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Original poster

DD2 has a cough. How do I get DD1 to school?

84 replies

allthesharks · 13/03/2020 05:53

DD2 has woken up with a constant cough. Based on the new guidelines I have to keep her at home for 7 days. Logistically I don't know how to do this. I don't work on a Friday so keeping her home isn't a problem, but her older sister is well and should be at school. I don't have any one else who can take her in to school so my only options are to take DD2 with me to drop off and pick up or to keep DD1 off too. As children, if they do get coronavirus, they're likely to be fine, but I don't know the health conditions of the other children or the parents/grandparents who will be at the school gate. Realistically, I do think DD2 just has a cough and cold.

Logistically, what am I supposed to do?

OP posts:
Bluewater1 · 13/03/2020 06:37

Keep them both off.

whatswithtodaytoday · 13/03/2020 06:37

Keep her off! She's 6, and it seemed sensible for you all to self-isolate and see how things develop anyway. I doubt schools will care too much about sickness records now.

Random18 · 13/03/2020 06:38

Put youngest in a buggy if you still have one. And then use a rain cover?

Or phone school and go a little late. They could take eldest in through the office?

Original poster
allthesharks · 13/03/2020 06:39

Unfortunately I don't have a buggy anymore. I did think that if I still had one that would be a good option.

OP posts:
TaxFool · 13/03/2020 06:40

If you have a DP then they take well child to school?! Or they wait with sick child while you take well child to school?

Winifredgoose · 13/03/2020 06:41

There isnt an absence of official advise. It is to isolate the sick person sick 7 days. If you are unable to work around that in order to get your other child to school(leave in car, neighbour/friend take other child, husband go to work late etc) they will have to both miss school.

Original poster
allthesharks · 13/03/2020 06:42

My DP is a teacher at another school quite a distance away. He couldn't go in to work late. My parents both work on a Friday as well, so I couldn't ask them to help.

OP posts:
TwilightPeace · 13/03/2020 06:45

Just keep her off! She’s 6 and won’t miss anything.

EskiSummerleaze · 13/03/2020 06:46

Actually your DP can go in late if that's the only way you can follow the advice.

ChateauMargaux · 13/03/2020 06:47

The advice is changing daily. Your 3 year old has symptoms and your 6 year old does not need to be at school. Keep them both at home.

TheHomesicknessLanguageBarrier · 13/03/2020 06:48

She's only 6, keep her off! It'd be different if she was going to be missing GCSE input, but at 6 it really doesn't matter. The important thing is that she understands that she isn't getting a random day off (important only because it sets a precedence) but needs to be off to protect people who are already poorly from her little sister's germs.

You can home school her in biology (hygiene and simple explanation of the immune system and transmission of viruses and bacteria, there are age appropriate videos and whole TV series) if your husband is trying to guilt trip you, or if you need something to occupy her.

Scruffyoak · 13/03/2020 06:48

Weve had coughs since October!

I would just keep home as its Friday.

TheHomesicknessLanguageBarrier · 13/03/2020 06:50

*precedent

bellinisurge · 13/03/2020 06:51

Keep her off. If you want to give her something educational to do - a bit of reading aloud (or to herself if she is better with that). Draw a map of a fantasy world and make it as detailed as possible. Or make a comic.

Obviously no substitute for something proper but today is about hunkering down and being comfy.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 13/03/2020 06:54

Keep them both off. Like you say she probably has it too, and she's 6 not 16 and worried about GCSEs...

BreatheAndFocus · 13/03/2020 06:55

Keep her off! It’s not anything to fret about. I don’t get the angst. She’s 6. She won’t miss much, and, to be honest, in the unlikely event your other child did have Coronavirus, I’d be well pissed off at anyone who potentially exposed other people for such a trivial reason.

Keep them both home.

TheoriginalLEM · 13/03/2020 06:56

Look - our prime minister stood there and said people will die. I'd not put too much store in government advice. IF your dd has covid-19 it is likely you will all get it, you will be infectious wuthout symptoms. Stop being ridiculous and self isolate.

Snowy111 · 13/03/2020 06:56

Keep them both off.

If one DD has it, then the other would more than likely be carrying it around school

I’d say ring 111 for advice. but now it’s apparent that uk govt is happy for us all to get it so think we have to learn to protect ourselves!

Children tend to have a milder form anyway.

bumblingbovine49 · 13/03/2020 06:58

And these posts about how you could get your 6 year old into school are indicative of what the government advice/ policy won't work . The deification of school for small children in this country is bonkers . I'd keep them both off for the week and you will have to stay off too unless you can find someone to look after dd2 for you.

I know it is only that person who is supposed to stay off but if that person is a small child it will mean an adult and or siblings might have to stay home as well.

ceeveebee · 13/03/2020 06:59

Different situation but when one of my twins had chickenpox, I drove to school15 mins late and parked in the staff car park so I could drop the other off (having checked with the school first). Is that an option? Otherwise just keep them both off,it’s not like they have GCSES coming up!

Original poster
allthesharks · 13/03/2020 07:00

@TheoriginalLEM the thing is that that's not the official advice and so I can't see schools/employers being overly sympathetic if we all self isolated without symptoms.

I do agree that there's no harm in keeping a 6 year old off school, but my parents and DP are making me feel as though I'm being ridiculous for suggesting it.

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 13/03/2020 07:00

I don't think you should ask anyone else to take her in. Then they are in an awkward position.

It's a good idea to take her later when everything has calmed down but I'd keep,her off if it was me.

Paperdollss · 13/03/2020 07:00

Can you ring the school and explain the situation and ask if she can be met at the gates by someone so you and DD2 don’t have to get out of the car
If you leave a bit earlier I’m sure it shouldn’t be an issue (is there a breakfast club she could attend for the last ten mins)

sorenipples · 13/03/2020 07:04

Isnt the issue here that you have been unable to self isolate DD2 within the family home ( ie keep her 2m away from other family members)?

Not surprising or to be expected at her age. But it does make the government advice less clear with regards to DD1.

bigchris · 13/03/2020 07:05

Everyone on this thread practically has said keep her off

So choose btw mumsnet and your parents and dp Flowers

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