We have decided....

[whodunit3]

We have just had a family meeting and made the decision, the children will be kept off from tomorrow

Youngest has a chesty cough so wouldn’t be going in anyway but the other two will also be off for the foreseeable future (two primary and one secondary)

We live in an area where parents and grandparents are older, I have 0 confidence that BOJO, government informants or any scientist in the world really knows how this new virus works and I’m scared!

I read today that the reason behind lots of parents stopping doing what they though was right for their children was fear of judgment, doing the wrong thing, or more importantly doing (for you) the right thing.

I just wanted to share, that we are standing up and doing what feel right for us, do what’s right for you.

Much boy isn’t at school and won’t be for a while I’m happy I’m a stay at home mum my boyfriend works but he’s working alone at the moment, my son on a drug that makes his immune system Lower, why risk it if you don’t have to, we won’t be going shopping or play area or parks we Willa stay at home and play in the garden. Good luck op

The weird thing is MNers used to be big proponents of family meetings. They're regularly recommended in parenting advice. So either posters are deliberately being idiots or yet again we're being inundated with new members.

Yet again being inundated with new members? Do you think new members shouldn't have an opinion? Are they invading your little cliquey space? Ffs

FWIW I've been here years, thanks anyway.

Alice02132354 Male fertility is being affected by corona virus and some people have long term lung damage. Read the science.

But don't panic it is only like having a mild cold.

alloutoffucks for you maybe. Not for my DH. It could kill him.

@prednol I am sorry, I was being sarcastic.

PickwickThePlockingDodo Mon 16-Mar-20 13:15:24
The weird thing is MNers used to be big proponents of family meetings. They're regularly recommended in parenting advice.
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Very sensible too. I know people in real life who have them, it's quite normal and in the op's case, I would have thought essential because her children are old enough to understand and have opinions.

beebyjeeby Mon 16-Mar-20 11:48:17
Unfortunately the most vulnerable including the elderly are the least likely to comply to a lockdown.
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Are you sure about that? I don't think you can generalise, some will and some won't, same as any other group.

CorianderLord Mon 16-Mar-20 11:10:08
I think a lot of people are picking at OP because they don't have the same options. Lots of parents would lose their jobs if they suddenly had to stay home for weeks because they voluntarily pulled their kids from school
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I believe you are right about that. It's such a shame when resentment raises its ugly head and does absolutely no good.

There will always be people who are better off, better placed and able to do things others can't do, that's life, just accept it and don't snipe at them for it. There often comes a time when the snipers are in a better position than they are now too and people will be jealous of them.

tonglong Mon 16-Mar-20 09:45:09
Imagine isolating for 16+ weeks to then catch it anyway and only be ill for 4 days.
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I imagine I'd feel very glad to only be ill for four days.
Nothing is foolproof, we can only do our best.

The op just wanted to share and encourage, has not deserved the negativity from some people. Such attitudes will discourage others from sharing which would be a shame because sometimes it can be quite helpful.

I'm keeping my special needs son at home. He had heart surgery as a baby and is prone to chest infections. He was very seriously ill during the swine flu outbreak 10 years ago and was not back to full health for many months. My husband and I are lucky enough to be able to work around this as we already both work part time.

I say lucky enough - we have to work reduced hours as my son is too old for a childminder and already one of us needs to be there for him after school and during school holidays

@Lynda07 I think the op said the below

Unfortunately the most vulnerable including the elderly are the least likely to comply to a lockdown.

I believe you are right about that. It's such a shame when resentment raises its ugly head and does absolutely no good.

DH is wfh completely from tmw. I'm p/t & can also wfh. I'm recognise we are in a fortunate position but currently have the dc in school like the vast majority of parents at their school.

However I also recognise that plenty of emergency service & NHS staff need childcare in order to save other people's lives & maintain order. Im very grateful for this & I'm not sure how helpful it is for them to read posts that if you don't take your kids out of school you're crazy or happy for your kids to get infected or spread infection. Do you think that's helpful?

A very sensible judgement was made in this case, taken by the mother of a child with underlying conditions in NI. Hopefully this will be similar in the rest of UK.

www.itv.com/news/utv/2020-03-16/mum-wont-be-prosecuted-if-child-absent-over-coronavirus/

@Aprilcherry04 I have a SN child, Down Syndrome who had heart surgery, also has asthma, I have been given the option to keep him home from school without consequence, he went to school today, it’s a SN school and their hygiene is top notch, I feel like I’m playing Russian roulette with his life. Am undecided about tomorrow. I don’t know what to do for the best.

beebyjeeby: ... also recognise that plenty of emergency service & NHS staff need childcare in order to save other people's lives & maintain order. Im very grateful for this & I'm not sure how helpful it is for them to read posts that if you don't take your kids out of school you're crazy or happy for your kids to get infected or spread infection. Do you think that's helpful?
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Not at all, people have to make their own minds up and everyone's circumstances are different. Has anyone actually said that though? The op didn't, she made what she felt was the right decision for her and was fortunate enough to be able to do that.

With the lack of proper guidelines a lot of people really don't know what to do!

I'm glad for you anyway. I've been sitting here wondering how I would cope if I was a young working mother - which I was, a long time ago.

maybe read some of the OPs replies.

male fertility is only a theorectical idea at this stage though and it cannot be tested on how children would see this side effects for years

www.bionews.org.uk/page_148559

"We are doing it to flatten the curve, and choosing (and yes I lucky I can choose) not to mix them into a busy germ pool and then happily let them spread it around the elderly and vulnerable."

"Do you realise the WHO is pleading for them to rethink and disagrees entirely?!"

"Good on ya, you listen to your one crazy scientist that one one in the world agrees with..."
"Good luck...I’ve a feeling you’re going to need it."

" I won’t add my children’s germs into the mix when I have the option not to do so"

School is very limited form of childcare for anyone who works, especially in a medical profession because it often involves shift work.

Spain has closed schools and managed to find a way for medics to go to work. In this scenario the Government would have to find a way to allow medics to do their jobs.

I can't get childcare generally because I have a disabled child. The only job I found I could was as a teaching assistant and even then it's part time and dh has to wfh 2 days a week!

As of this morning that's exactly the position we are in. Neither of us SAHP, both losing 2 weeks of wages because people did not self-isolate when they should have. OP you're being sensible

So tired of reading people's shitty attitude responses on here.

I hope they close schools ASAP!

Well they’ve started closing some of the schools here, without waiting for the government to act. My wee girl’s college is closing this week too. Thank fuck those in charge of schools are interested in protecting our children.