To resent parents who are still sending their kids to school on Monday

[letmeinthroughyourwindow]

Not the genuine cases, obviously.

But I'm a teacher and we will be opening for the duration because 40% of our pupils have at least one parent who is a keyworker.

Before the list was released, the government told us to expect 10% and we planned accordingly. In fact, we planned for 20%.

When the list was released, it was so broad that far more parents than we ever expected fell into one of the categories.

Now, if your need is genuine then of course I want to care for your child. I'm happy to do it, and proud that doing so keeps you working.

But we have so many parents who are allowed to send their child to school, but shouldn't be, that it's infuriating me.

If you are a keyworker but your partner is a stay-at-home parent should you be sending them in?

If you are a keyworker but your partner works from home or is allowed to work from home indefinitely, should you be sending them in?

My sister's employer is allowing all employees who are parents to work from home on full pay, but many are saying that they don't need to, because their partner is a keyworker so their kids can still go to school

Just because you can send them, doesn't mean you should. It shouldn't be the best or easiest option for you, it should be a last resort if there is nowhere else to keep them safe.

The number one, most critical piece of advice for keyworker parents is, 'if it is at all possible for children to be kept at home then they should be.'

Please don't think I'm lazy and cba babysitting these children. I cried when my class went home yesterday, and care about every child in school. If I am in work full time anyway, then it really doesn't matter how many children are in the classroom.

But so many people don't understand social distancing. They are walking around like they are immortal, or only thinking that they themselves will probably be ok if they get it. For social distancing to have the desired effect, then everyone who can be at home, should be. If there was a chance of your child dying from this, would you send them to school? Well then think about who might die because they came into contact with your child.

And all of this brought on by a friend who called me last night to say that she is thrilled to be able to send her child to school on Monday because she is a deliveroo driver, even though her unemployed bf will be home all day on the PlayStation.

This is the school effectively saying you are so shit at parenting they are better off doing it.

Couldn’t of said it better myself! Learn to parent.

Jesus fucking Christ.

You know what really has a detrimental impact on people’s mental health? Their loved ones dying.

No way could he administer the full home schooling timetable that our DC's two schools require.

Schools requiring full time homeschooling timetables in this scenario are just going to have to fucking lump it. If they're state, it's tough shit and if they're private, they're not going to turn your money away. You are being ridiculous.

I was a bit surprised how long the list of key workers is. Even so you are being unreasonable. Everyone has to do their bit.

I'm guessing you will be doing more fun stuff too with half the class. NHS will be worked into the ground as will essential shops, and the utilities. They will be working day and night for all of us. Who do you think should care for their children? My DDIL is a front line nurse and my son works in power supply. I hope you and yours don't meet DDIL in intensive care. And my son and his colleagues will bust a gut to keep your power on.

The lady on maternity leave mentioned is taking the piss.

And do you really, seriously think her mental health will be helped by an empty school, by being the one weirdo who has to go in while everyone else is off?

I'm a key worker (NHS nurse) and my husband is not, but he can't work from home (civilian contractor to the military). My kids school say they can't go in as both parents need to be key workers. My husband's role is not essential however if he takes time off work it will be unpaid leave. If one of us is going to stay at home to look after the kids it needs to be me, because he earns twice as much as me and we can't pay the mortgage on my salary alone.
So our choice is - look after ourselves, and the NHS loses a nurse, or look after elderly vulnerable patients and potentially lose our house! I work part time at the moment so we are going to manage for the next couple of weeks with friends helping us out, however I fully expect to be needed to work full time soon. I emailed the school to say if they would accept my kids we would only send them in on days when we have no other choice, but they have said no.
How on earth is it that in other areas SAHM's can send their kids in? I don't want to send my kids to school, I would rather they stayed at home but I wanted to have the option in an emergency.

I cant afford to be signed off. My mat leave will then be based on that - I can't afford that.

My son will be the only one with the CM. She was in tears yesterday because she is losing her income. There is no one at risk in her home, she isnt taking him anywhere.

