Keeping your child off school and what to tell them

[dreamm]

My husband and I have been back and forward all weekend about whether to send our 7 year old to school this week. We've decided to keep them off this week and reassess next weekend.

I've read a lot on here about others making this decision so this doesn't need to be another thread debating this decision as we've made our choice for various reasons.

Now we've decided can anyone help with what we should tell them about why they're not going to school?

you could tell then the truth? that there is a global pandemic and you have decided to self isolate for a while?

Tell them your reasons surely? Not sure what responses you’re expecting to be honest!

We have made the same decision. Told them the truth, that due to family members health it’s better for everyone if they stay at home. Not sure the it’s hit home for the younger one, and oldest is upset but understands our reasons.

I am totally avoiding talking about it with them to be honest because I am frankly terrified. And I don't want to terrify them. I'll be telling the school that they're ill - not Covid-19 related.

I told my 5 year old the truth, he was more upset about not being able to go to soft play at the weekend, he didn't seem to care.

Watching with interest. I think I’ll just make up some lame excuse for a week. I don’t want to get into headaches and discussions around unauthorised absence/council fines.

I told them the truth. And they're delighted Very happy I told them.

Well done

We've emphasized that it is about keeping their friend's great grandparents healthy (sadly they don't have any grandparents / great grandparents) and explained about droplet contamination, as much as a 5 and 6 yr old can understand.

Don’t lie to the school.

Age 7 is a great age to watch newsround to explain it to your kiddo.
Tell school the truth.

I think the schools will be expecting a lot of absences tomorrow and probably hoping for them.

My 7yo is on house arrest (I'm not actually isolating her in the house because I'm not comfortable with that!) this week as she has a cough.

I've explained that there is a virus which is making lots of people very poorly and to be safe she's staying at home as some people could get very sick even though she feels ok.

They watch newsround at school and enjoy it so will be watching it with them.

Some well meaning relatives advised me to tell the school they're ill. I supposed I'm worried about the implications of unauthorised absences? We're in Scotland so no fines but still have the possibility of prosecution!

I highly doubt anyone is going to be prosecuted for taking their kids out of school in the middle of a global pandemic.

@dreamm we are in Scotland and have taken the kids out for various reasons over the years and told the school why, we've never been prosecuted our even questioned.

It's my understanding this only happens if it's persistent without reason or contact - I think a pandemic is a pretty good reason and i'd imagine that many schools will have missing pupils!

I'll tell them the reason why tomorrow when I call. I'm sure we won't be the only ones!