School dilemma

[MiaMc]

DH and I are both key workers. Most of the time he needs to go work as his job is very limited in what can be done from home, whereas I can work from home most of the time but still need to be in the office one day per week.
This being the case DS has a place at school for that one day, however the school contacted me to say that the place is available for the full week and they were encouraging us to maximise that opportunity. It felt like they were persuading me to send him in for the full week regardless of the fact that I will be working from home.

Homeschooling has been really hard which I know is the case for anyone trying to do a full time job from home whether that is in a key worker role or not. We aren’t keeping up with all the work and DS (10) needs a lot of help with most of it, which is just impossible.

I can’t decide what would be the right thing to do. I’m torn between feeling a sense of moral duty to keep DS at home when he can be at home, and sending him to school because that is probably what’s best for him.

What would you do?

YANBU = take up the school’s offer of more days
YABU = continue to keep him at home when you can

I would send my child to school and pray on my knees in thanks that that opportunity has been made available to me.

I think it is pretty clear that dc are meant to be at home if they can be. Not fair to increase the risk to teachers and other students if there is any way the dc can be at home.

No choice really - send your child to school. Many parents would kill for the opportunity,

Being honest do you think your son is struggling more than other children. Most schools are trying to limit the number of children in so assume they have noticed that your son is really struggling

If they know fully your circumstances and still offer it then take it if you want to. I've had too many scrapes with school corona cases and seeing people just before then fell sick with corona to risk it personally, it depends on your fears I guess

Mine go in one day a week when I'm on duty at work (teacher). The rest of the time we struggle at home. Yes, I could send them in full time. But why would I increase everyone's risk? My household unfortunately has to be out of the home for work which increase our risk and therefore those of the contacts of the children and teachers at my DCs' school. Most of those others there at the school are doing the same. Personally, I'd send them the one day unless your circumstances change

We’re in this position and DSs (4 and 8) are in. School are in full possession of the facts and if they decide we no longer have priority we will find other childcare as my workplace aren’t using the furlough scheme and DH is a teacher. Until then I am grateful they think we’re high enough up the list.

@justanotherneighinparadise

I would send my child to school and pray on my knees in thanks that that opportunity has been made available to me.

Same here. Send them to school.

I personally wouldn’t-school bubbles are bursting frequently and I would rather not have that increased risk. I want them home and safe at the moment and would only send them in when I had to.

Your call though. Is your child really struggling?

@Stompythedinosaur

I think it is pretty clear that dc are meant to be at home if they can be. Not fair to increase the risk to teachers and other students if there is any way the dc can be at home.

I tend to agree but as I’ve explained the school are practically persuading me to send him in. Other parents are saying they would jump at the opportunity. I was resigned to using only the one day per week we absolutely need until the school presented me with this dilemma.

I’m trying to ignore the fact that other parents have their kids in full time despite being able to work from home some of the time too.

I dont blame you for considering it,but dont you think there are many people in the same position? This shows how unfair the system is. Many people are struggling and have children who need help. But because your job appears on a list then you get offered a place in school. You're clearly not a frontline medic so why the need for a school place over someone else with an office based job? The list of 'key' workers is nonsense.

I would take this opportunity especially as you have mentioned that you both struggle with home education.
It may help your DS as settings are obviously different than those at home and it will be rest stressful for you knowing that he receives help.
I would love to send mine if I would have a chance as we do struggle a lot with home learning as well.
Good luck.

This thread is depressing. We are going to be in lockdown forever as so many people aren't choosing to stick to the rules.

Mine are in. I'm a teacher wfh apart from occasional days in school. I had them both home on one day last week and all 3 of us struggled to achieve much. I'm required to liveteach all through the day. I really don't get the argument that we should all equally suffer to make it fair. If the school are OK to have them, send them.

Have you considered not the full week but say a second day? A full week means more children will be in contact with other children whereas assuming there are others going in only one or two days per week will reduce the class size by comparison.

I would not send in for the full week.

Send him in and be thankful. It clearly suits the school or they think it will suit him. And you’ll be able to do your job more effectively.

I'd say the same few kids going in for a full week is better than "pro-rataing the places as then that introduces more families into the class bubbles.