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.

"@letmeinthroughyourwindow I just didn’t understand why you were talking about children at risk of dying."

I cba scrolling back but I said something like : would you send your child in if it was them at risk of dying? If not, don't put other people in that position.

This is a really measured article about KWs and the wide definition

It should have been made stricter, two keyworkers or single parent keyworker to qualify. Keyworkers that can WFH should not qualify.
The more people mixing the more people will die.
It doesn't matter if you are a keyworker and you want your partner to keep earning, they need to stop and stay home like other families. People will die.

To all the people saying that their child must stay in school because their dp can't work and babysit, or whatever other spurious reason you've managed to convince yourself is reasonable : make a contingency plan for when the schools collapse, because they will, and it will be in large part because of people like you.

We are not risking our lives so you can protect your DP's peace and quiet, but so that genuine keyworkers - who have nowhere else to send their kids - can keep the country going.

When it falls apart, your busy DP will find that s/he can actually achieve the impossible and care for their child. In fact, they'll be doing it for much longer than if we'd just done it properly now.

VEGAS2016
Schools found out about the closures the same time as everyone else. On Friday morning when you dropped your DC off, staff were planning their goodbyes to some of their students, still providing resources for those self isolating and working from home, and getting ready for a huge shift in working ready for Monday. Even by close of school Friday many staff didn't know what they'd be doing on Monday.

Can you not see asking for details of what's happening on Friday morning at the point when schools were still making plans and getting ready to say goodbye to students might have been a little frustrating?

You're a key worker in the NHS. School is open to your children, so send your child to school on Monday if you need it (which you do). That's what's happening.

His work will give him leeway, but I work 50hrs a week (54hrs every other week) I thought the working time regulations were that your employer can't make you work more than 48 hrs a week?

Couldn't he do the bulk of his work at weekends when you are home? Say ten hours Saturday and Sunday and then he only has 4 hrs a day to fit in during the week, 2 hrs when baby has a nap and then 2 hrs in the evening. Seems perfectly doable.

I'm a key worker but my children are staying home as my husband can WFH.

My kids school, still has 50% in next week. My teacher friends are fuming. They've also been told they're staying open for Easter holidays for key workers!

@ScarlettBlaize

I think you'll find I actually said people without any increased risk of catching CV could always volunteer to help people who are finding it difficult to work for whatever reason. Like the lovely lady on my road who told me just to ask if I needed any help.

Too much judgement on here - people have differing coping abilities for what could be a multitude of reasons. Eg, If I was still with my abusive ex, I'd have been scared to have to work from home and keep the DC's quiet enough/ the house tidy enough for him to not kick off. I certainly would not have advertised the fact though. After that, I would have been too depressed and ill to look after them FT with no let up and maybe try and work as well. Now, I could do it, but instead of trying to judge others for maybe not being able to cope, I would first try to see if I could help.

There are more people on this thread like myself - eligible to send DC's to school but managing not to than there are people saying they will struggle to cope. The people who say they will/ would cope well - good for you. Not everyone can. Try helping before judging.

We are not risking our lives so you can protect your DP's peace and quiet, but so that genuine keyworkers - who have nowhere else to send their kids - can keep the country going.

Yes, this x 100

If you are an employer or a manager, please reassure your staff who are able to work from home that you know they won’t be able to do a full days’ work while caring for or home schooling their children, but that it’s OK. Tell them they should do the best they can in the circumstances and not be afraid to ask for help. Don’t underestimate the anxiety some may be feeling about the weeks ahead.

@todayisnottuesday ScarlettBlaize I think you'll find I actually said people without any increased risk of catching CV could always volunteer to help people who are finding it difficult to work for whatever reason. Like the lovely lady on my road who told me just to ask if I needed any help.

So you think if my husband and daughter weren't asthmatic
, i should be providing childcare for people like @Fullmoon28 ?

The people who say they will/ would cope well - good for you. Not everyone can. Try helping before judging.

