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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you're in the area that will be 38-40 on Monday and Tuesday, are you considering keeping your kids off school?

65 replies

MisterMist · 14/07/2022 19:59

YANBU - I'm thinking of keeping them off, it's a health risk going to school.
YABU - They'll be fine going to school.

OP posts:
dandelionthistle · 14/07/2022 22:15

I've voted YABU in line with the options you've given, but - to be clear - I think it's entirely reasonable for parents who are able to to choose to keep their children off at those temperatures. I would consider it myself if I wasn't working.

However. I'm working, I'm a single parent to a nursery aged child and a primary school child who can't stop talking. Home is probably slightly cooler than school, but they will overall be better off at school/nursery having their last few days of term, than being parked in front of screens and ignored while I do the work which cannot wait or be delegated or squeezed into half the time.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 14/07/2022 22:16

They’d be bored to tears at home with me working away at the computer. Just feel that school has to be got on with, especially after they’ve missed so much in the past years.

Im sure they’ll make sure they drink plenty of water etc

justasking111 · 14/07/2022 22:17

Shoopitypoop · 14/07/2022 20:23

They've predicted 37 for us in NE Wales.

Bring on the thunderstorms!

Show quote history

Just seen thunderstorms on Wednesday for n Wales a real drenching too

DistantInDubai · 14/07/2022 22:17

Definitely keeping them off !!!

Yes it would be the same temperature at school or home BUT by staying at home you’re using less energy so staying cooler, can have curtains shut, fans on, ice lollies, baths or showers etc and just take the day at a slower pace

DistantInDubai · 14/07/2022 22:18

No school run - that’s the main thing really even if we lived a few doors away going out at that time of day will be too hot

Wigeon · 14/07/2022 22:18

BBC weather is saying highs of 38 both days where we are.

DD1’s secondary school has just announced school is shut to everyone but key worker/vulnerable children and it’s remote learning on Monday and Tuesday.

DD2’s primary school haven’t said anything (yet?) and it’s her play on Monday afternoon in a very small school hall…

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 14/07/2022 22:19

I also wouldn’t think others were wrong for making a different decision, if they can supervise and play with/ spend some time with the kids (depending on age), maybe do some reading or educational stuff.

Kant · 14/07/2022 22:19

We home ed. We'll be cracking on as normal, with paddling pool and ice lolly breaks.

justasking111 · 14/07/2022 22:20

Sunflowers2047 · 14/07/2022 22:14

Do you realise that kids in very hot countries go to school every day? Kids today are wrapped up in cotton wool.

They used to start early and finish early in northern Spain going back 40 years because of the heat

coffeecupsandfairylights · 14/07/2022 22:21

Sunflowers2047 · 14/07/2022 22:14

Do you realise that kids in very hot countries go to school every day? Kids today are wrapped up in cotton wool.

Most hot countries have already broken up for the summer holidays by now.

Also, many schools in hot countries start lessons at 7am and finish at 11.30am so children are at home during the hottest part of the day. Workplaces and shops also close in the afternoons and then re-open early evening when it's cooler.

So yes, they do continue as normal but their normal isn't the same as ours!

SpiderinaWingMirror · 14/07/2022 22:27

We had an email from the headteacher (Secondary) that they can wear PE kit next week. As the uniform is a blazer made of blue polyester, shirt and tie, I should think so!

pimlicoanna · 14/07/2022 22:28

They will be at school if it's open. The only thing I'm not keen on is dong the school pick up at 3pm in that heat.

BluePassportsAreBollocks · 14/07/2022 22:30

Mine are off now, but we’re booked into an all day outdoor multi sports camp. I’ve cancelled that as I don’t think there will be enough shade / rest / water. If they were still at school I would send them in.

Beachbabe1 · 14/07/2022 22:32

I wfh and will be keeping my 7 year old home. This heat is too draining for them.

TheLostNights · 14/07/2022 22:32

We are in London which veers between an estimation of 35C to 37C. My kids will not be going to school. Both have been very ill in the heat and not even hit what it is going to get to. I honestly just want it over with. We do all the right things but our house is still a sweatbox. Absolutely horrific.

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 14/07/2022 22:36

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/07/2022 20:20

Do you have a/c in your house?

No, but it is really cool downstairs and one of mine said the radiators were still on last week in one of the buildings at school. So probably depends from person to person whether school or home is cooler. Mine are old enough though to advocate for themselves so will be going in.

schrev123 · 14/07/2022 22:41

Our school is shutting & doing online lessons!

tillyandmilly · 14/07/2022 22:42

My kids broke up 29 June 😊

JanuaryFebruaryMarch · 14/07/2022 22:43

I think mine will be off.

School is a furnace, south facing and lots of glass.

All the people saying other countries regularly have these temperatures and children cope/go to school, they are used to it. Here we aren't and my dcs school is a prime example. Very hot building and no shade at all.

Luckingfovely · 14/07/2022 22:58

I hate this stupid response @Sunflowers2047 - there's always someone that says, hotter countries manage it, why can't we?

Well - for the hard of thinking - hotter countries have buildings, transport systems, term times, school day times, and cultures that are built around living with their normal heat.

This country is not used to extremes of weather, and the vast majority of school buildings here are simply not appropriate for this unusual level of heat.

So yes, it is different.

XelaM · 14/07/2022 23:04

Ww'll be going to the beach 😛 My daughter has been off since last week.

Original poster
MisterMist · 14/07/2022 23:04

It's now saying 40 in Chiswick, west London for Tuesday, on BBC weather forecast

If you're in the area that will be 38-40 on Monday and Tuesday, are you considering keeping your kids off school?
OP posts:
Silverbirch2 · 14/07/2022 23:09

Definitely cooler at home especially with paddling pool and ice lollies but unfortunately I have to go in so they have to go in. My school has a wall of windows, no blinds, no ac, no shade in playground, the kids were lying on the floor and we were literally spraying them with water constantly when it was hot (SEND school) fun few days ! At least end of term but lots of activities cancelled and no work will be done. My dc have said they've been told no work next week , so others are staying off and playing in the pool, my dc are v jealous!

bluetongue · 14/07/2022 23:14

I went to an Australian primary school with no air conditioning (it may have had fans). I have memories of sticking to the classroom chairs and it being so hit in the classrooms that the teacher had us lay in the floor with damp wash cloths on our foreheads. Then there were the awful nosebleeds I got from the heat.

It wouldn’t be an over reaction at all to keep a child home from school in the YK in those temperatures.

Tigofigo · 14/07/2022 23:15

My DC are already complaining about their hot classrooms and it's only been 26/27 so far. Next week it's set to be up to 37 here.

Parts of our house are quite cool, but no idea how I'll keep them entertained all day if they are stuck at home, and I have to work. Our garden is not shaded for most of the day.