Allow a play date where mum unapologetically supports children’s education tax

[GigglyOrange]

Just this really, our local independent prep school closed due to the education tax earlier this year and has caused absolute chaos for lots of families, including my own. My dd (6) has been invited for a play date with a girl she seems very friendly with and who seems very sweet, but I’ve since found out from another parent that the mum is an ‘unapologetic education taxer’. My instinct is to cancel the play date, AIBU?

If the school closed because of the ‘education tax’ it was already in a very vulnerable state or it was full of children from families with very precarious finances.

Some of the responses are hilarious. Loving this thread 😂

As a secondary school teacher, time and time again I tell kids not to react unless they've heard the person themselves say it.

And yet here you are, questioning whether your 6 year old should go on a play date based on what someone else told you...

Really?

They are 6. Keep the politics out of it. Do you really want to be teaching your daughter she cannot play with people who have different beliefs?

I think you should read the thread again, the school is closed.

Get a grip, your privilege is showing.

Me three

The only immoral thing here is a tiered education system where children get different access to opportunities 🫠 you’re bonkers and this is a sure fire way to make sure your child has no peers!

FWIW my best friend sends her DD’s to an independent school, and whilst she knows I don’t feel the same way she does about it, I appreciate her beautiful children are thriving, and I love them all dearly and we still spend lots of time together talking about Normal things and our children play together beautifully. Because generally your political views unless absolutely OTT and unhinged do not come into general conversation

If you’re going to complain about something at least get your facts right. You’re talking about VAT. You know, the tax that is applied to luxury goods and services.
Aero rate VAT is applied to essentials like supermarket food, books and children’s clothing.
Reduced rate VAT 5% applies to things like children's car seats or home energy.
Standard rate 20% applies to the majority of goods and services. Fee paying schools are not essential, they’re a luxury for most children.

TBH, if I were the other child’s mum I might be reluctant to want my child playing with the child of such an entitled parent. But I actually never minded who my DC played with - and I certainly didn’t prevent them from playing with children whose parents’ politics might have differed from my own.

😆

She won't tell her why. She's going to lie.

You have no idea what most people's opinions are on anything. If you don't allow play dates with children who's parents disagree with you on anything you won't be doing many. Do you send a questionnaire first to decide if they are your type of people or not?

It should always have had VAT on it, and what’s more I believe that tax should go straight into state schools, along with the usual funding (that’s pretty shit)

Going to a state school with be the best thing for your DC, much more diverse and richer experience, and think of all the money you’ll save.
Private schools have done a great job brainwashing their customers about private versus state, it’s how they make their ££££

Unbelievable. Of course YABU

Cancel for sure. You say the girl seems sweet but how could she be in that toxic environment?
You stick with the 3%.

For me, I want my daughter exposed to a range of different views so that we can discuss and talk about them. I don't want my child only to see one side of things, I was always taught to learn as much about the news as possible by reading, listening to and watching a range of sources. Unless they are actually damaging like racism, for example, she won't be harmed by being around those with different ideas and it will help develop her critical thinking skills.

You are toxic. It's immoral to punish a little girl for their parents' mainstream views. It's not like she's a rabid racist or something

I get what you’re saying, but this is children’s education tax we’re talking about. I thinks it’s clear what type of person would support it and isn’t it our job has parents or as a society to try and shield children from those types of people?

My kids are at private school and I teach at one and the whole thing with schools closing makes me sad. HOWEVER, I also agree in an ideal world private schools shouldn’t exist. Some of my friends & family are left wing and agree with the VAT/don’t agree with private schools. That’s fine, I respect that and they respect me and we just don’t really talk about it. It’s being an adult. I think the world would be better if we mixed more with others with different opinions, listened to and reflected on their views.

You might need a lie down op. I get taxed on my employee Bupa benefit. Because it’s an extra and a choice and I agree with it. The private health people pay vat too shocker !!!!

Is it? What type of person do you believe that to be, just out of interest?

OP do not under any circumstances cancel this play date, this is a golden opportunity to educate the uneducated. Go round this minute and force your views down her working class neck.
I wouldn’t worry too much about being in this situation in the future, likelihood is word will get around what a judgemental and entitled bore you are and nobody will want you around anyhow. Shame for your kids innit

Are you the poster that started another goady thread on this topic that was deleted?

I know - the two laws are nothing alike are they? 20mph limit literally saves lives, mainly children's, while the VAT on fee-paying schools goes some way to levelling the playing field for children in this country. I know which way my morals lie.

I know about "garage,", but how should one pronounce "marriage", please? Do they rhyme?