It must be so easy to live in black and white.

I really don’t get why anyone would send their child in if they didn’t need to.

Ds could go in but he isn’t because I don’t need him too.

The more contact people have with others the longer this whole mess will last

It is so easy to judge other people

But yes, DH is a teacher and is surprised how many kids will still come in. He’ll have to go in and work at school 1-2 days a week, and teach his normal schedule from home in other days

He said our own kids qualify, as they are kids of key workers, but they’ll be staying at home and do the same online learning as their peers, as I see no benefit (to them or society) from going in

I have a severely disabled child. Who if he contacts this virus ...will die! He us also severely autistic!
I also have a husband with auto immune disorder.
I have had to listen to parents of SEN children saying they are sending children to school for routine ...just like Egg.
No you are sending them to school because you have always treated school like a creche and you can't cope because the creche is closed!
There will be no routine in school. No normal classes, no transport, no SALT, OT or Physio...... the routine of home would be more suitable for them....you should be getting them used to routine of home because that is where you should be!
I'm sick of seeing the word 'entitled'!

Two of my children aren’t going in but my ds who has Sen, is at a specialist school and who doesn’t cope well with change IS going in. There is absolutely no need for resentment as everyone is just trying to do the best that they can and make the right choices for their family.

My heart goes out to the parents with no other option. It really does.

But seriously, my fifteen year old needs to go in ‘because of her mental health’, I’m a SAHM but my child needs to go in because I can’t parent her, I’m WFH but my child needs to go to nursery because I’m pregnant?

THIS is what will kill people.

Things are changing, san

Yes, it’s shit, but they are changing rapidly.

My toddler goes to a CM. I'm a teacher but pregnant so WFH, but there is no way I can actually do my job and look after him.

So kind of you to put the CM at risk. You can of course work later in the evening when your toddler is in bed (you know, like many teachers do anyway during usual circumstances?!), when they nap, short blocks while they watch cbeebies. You do know you are also increasing the risk to yourself, your toddler and unborn baby by not socially distancing when you can?!

Too much screen time is not ideal for children.... but Covid 19 kills people!

@SanFran19 absolutely.

I'm working so hard to keep everything ok and to be called an embarrassment and to be told I'm talking bollocks by strangers is unbelievably hurtful.

Fuck me.

@StripyHorse how kind of you to read my fucking posts.

Try again then come back to me.

@InDispairThisWeek

Dawn I’m sending my 15 year old in because it could save her life and I will make no apologies for that, it is not always black and white

@DonkeyKong2019

I absolutely will not make any apologies for sending my child in.

Interesting how this same phrase gets used repeatedly by people who really fucking should.

I have read them and I’m still disgusted by you never

YANBU. My DH works for a company that provides IT support to the emergency services, especially to NHS 111 and 999 call centres. It’s vital work really - if a call centre’s computers go down, he can fix them remotely. He can work from home but they’re being very strict about not doing childcare at the same time. The company I work for is being much more flexible, luckily. It would be far far easier for me to work if I could send DC to school but we haven’t even considered it, because we want to protect him and others. And also because I think it’ll be pretty grim for the children in school too.

Sorry OP just re read that you understand genuine cases.

@Dawnofanewmillenium You nasty, rude cow. Where do you get off saying that to me?

@NeverGotMyPuppy

I've also read all of your posts and I agree you are completely in the wrong. Look after your own child ffs

YANBU I'm classed as a key worker and am a lone parent. I feel incredibly guilty that I need to send my DS into school next week. I'd love to be keeping us safe at home instead of risking our health. Some people have absolutely no idea.

Hazel- I know it's tough, but your school is doing the right thing! Take the mortgage holiday that banks are offering- this is a national emergency!

Actually accessorize I wasn’t saying it to you.

I’m saying that’s what the school are effectively saying to you, so I would urge you to treat it with the contempt it deserves, and keep your child off.