dear Headteacher

I am writing to inform you that (Child Name) is exempt from wearing a face covering of any kind, as per government legislation.

There are many exemptions from wearing a face mask, which incorporate hidden disabilities, including but not limited to:

(I) because of any physical or mental impairment or illness or disability (Section 6 of the equality act 2010)

(II) without severe distress

Section 6 of the equality act states that schools must not discriminate against a student because of their disability.

I am concerned that my child will be singled out for not wearing a mask and would like to remind you that this is also discriminatory.

(Childs Name) is under no obligation to provide proof of this exemption and is protected from doing so by the Data Protection Act 2018

I have also sent a copy of this letter to our solicitors.

Kind Regards
(Your Name)

OP posts:
Quietlifewanted · 22/09/2020 22:31

OP who on earth do you actually think you are?! I have never read such shite in my life. If your child has a genuine reason why they cannot wear a mask, a simple note to explain the reason is sufficient. Sending a copy to your solicitor?! Don't make me laugh. You do realise that the member of staff who receives that letter will just think to themselves 'what a dick!' as they file it away.

No teacher I work with has a problem with a student not wearing a mask if there is a real reason for not doing so. Just because a child doesn't like masks isn't a good enough reason. Why does the comfort of the child come before the safety of the staff? It's parents like the OP which will make me walk out on teaching one day. Luckily at my school the vast majority of the parents are sensible, decent human beings who are grateful that we are risking our health and the health of our families to give their children an education.

It's about time some people started showing the teaching profession some respect. If it's that easy, those who are constantly slating us, why don't you sign up to teach if you can do any better? You'll soon get fed up of dealing with the rubbish we have to deal with every day!!

Dee1975 · 22/09/2020 22:31

Be part of the solution or else be part of the problem.

Lockdownfatigue · 22/09/2020 22:32

No thanks. I’d prefer them protected against infection.

Comefromaway · 22/09/2020 22:33

Schools would know which children have hidden disabilities etc anyway.

Smallereveryday · 22/09/2020 22:45

Namechange2271
So not content with demanding your child is in school so that you aren't put to the inconvenience of home schooling in a pandemic ... you now require the staff to be out at an even further risk , because YOUR little darling doesn't like wearing a mask ?

How about you just deregister and keep him unmasked at home then ?

I'm not a teacher but fuck me, with parents like you with so little regard for MY safety I would of resigned by now.

I am in awe of all those teachers putting themselves out there everyday. I would be thanking them . Not making their lives exponentially more dangerous. !!

Quietlifewanted · 22/09/2020 22:56

@smallereveryday thank you! We know that the vast majority of parents are grateful and supportive. In my experience, teachers are trying their best every day in difficult circumstances (as are many people on many sectors). I just get so fed up of reading crap like the OP is spouting. I'm so glad I don't teach their child!! (Hopefully.... I'm sure I'd have heard laughing in the staffroom if a letter like that was received in my school!)

CJsGoldfish · 22/09/2020 23:00

My son was quite happy to have the letter actually; and asked to hand it in to his form tutor rather than me take it in, so clearly, being a “helicopter parent” isn’t damaging his mental health

That isn't a 'good' thing. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree and all that. Can just imagine what kind of prat you've raised. Not his fault, of course, but that doesn't change the end result

daisypond · 22/09/2020 23:04

I assumed the son just said he would hand in the letter, because he had no intention of handing it in at all. He is probably mortified.

Turtleturtle81 · 22/09/2020 23:25

Your “solicitor”? Grin

Thanks for the laugh OP, I really needed that tonight.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 22/09/2020 23:28

Nah. Not doing that.

My child is at a special school, has autism that affects him quite severely at times, and has many sensory issues. However, sometimes he can wear a face covering, which is awesome. I’m not going to tell him he doesn’t have to wear one, ever, as that’s a sure fire way for him to forget that compromise is king.

So you do what works for you, and be labelled as one of ‘those’ people, and I’ll continue trying my best to help my son make sense of this shitshow.

