Would you keep a 13 year old at home?

[lamalama]

My daughter is 13 and I have to work as a key worker. I'm really struggling to decide whether it's best she attends school or stays at home on her own. What would you do?

School

I work for a school and we have some students attending pt as parents don’t work every day. Would that work?

I would recommend home, with the expectation she does work but video chats with friends and family regularly.

Home! School is a health risk and at 13 she’s absolutely fine on her own at home.

Will she be completely on her own all day every day? If so I'd send her to school.

Home! She will be safer!!! It’s not about anything else right now. I had struggled with this too but I’m sure if the right decision

Our high school wrote to parents to say that whilst they are remaining open for kids of key workers, the expectation is that these kids do not attend school unless they are unable to be left at home as home is likely to be less of an infection risk than school.

How long are you out for in the day? How mature is she for her age?

It's a tough one. I'd be tempted to leave her home with set things to do to keep her accountable and fully occupied during the day? I'd also phone her a couple of times throughout the day too.

I honestly think unless they have additional needs or are in the vulnerable category, teenagers should be at home. The aim is to provide childcare for key workers but the majority of teens don’t need childcare. I’ve already seen a number of posters saying that in some schools a higher proportion of students meet the criteria and they don’t have enough staff and one poster who’s school has so many they’re seemingly not going to be able to provide it at all!

Gosh, yes, not bothering to take my 13 y old to school

Can you trust that she won't go out and that her friends won't come over? If the friends are hanging out she might be safer in school.

A lot of teenagers in don't get it. They get lonely, they miss their friends and they think they're invincible.

Absolutely home.

Home!

Home 100%.
At 13 she should be able to understand the.importance of stepping up. What do you normally do for "childcare" outside of school hours? I take it she is home alone in holidays or after school.normally?
Phone her occasionally. Perhaps some lessons in using the oven etc ( or ban cooking)
Sell it to her that you know she can be trusted and it's safest for her and for the good of society..... Maybe channel your inner churchill!

Home.
All neurotypical children from Year 7/12 should be able to spend the school week home alone.

100% home

At home - of course!

Home, unless she has additional needs that mean she couldn't really be left alone?

Home!

Home. I wouldn't even consider school.

Home. As long as she is a sensible character.

Home.

Our high school said key workers are only to send them if their child is not safe to be left home alone. If at all possible being left at home is better than school

I'd choose school. Id be too worried about what might happen at home.

I'd send to school only if you are a single parent and she is an only child or your eldest child. And it would depend what your job is and how likely you are to be working crazy long hours over the next few months. I think a 13yo should be OK for the odd day at home alone but it would be expecting a lot emotionally for a 13yo to be home alone for long hours while their doctor or nurse single parent was exposing themselves to a potentially deadly virus every day.

Home if she is sensible and not prone to drama.

What does she want?