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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Grandparents day at school as flu season kicks off

92 replies

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:00

It was grandparents day at primary school last week and all the grandparents that could come were invited into school for a celebration.

Right at the start of flu season & just as covid cases were rising.

Aibu to think it’s a teensy bit irresponsible to invite elderly and vulnerable people into the germ pit that is a school in autumn?! 🫣🤦‍♀️

Both my kids have been off with terrible colds this last 2 week’

OP posts:
00100001 · 08/10/2023 08:24

ilovesooty · 08/10/2023 08:23

I assume that is a joke.

Show quote history

Of course it is

Simonjt · 08/10/2023 08:24

OP, are your own children banned from seeing their grandchildren from October to March? Or is it just other grandparents you want to protect from covid and flu?

Lots of school staff are grandparents, should they get paid leave?!

00100001 · 08/10/2023 08:24

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:23

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g yes I hear what you are saying re loneliness.

However the school bangs on about attendance every day - it’s a massive issue- so I still think it was daft. Do it in the summer when everyone is well & it Dan be outside. Not when half the school is off sick!!!

They'll do it whenever suits them....

Original poster
Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:25

But why now?

why not invite them in July?!

It’s not the grandparents in school I am complaining about- it’s the bloody timing!!!

OP posts:
notahappybunny7 · 08/10/2023 08:25

Your kids have been off with colds??? You sound like a very weak individual.

mynameiscalypso · 08/10/2023 08:26

I'm pretty sure my mum - my DS' grandma - would take offence at being called elderly and vulnerable. Not that she'd be able to attend though as she and my dad are travelling in Cambodia and Vietnam at the moment.

Original poster
Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:26

@notahappybunny7 why does everything on mumsnet at the moment seem to turn into a fucking personal attack?

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 08/10/2023 08:26

Loads of grandparents volunteer at my kid's school and go in to read with the children. They aren't frail people with zimmer frames, they are fit and healthy 60 somethings in the main. Yab ridiculous.

caban · 08/10/2023 08:27

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:25

But why now?

why not invite them in July?!

It’s not the grandparents in school I am complaining about- it’s the bloody timing!!!

Because grandparents day is in October?

Will you also be complaining about everyone being invited to the Nativity in December? They should do it in June!

Simonjt · 08/10/2023 08:27

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:25

But why now?

why not invite them in July?!

It’s not the grandparents in school I am complaining about- it’s the bloody timing!!!

Because grandparents day isn’t in July, would you expect them to celebrate mothers and fathers day months after the actual date?

Passepartoute · 08/10/2023 08:29

Any vulnerable grandparent or grandparent over 65 has probably been vaccinated for both flu and Covid.

KickHimInTheCrotch · 08/10/2023 08:29

If we had such an event at our school and she lived nearer my DSs great grandma would have turned up on her mobility scooter. She's 93 and still likes going out and about.

VisionsOfSplendour · 08/10/2023 08:29

I'm not a grandparent but am old enough to be one and the idea that I need protecting from colds is utterly ridiculous

Are you still easing your shopping?

00100001 · 08/10/2023 08:30

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:25

But why now?

why not invite them in July?!

It’s not the grandparents in school I am complaining about- it’s the bloody timing!!!

Because that's when Grandparents day is....

And even if it wasn't it's still up to the school to decide the best date to host this event.

ilovesooty · 08/10/2023 08:30

caban · 08/10/2023 08:27

Because grandparents day is in October?

Will you also be complaining about everyone being invited to the Nativity in December? They should do it in June!

Show quote history

They could swap it with sports day. After all, that's outside so they could have that in December. 😉

Passepartoute · 08/10/2023 08:30

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:23

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g yes I hear what you are saying re loneliness.

However the school bangs on about attendance every day - it’s a massive issue- so I still think it was daft. Do it in the summer when everyone is well & it Dan be outside. Not when half the school is off sick!!!

I'm struggling to see the connection with attendance? it's not as if having grandparents in increases the likelihood of children becoming unwell.

caban · 08/10/2023 08:31

When all these frail old grandparents aren't visiting schools, they're going to work, the pub, the supermarket, to the theatre, hospital, on cruises etc - life is full of germ ridden venues, you can't keep everyone aged 60+ at home from October to March.

GreenWheat · 08/10/2023 08:31

Oh FFS, schools can't do anything without people like you moaning. Don't go if you don't want to, and let everyone else have a nice time at the event.

Maxus · 08/10/2023 08:33

I am 50, I'm not a grandparent. But I am the same age as lots of grandparents. I am a mum to school age kids. Should I also avoid school as well, or is this only for actual grandparents even through we are the same age?

Cockerdileteeth · 08/10/2023 08:34

My DS is in upper primary. Two of his grandparents are 80+, one 70+, the other is dead. We had our children in our 30s, in my case and my DMs case after fertility problems. We're really not that unusual, or that ancient.

I'm grateful our school doesn't hold grandparents' days or any other events inviting a specific family member. They do hold lots of events throughout the year inviting families into school, but don't dictate which adult attends. So as long as someone attends for the child, absences aren't so obvious (and pressure on a particular individual to attend a particular event so the child has someone there, is less).

I think that's kinder and more inclusive.

notahappybunny7 · 08/10/2023 08:37

Pleidiolwyfimgwlad73 · 08/10/2023 08:26

@notahappybunny7 why does everything on mumsnet at the moment seem to turn into a fucking personal attack?

Get a grip. Really.

Dontcallmescarface · 08/10/2023 08:48

Is it just grandparents that you have a problem with regarding adults mixing with children or does it also include all indoor activities where anyone over the age of 40 comes into contact with more than 1 child? Asking for a friend.

Unusualactualname · 08/10/2023 08:51

I'm a granny. I'd rather risk covid and go to an event like this than not.

Malarandras · 08/10/2023 08:56

So because someone is a grandparent they are elderly and vulnerable? I will be sure to tell my parents that. They will be thrilled.

Justcallmebebes · 08/10/2023 09:02

Malarandras · 08/10/2023 08:56

So because someone is a grandparent they are elderly and vulnerable? I will be sure to tell my parents that. They will be thrilled.

Exactly. I'm 57 and have several grandchildren, work full time and have a very active life. I find it a tad patronising to be described as vulnerable and needing protecting from catching a cold

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