Toontown · 22/09/2020 23:31

You realise that 97% of people disagreed with you. Has that helped you realise that all the bullshit memes etc that you have and friends who aren't sheeple are more likely to be the few that are easily tricked. You are being made a fool of by algorithmsm.

PercyKirke · 22/09/2020 23:37

Why the hell should I?

Imakemistakeseveryday · 22/09/2020 23:49

Please don't send the letter. I work as a Teaching Assistant, staff know their pupils well and will be aware of those who may not be able to wear a mask. If they are not then simply speak to them politely! I support a child that I cannot socially distance from, he goes to a childminder before school where children from four other households are also present, he has horse riding and swimming lessons. I have two very elderly parents, one who has dementia and I am in a bubble with over 200 teenagers. It is an extremely scary time for me trying to do my best still for the child. Please keep in mind school staff are in an untested situation and trying their best whilst worrying risking becoming or making others very poorly or worse(may even lie awake worrying...)

yelyah22 · 23/09/2020 00:03

So... Is he actually medically exempt, or does he just not like them? Why does your son being potentially exempt mean everyone else should send the same letter as you? Why did you go straight to threatening legal action instead of just telling them he's exempt (if he is)?

BigChocFrenzy · 23/09/2020 00:23

YABU
Snowflakes R Us

Marstrandia · 23/09/2020 00:24

I’d tell my child to stay away from yours as he is doing everything he is asked to keep everyone else safe and your child is doing the opposite, probably through no fault of his own though, just his mother.

serenegiraffe · 23/09/2020 00:37

@NameChange2271 op you are a melt. An imbecile.
What will you do when (not if) your ds catches covid because diddums doesn't like wearing his mask?
Do you think his "severe distress" would be less than if he'd worn his mask like a responsible member of the human race?
And what will you do if his school has to close because of teachers (many highly vulnerable) dropping like flies?
What part of pandemic don't you understand?
The world does not revolve around you and your cosseted offspring

Pobblebonk · 23/09/2020 00:41

What do you think this letter will protect our children from?

Hirewiredays · 23/09/2020 00:43

Why don't you just ask for there to be a board with the staff room for those to be except? Usually there's a board with kids faces on that have medical needs so all staff are aware.

Your letter is ridiculous!

Hirewiredays · 23/09/2020 00:43

Board in the staff room.

MarriedtoDaveGrohl · 23/09/2020 00:45

@Hirewiredays

Board in the staff room.
Pretty sure this will end up on the board in the staff room. Where it will be read at great length on Friday night.
MagpieSong · 23/09/2020 07:18

My son was quite happy to have the letter actually; and asked to hand it in to his form tutor rather than me take it in, so clearly, being a “helicopter parent” isn’t damaging his mental health.

You won’t know if it is. It’s about beliefs and though patterns, and unfortunately if he doesn’t have a genuine need for exemption, you’re fostering unhealthy beliefs around the self and world. My DH had parents who were stupidly protective (couldn’t walk home from school alone, didn’t have to attend school if claimed mild illness) and yet neglectful in basic care (food, heating, hygiene). He was not taught resilience or emotional maturity, but was taught to be self-focused - and it hugely affected him. His parents remain utterly unaware of how much damage they’ve caused. He would have taken in the letter too. It would have reinforced his view that he should be treated with special privilege and not care for others.

DumplingsAndStew · 23/09/2020 07:27

I still can't get over the fact that there's parents out there willing to lie and threaten in order to have their child not wear a mask. One of mine can't wear a mask, though we've tried many different styles and types, and I really, really wish she could.

Marble2302 · 23/09/2020 07:28

Namechange your child needs to stop being a fucking sissy and put a mask on.

CulturallyAppropriatedName · 23/09/2020 07:38

Fucking hell.

My DD found masks severely distressing at first. So she chose her own from the available options. We practised putting it on for a few minutes while she was at home relaxing watching tv. She got less distressed.

She doesn't "like" wearing a mask, but then when she was a toddler she didn't "like" wearing a seatbelt or socks. She needed to get used to wearing them and she needs to get used to wearing this. Last weekend she put one on without complaining for a shopping trip we had to do and wore it the whole time without distress.

Avoidance perpetuates anxiety-based issues. It's obvious.