I've signed up to a local volunteer network. I spent three hours yesterday delivering flyers to local homes and speaking to people in isolation to offer them help. I spent four hours today shopping for and delivering food to those in need.

This thread, on the other hand, is full of people taking the fucking piss. And your suggestion that these piss takers should get free childcare from the people who are actually making an effort is fucking stupid.

Oh for the love of God at you all 'risking your lives' - I've not heard one of the lovely cleaners where I work say the same, not one shop worker, not one carer going from home to home with people at risk of it - for minimum wage - say the same.

The people who say they will/ would cope well - good for you. Not everyone can. Try helping before judging.

The schools arent open for respite because your struggle to have your kids.

It's there to enable hey workers to keep working. It's there only as a last resort for people who must keep working. Not a convenience for people.

Are all schools expected to take key workers' children as my son and daughter-in-law are both key workers - nurse and carer for elderly and disabled. Family are currently in self-isolation and their daughter's school has now closed with no mention of key worker provision.

Oh, and my husband and I both work,and I missed out on half a day's work yesterday because of distributing leaflets.

Perhaps you should try helping rather than lecturing others?

Why would anyone send their kids to school if there was an option? It's asking for trouble!

So you think if my husband and daughter weren't asthmatic
, i should be providing childcare for people like

No - do what the fuck you like - but my point is why judge when you could help instead? What is the more positive of the two? What will keep the children in those families happier of the two?

Everyone has different coping abilities. Some DC's are easier to look after than others for a multitude of reasons. Some could cope with WFH with young or demanding DC's, some couldn't. You may think they are stupid or inferior for that, but it doesn't change the situation.

@jarviscockatiel not all schools but most areas have a school that can do thi all schools dont have the staff, available. Lots of people, including teachers, are in isolation.

Sorry what I meant is lots of schools have kept one open instead of having several open and children of key workers are going to that one.

But again, they should only go if they absolutely must. And people really need to consider wether they are actually a key worker or not. Just because you quality for it, doesnt mean you should leave your kids in school automatically.

hey've also been told they're staying open for Easter holidays for key workers!

I think most of us were expecting this.

Hopefully schools/nurseries will continue to be able to offer places to all those key workers who really need the emergency childcare so they can continue with their vital jobs, and not have to close due to high numbers of children who could otherwise be at home.

And those of you who think we're there so you can work from home in peace, having suddenly discovered you are, apparently, a key worker, I hope the government realises that stricter guidelines are needed. I'm not working over the holiday for free so you can remain un-inconvenienced by this worldwide emergency.

This is a truly nasty thread. The name calling just isn't needed
I can't WFH but my workplace are putting in social distancing provisions.

@Dawnofanewmillenium
I won't say what my views on this are.. whether I agree or disagree with you. That's irrelevant.
What I will say is that your general language and attitude is disgusting, derogatory and judgemental on parenting hardships you clearly have no clue over.
Its horrifying you are a teacher (or so I read), and wonder if you would disclose a vague idea of what part of the country you are in. Just so I could ensure that neither my child or any child I know is ever taught by you.

@jarviscockatiel you need to contact your LA with details of the days and times you really cannot look after your children and they will assist in finding a school which has space to take the children.

Perhaps you should try helping rather than lecturing others?

OK - I'll drop a few of your leaflets through while you take over from me in the already overfull and understaffed medical HDU if you like? Maybe you'll have more luck than me at getting hold of some proper PPE to wear ...

Everyone has different coping abilities. Some DC's are easier to look after than others for a multitude of reasons. Some could cope with WFH with young or demanding DC's, some couldn't. You may think they are stupid or inferior for that, but it doesn't change the situation.

The school arent open because some people will struggle. It's open as a last resort for parents that need to go to work for the good of the country and have no choice.

Of course it's a struggle. Theres a bloody pandemic, we will all have to struggle in someway.

Putting other people and your children at risk, so you dont have to struggle isnt acceptable.

What I will say is that your general language and attitude is disgusting, derogatory and judgemental on parenting hardships you clearly have no clue over

Glad it's not just me. At a time people should be helping, they're judging. Productive.