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Original poster

Who else is leaving their teen dc alone all day to go to work?

28 replies

namechangemania · 21/03/2020 08:22

I need help to settle a disagreement between me and my ex. I don’t want to send our 15yo to school, as I don’t feel it’s necessary at all. However my ex wants to send him as apparently it’ll be good for him socially/mental health wise to at least clap eyes on other people also ex doesn’t want to have to deal with a hermit dc when he gets in from a stressful day at work Confused he will be fuming with me if I don’t send him on Monday but I’m really not comfortable with it.

Who else is leaving their teen DC alone all day?

OP posts:
Bluewater1 · 21/03/2020 08:24

Mine are younger but I'd absolutely leave a 15year old at home. It's the safest place for him and we are all supposed to be exercising social distancing x

Original poster
namechangemania · 21/03/2020 08:25

We are both ‘key workers‘ btw so technically ds can go to school if it’s “absolutely necessary” as per the gov website

OP posts:
LynnSchmob · 21/03/2020 08:25

What does your 15 yr old want to do?

Original poster
namechangemania · 21/03/2020 08:26

@LynnSchmob he doesn’t really seem fussed either way tbh

OP posts:
Monty27 · 21/03/2020 08:26

Send him to school.

lazylinguist · 21/03/2020 08:27

Depends on the 15yo, but yes I probably would.

middleager · 21/03/2020 08:28

I wouldn't send mine in. Not only will he be at risk but it's just spreading the risk when he could easily be at home.

DrAdmin · 21/03/2020 08:29

Mine is 15 and asthmatic and I’m keeping him at home
I’m the sort of parent that normally sends him to school if he is well enough to stand up with 2 paracetamol

LaureBerthaud · 21/03/2020 08:29

15yr old should be left at home with some very clear instructions. It'll be a lot more boring in school. And why does your ex think his ds has a greater need for socialisation than any other teen?

TwilightPeace · 21/03/2020 08:30

No, don’t send him in!
Children should only go to school if there is no other option, and at 15 he is perfectly safe to be home alone.

Don’t get why people are saying send him in? We’re trying to slow the spread of this virus, not make it worse ffs.

okiedokieme · 21/03/2020 08:31

My ex was keen to send ours to "school" as we are both classified as keyworkers, unfortunately they closed their universities Grin I would send him unless there's specific health reasons not to

Davespecifico · 21/03/2020 08:32

No leave him at home. Anyone going out is a potential carrier. I have to go in as a teacher and it’s stressing me as I could be bringing the virus home to family.
The more people at home, the better, I think.

TrudysTerribleFringe · 21/03/2020 08:32

Definitely leave him home. Safer for him and safer for the other children if you bring something home from work and pass it to your DS.

He can Skype and face time his friends.

Imapotato · 21/03/2020 08:35

DP is working from home, but if he wasn’t dd15 and dd12 would be home alone. I work for the nhs so they could go to school, but they don’t want to as none of their friends would be going in and the worn be taught properly, only doing the work that is set for home.

They stay alone in the holidays when we are both at work and are sensible.

rockingaroundthemulberrybush · 21/03/2020 08:35

My understanding is here (DH is primary school teacher in Scotland) that it is more childcare than school, although maybe that's just the primary schools. He might be totally fed up doing arts & crafts all day!

InflagranteDelicto · 21/03/2020 08:39

My three will be staying at home. They'll have school work, some chores and instructions to not bicker. I could send youngest in, but there's enough risk with me going to work. It doesn't need increasing.

corlan · 21/03/2020 08:40

Don't send him in. The government guidance is clear. Schools remain open for children ' who absolutely need to attend'.Your son is not in this category.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

TwilightPeace · 21/03/2020 08:41

I would send him unless there's specific health reasons not to

A specific health reason?? There’s a global pandemic, thousands of people of dying around the globe. The number of deaths are about to sky rocket in the U.K. over the next few weeks.
The more people mix together socially, the more the virus will spread.
People should stay at home if at all possible. The OP can safely let her child stay at home. What benefit is there to sending him in?

SoloMummy · 21/03/2020 08:42

No. Don't send. It's unnecessary additional risk.

user1494055864 · 21/03/2020 08:44

My 15 and 12 year old will be home alone, although I fear my efforts to keep them safe are futile, as I will be going to school every day myself Hmm

2014meh · 21/03/2020 08:48

I'd be amazed if you can actually persuade a 15y.o. to go to school when their mates will be at home.

Can you encourage your ds to do chores for a bit of extra cash. Anything to keep busy really.

Chocolatecake12 · 21/03/2020 08:54

I could send mine - 13 (and 18) but I’m not going to. My feeling is that it’s best to stay at home if possible. I think primary age children of key workers who cannot be alone then yes absolutely send them. Secondary age, keep at home

Fizzypoo · 21/03/2020 08:55

I'm not sending my 12 or 14 year old in and I'm a key worker.

I can WFH for a lot of it and see people face to face if I deem it necessary. I will be leaving them for the majority of the working day if I need to go in the office.

Lordfrontpaw · 21/03/2020 08:55

We are all stuck at home - but ds is planning a virtual pizza party some of his classmates!

BlueGheko · 21/03/2020 08:57

I'm leaving my 11 yr old , I have no choice. Thankfully I'm part time and home by 3pm most days.

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