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Original poster

We have decided....

352 replies

whodunit3 · 15/03/2020 22:48

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.

OP posts:
NotALurker2 · 16/03/2020 01:35

What's wrong with having a family meeting? We had a family meeting. I told my kids what to do if I got sick, and what to do if I died. I think that's sensible.

SallyLovesCheese · 16/03/2020 02:03

Good idea to keep them off. I just hope any parents who do, genuinely isolate their kids and don't take them out and about.

Sadly, I know some parents at my school who will keep their children off then allow them to go out to play parks and shops and restaurants all day, coming into contact with lots of potentially vulnerable people they wouldn't meet if they were at school.

Some people just don't understand that self-isolate means not going anywhere Sad

Lynda07 · 16/03/2020 02:11

You've made the right decision, whodunit. In your place I'd have done the same. I also think you were correct to discuss with your children, they aren't babies and are entitled to have a say. I don't get the piss taking about having a family meeting, it's plain nasty.

Pay no attention to resentful people who feel you are somehow privileged by being able to stay at home. There's no room for such ungracious feelings when a killer epidemic is in our midst. Anyone would think it's going to be 'fun' confined to base with three children.

By isolating you are unlikely to be spreading the disease, thank goodness for that! It definitely is the right decision for you;
the way things are going, most people will have to isolate themselves before long and schools will close.

janeskettle · 16/03/2020 02:20

Good on you, OP.

When government won't step in to protect vulnerable people, families have to do their best and make their own decisions in the best interests of their members.

Khan Academy is good for keeping up with work for older child, maths for younger, and it's free!

Do Yoga with Me has free yoga videos for indoor exercise.

Lynda07 · 16/03/2020 03:03

fishandsnails Sun 15-Mar-20 23:10:30
A family meeting 😂
......
Yes, that's what the op said. There was no need to repeat it with that silly emoji. She was very sensible.

MooseBeTimeForSummer · 16/03/2020 03:32

No cases in my city. The nearest are 270 miles away. However, with 17 new cases in the province (Alberta, Canada) in the last 24 hours (total 59) and some of those understood to be community spread and not travel related, all schools and day cares in the province were closed today indefinitely.

TwelveIslands · 16/03/2020 03:35

I don't even have a family and I think family meetings are a sensible thing to have.

youkiddingme · 16/03/2020 04:29

I have seen these from other countries recently

Italy trying to send out a message for courage

Sicillians trying to cheer each other up while social distancing

Madrid showing solidarity with healthcare workers

twitter.com/LauMia10/status/1238938537233461248

And Brits fighting in the aisles in supermarkets over bog roll and sarcastically criticising the choices others make on mumsnet.

dozywozy · 16/03/2020 06:29

Get a sense of perspective @dozywozy* @ohnononononon*

I have got a sense of perspective hence why I thought the ops post was a little dramatic. Great she has made a decision for her family but one some people can't eg a shite ton of NHS workers who need childcare to work to save our lives. Not everyone thinks that schools should close, about vulnerable children? It doesn't mean we are stupid or don't have young children or don't know any older people.

So much for all the Be Kind stuff. As with most of these things it only ever works one way.

Butterwhy · 16/03/2020 06:45

Good for you, if people can and want to then they should. As DH is miliary and will likely be part of the task force to help and I work for the NHS we would probably still go in if DS was of school age. If you can though the luxury of choice is a nice thing to have.

something2say · 16/03/2020 06:50

The going to work traffic is very quiet here, not like usual.

I'm going to work as I'm a support worker but otherwise we are staying at home.

My view is, the world is a changing place right now and we must respond, and all pull together. Never before have I seen news from so many countries. We are one world and this virus has made us realise that.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 16/03/2020 06:54

Good for you OP.

I'm a single mum who needs to go out to work or the rent won't get paid. I'm sending DS in as long as school is open as I have no choice. But I think if parents who can and want to take their kids out, it's a great idea and will probably take a bit of pressure off teachers if there are less children at school.

