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Original poster

WWYD? I’m a SAHM - should I keep my kids off school?

61 replies

CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 22:40

Just that really and recognise we are privileged and this isn’t possible for everyone.

I’m happy to send them if necessary while schools stay open but my understanding is that the reason the Government wants schools to stay open is so that key workers can keep going to work. We are luckily not in that position and I’m starting to wonder if it would be more responsible for all of us who can do to withdraw our kids from school- this would reduce the risk to teachers too. DH thinks I should leave them to go to school.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Dramalamaindeed · 17/03/2020 22:42

I’m in the same position.

I took them out on Monday. Already driving me insane.

Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 22:46

Thanks @Dramalamaindeed is your school still open? Did you lie or tell them the truth? Loads of teachers are already off sick so lots of supply teachers. I just feel really guilty about sending them in when they don’t need to be there for childcare - just Hmm for their education.

OP posts:
Doje · 17/03/2020 22:50

I work two days, so have considered this.

The risk is low for the kids, and for me and DH. We're both WFH for now, so won't be going out much and therefore won't spread the virus any further. Taking this into account, I feel the DC benefit more from the routine of school. My eldest got quite emotional at the weekend, I think because DH and I talked a lot (a lot, a lot) about the news openly and it upset him. I don't think he fully knows what's going on, but he knows something is going on. For now, I'm going to try and keep things as normal as possible for them.

Redinthefacegirl · 17/03/2020 22:52

We pulled ours out today.
Both frontline healthcare workers but we work opposite shifts so one of us can be around for them anyway. School hrs don't cover our shifts and we wouldnt want 14hrs of childcare.

My reasoning is the DH and I are at risk of getting covid through work, so our family should step back from mixing a bit. School were fine about it. In fact sounded grateful.

MargotB7 · 17/03/2020 22:55

I have a teenager and from today they are staying off. I suffer from anxiety and work is very stressful supporting my boss who is trying to do the best for their employees. I actually can't cope mentally worrying about teenager getting or giving us the virus.

Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 22:56

Thank @Doje sounds like your DC may be younger. Mine are teens and understand what’s happening. And know me well enough to realise I would be homeschooling them and not letting them slack off! For me it’s really about the social responsibility, surely school is not essential contact if I can teach them at home (at least for a few weeks)?

OP posts:
WomanIsTaken · 17/03/2020 22:57

Primary teacher here.
I am teaching two year groups in the same classroom for now on account of CV related staff shortages. Made possible because several children are being kept home by considerate SAHP. So grateful to them.
Our school office is happily taking parents' word for 'new cough and/or fever', no questions asked. We can just about fit the children who are attending in our two year groups into my room, so we do what we can.
If I could keep my own DC off, I'd do it in a heart beat.

Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 22:58

That’s interesting @Redinthefacegirl I did wonder if school would be grateful. It’s just that normally they are soo full on about attendance

OP posts:
Dramalamaindeed · 17/03/2020 22:59

Our school is still open but I said we felt a bit under the weather so we’re staying off for a week just incase.

I’m in Scotland however and they are not as bothered by absenteeism as England is. We don’t get fines etc. So it was an easy decision.

It’s been boring and I do feel bad for them as I know it would be better mentally for them to be at school. But I’d rather if we get the virus we wait until after the peak as I worry we wouldn’t get a bed or treatment right now/ in the next month or 2 so I’m taking all reasonable measures to isolate ourselves.

I have a 3 year old & 8 year old. I’m trying to still give them the structure of getting up, ready, setting some work up for the 8 year old, drawing/playing with the 3 year old. Then break they can watch tv and I do housework then we sit down again and do an activity or game then lunch then some more time.

So it’s not a holiday and I’m struggling mentally a bit but I’ve found myself enjoying it In a way strangely. My 3 year old has been adorable and I’ve missed that a lot with her being at nursery.

The 8 year old is...... challenging but Also he’s surprised me with how well he’s been around his sister.

They both are aware of the virus and my 3 year old will say “let’s wash hands now to get rid of the caronavirus”. My 8 year old doesn’t seem to care as I told him it isn’t severe for children.

Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 23:00

@MargotB7 Flowers for anxiety

OP posts:
Ozziewozzie · 17/03/2020 23:00

Mine are off too but school still open. I also strap my 2 to old in the pushchair as opposed to her walking with me. I realise she’ll be fine but I worry that she’ll touch everything and spread it around for more people to get ill. My god I think I’m developing OCD from all this!!

Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 23:03

Oh wow @WomanIsTaken that’s what I was thinking! Although I don’t think things are that drastic where my kids are. Going to have to chat with DH again.

Great name by the way Wink

OP posts:
Aloe6 · 17/03/2020 23:04

If you can keep them off, I would. It will help in many ways - e.g. minimising the risk of your children catching and/or passing it on, creating smaller class sizes to help with staff shortages.

7Days · 17/03/2020 23:09

You should keep them off, since you are in a position to do so.
The less people circulating around, the better.

CakeandCoffeeQueen · 17/03/2020 23:09

I’m in the same position & have primarily school aged kids. We are self isolating as one came down with a cough at the weekend, if that hadn’t happened I think I would have kept them off anyway. I’m just working out how best to keep them learning and stopping myself from going nuts!

confusednortherner · 17/03/2020 23:12

If I could I would but work in school and already short of staff. Yes we'd be grateful and would think most others would be too as two classes in a room really isn't fun!

isittheholidaysyet · 17/03/2020 23:17

I was wondering that.

My youngest Dc (year 4)has spent the day running round the school field and watching a film with year 1.

She might as well be at home. If it's just going to be childcare. We don't need school for childcare. She is behind in maths and English, and I already home ed some of her siblings. We could be doing useful stuff at home.

Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 23:23

Thanks everyone- this is really helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
CaptainCaveMum · 17/03/2020 23:24

Does anyone think I shouldn’t keep them off?

OP posts:
DCIRozHuntley · 17/03/2020 23:25

I'm also a SAHM with DC in school. I'm keeping them going in for now as I think it's the right thing to do. As a family we are fortunate to have no additional risk factors so I'm ok with them / us getting it. Undecided about sending DD3, who is 4, to nursery tomorrow afternoon. I feel like we've got to take things day by day at the moment.

Thewheelsarefallingoff · 17/03/2020 23:25

I'm keeping mine off from tomorrow. It won't be fun, as I'm working from home. I think it needs to be done by all parents that can.

WichBitchHarpyTerfThatsMe · 17/03/2020 23:28

I've got a 15 year old in Y11, due to start GCSEs shortly. I've been mulling it over, seriously, since Friday and this evening decided to pull her out of school as from tomorrow. It's risky in terms of her education but it seems that many schools are limping along at the moment due to staff illness and will close soon anyway. The Govt will have to make some difficult decisions about all sorts of exams this year. I don't think sending her on 2 buses each way for the next few days (with the risk of infection that exposes her to) is going to benefit her in any real way considering the degree of disruption the CV is inevitably going to cause her and many other young peoples' education.

I'm usually a stickler for her attending school btw, her attendance has always been excellent. I'm also a SAHM which I appreciate makes the decision somewhat easier for me.

The bottom line for me is that the Govt, and many other Govts, currently consider mass gatherings to be too risky, I cannot fathom why attending school is any less of a risk. I do understand the problems that closing schools will create but I have the choice to prioritise her, and our, health and am doing so.

Didiusfalco · 17/03/2020 23:29

I would isolate if I could, but also work in a school and would be so grateful if parents who could kept their children off so the numbers were lower.

theflushedzebra · 17/03/2020 23:30

Keep them off.

Shirazza · 17/03/2020 23:33

I'm a SAHM and I'm pulling mine out tomorrow. This thread has been helpful, so thank you!

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