Original poster
whodunit3 · 16/03/2020 06:56

I think people some people has misplaced my commitment and level of planning to self isolate my children for that of dramatics or some kind of the over the top boast.

Yes I’m lucky I can make this option, but that not to say I have made the decision lightly. Do you think I want to take my 3 children out of their education, my middle daughter has just been given a place at a good grammar school she and is one foot out the door anyway, she was my least worry however my youngest has behavioural issues and the change of routine will majorly impact that. My eldest broke her heart as she loves school and doesn’t want to be taken away from her friends.

We live rurally but we have talked that this will likely have an impact on their friends, clubs, social lives, we are not just one foot in we intend to do it properly!

Surely no one would make this decision without speaking to those involved first, that would be madness!

Regardless I see it as a very temporary measure for them as opposed to those that are vulnerable and are (rightly so) scared for their life!

OP posts:
Dongdingdong · 16/03/2020 07:01

A family meeting? Move over COBRA

Grin
LightAsTheBreeze · 16/03/2020 07:03

You will be keeping them at home won't you, not taking them out or letting them go out, a lot of vulnerable people are about when children are meant to be in school

janeskettle · 16/03/2020 07:04

I'm appreciative, working in a school, of parents who are able to flatten the curve by removing children from school.

One or two less children to be asymptomatic spreaders of the disease to other vulnerable children and staff.

TheGirlFromStoryville · 16/03/2020 07:05

I think you've made the right choice OP.
These are unprecedented times we're living in atm, and we can only do what we feel is best for our families and the wider community.

I'm keeping Ds off school from today - he's self isolating (so it's marked as an authorised absence.) He knows he isn't allowed out. I'm a SAHM so luckily no cc worries.

Good luck to one and all.

Butterwhy · 16/03/2020 07:14

my middle daughter has just been given a place at a good grammar school she and is one foot out the door anyway, she was my least worry however my youngest has behavioural issues and the change of routine will majorly impact that. My eldest broke her heart as she loves school and doesn’t want to be taken away from her friends

That's really sad. It could be a very long few months.

MysweetAudrina · 16/03/2020 07:19

Fair play @whodunit3 all our schools are closed and most people here are managing to keep their kids off the streets and away from others.

I am wfh, as agreed with my office on Thusday but dh is going into work.

Not sure why posters are taking the piss out of a family meeting. It's not like someone was taking and recording minutes it just means you discussed it openly with your family.

To those who say they are happy to follow the scientific advice been given you do realise it is differing advice to what the WHO is recommending and the only other Country that seems to be following similar advice is China.

It doesn't even make sense. Herd immunity is achieved by vaccinating your population and you need at least 90% to achieve it. How is the UK flattening in the curve? It isn't, it is speeding up the curve and your NHS is not going to be able to cope with a fraction of the serious cases. Look at Italy. What are you doing to prevent something similar happening? They acted sooner than the UK. Wake up to the fact that your Tory Government doesn't give a fuck about you and start thinking for yourselves or at least read up on what is happening in other Countries and demand your Government offer you the same protections.

thepeopleversuswork · 16/03/2020 07:22

Fucking hell all these people being snidey at scared people. Aren't you all big and fucking funny because you've made a not particularly original put-down to someone for having a family meeting. What a fucking comedian you are.

I appreciate that some people don't have the luxury of being able to wfh. That doesn't give you the excuse for tearing down those who do.

Have a fucking word with yourselves.

Roselilly36 · 16/03/2020 07:27

You need to do, what you think is right for your family OP. No one with any sense will blame you for that. Good luck.

LynnSchmob · 16/03/2020 07:28

We did not hold a family meeting as I am the on high dictator who is sending the DCs to school today.

Original poster
whodunit3 · 16/03/2020 07:30

@LynnSchmob

Good for you!

OP posts:
marble11 · 16/03/2020 07:32

The only people I know taking their kids out of school are unemployed so it makes no difference to them.

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