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Original poster

Anyone else dreading kids going back to school

102 replies

MysteryMama · 23/08/2020 19:52

Ive kept my DC safe and isolated since March. They’ve barely seen another person during this time.
Homeschooling was a bit of a flop, I won’t lie.
But I’m literally lying awake at night, worrying about them going back. The media is saying it’s safe, etc. But I’m not convinced.
Don’t get me wrong, they’ve driven me to the brink of sanity most days, but I’d rather them be safe and healthy. DC2 is prone to viral asthma and all the DC were born very prematurely(no real ongoing health issues though-but I’ve seen them on ventilators before and I still have nightmares about it)
Anyone else considering hiding from the world in a cave with their DC?

OP posts:
WaltzfortheMars · 23/08/2020 20:39

I am really worried, but on the other hand children need education and interaction with peers. We have to wait and see how it goes. We don't have any case in surrounding areas, so I am starting to feel a bit more optimistic.

Stellaris22 · 23/08/2020 20:52

Where I am we've had no cases for weeks, so also cautiously optimistic.

ethelredonagoodday · 23/08/2020 20:57

I find the alternative more worrying. My children need to socialise, they need to see other adults and they need structure and challenge from people other than me and DH.
We both work in professional services jobs, where we need thinking time and interrupters time. We've not had it as hard as many others, but at times it's been a struggle.
After 6 months of no school I cannot wait for them to be back.

justanotherneighinparadise · 23/08/2020 20:58

Genuinely no. Can’t wait.

ethelredonagoodday · 23/08/2020 20:59

*uninterrupted time

IncidentsandAccidents · 23/08/2020 21:45

Anxiety is a horrible thing, I'm so sorry you are feeling like this. Try to take a step back. Your children have barely seen another person in 6 months. Homeschooling didn't go brilliantly (you certainly won't be the only one there so don't worry about that!). When your dc go back to school they will get the chance to play and learn with other children. Their world will start to open up again. I know it's scary but this will be fantastic for them. Try not to spend time looking up scary things online. The internet is a great feeder of fears but rarely provides a balanced view.

KilljoysDutch · 23/08/2020 21:50

Yes, but I have anxiety and the school haven't even released their guidelines about the kids going back and are saying it will be up end of the month which gives me maybe 4 days to organise what my child actually needs for their return.

Ellsbells12 · 23/08/2020 21:51

Nope my child was
Too scared to get out of the car ... at 5

I am not scared of the virus anymore I want to live !!!! Another year of this bs you either hide or get on with life

Givemeallthewine · 23/08/2020 21:54

Literally cannot wait for term to start. Two of mine went back in June - one was in year 6, then my youngest started back 2 days a week as a key worker child (we own a food production business) but my 14yo has stayed home for the full lockdown (coped ok with online classes so didn't use key worker status).

Both of mine who went back to school were like changed kids after just a day back at school, it was amazing to see the difference. I now wish I’d put them all in as key worker kids from the beginning.

I’m sorry you’re feeling anxious. But I promise you will see your kids thrive if you let them go back in September Flowers

Shitfuckoh · 23/08/2020 21:58

@EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide My youngest is due to start his 15 hours in Sept too. I'm the same as you. I'm kind of more towards not sending him, I'd like to wait a while & see how things go and it just adds that extra 'chance' of having to self isolate & get everyone tested doesn't it.
Plus ours have said children to stay off even with a runny nose - which I can understand but then it's another child in the mix & colds seem to do the rounds of the full house 3 times over!

flowerbombVR · 23/08/2020 22:01

Not another one of theses posts Sad

SirVixofVixHall · 23/08/2020 22:08

I don’t know whether to send mine back or not. Eldest (15) says she doesn’t want to go in, younger is very worried but also missing school .
I am mid fifties, I know of people much younger than me who have been left very damaged by Covid. I also have a child with auto immune issues , as I have too. So I am very scared.
Not all parents are in their thirties with no health issues at all.

iVampire · 23/08/2020 22:14

I was required to shield (I have blood cancer)

And yes I’m concerned about what DD might bring home from (secondary) school

She will go in at the start of term.

I’m really not sure what would be for the best if shielding restarts, or if there are pupils/staff absent from her classes on symptomatic isolation

Mumoflittles · 23/08/2020 22:17

I cant wait. My DC need it so bad.

crosser62 · 23/08/2020 22:18

Nope, not at all.
My little one is the one who has suffered the most through all of this.
Normal sports clubs, active social activities stopped, no education, no stimulation, adult company only, slipped into bad habits sleep wise & eating wise.
It has to stop because it is damaging.
Desperate now for normality, healthy routines and rules to adhere to again. To get back on track with education and sorts.

There is no comparison of life as it is and has been to what life needs to be and should be.

Can’t come soon enough.

lazylinguist · 23/08/2020 22:22

I hate the fact that, at the age of four, she will have to sit at a desk on her own and face the front.

She will presumably be in a room full of other children with a teacher. Sorry but why is it traumatic to face the front of a room? That's where the teacher will be. I've taught children from 4 to 18. I've never seen any be bothered by sitting at a table and looking at the front of the classroom.

Spookathon · 23/08/2020 22:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Beebityboo · 23/08/2020 22:57

I think that's really unfair @spookathon. It is not abusive to do everything in your power to keep your children from harm. For better or worse the government and the media terrified people half to death (remember the "you will lose loved ones" speech?) to ensure lockdown compliance . I also find your statement hugely offensive to the disabled, vulnerable and shielding families that had no choice to stay locked away until very recently. The OP is worried and coming here for reassurance and instead you've accused her of abusing her children.

Shitfuckoh · 23/08/2020 23:07

@Spookathon

Ive kept my DC safe and isolated since March. They’ve barely seen another person during this time. Homeschooling was a bit of a flop, I won’t lie.

You've kept them isolated and uneducated for five months due to a threat that is less likely than a lightning strike.

This is abuse.

How do you know the OPs situation just from the small amount she has posted? Her, her child or a member of her household could have been shielding - therefore isolated & not sending any one else was the rule until recently! If her child for example was the one shielding, then it's understandable that homeschooling may not have worked out how the OP wanted.

In no way does any of that equal abuse.

PinkCrayon · 23/08/2020 23:13

I am looking forward to having some normality but I have to admit I am a bit worried about it all.

Original poster
MysteryMama · 23/08/2020 23:44

Abuse?? Are you ok? ‘Stay at home. Control the virus. Save lives’ or did you miss that particular piece of advice? Tit!

OP posts:
blue25 · 23/08/2020 23:47

I know two teachers who have jacked in their jobs and will be homeschooling their own children. Says a lot about their faith in the system.

RaspberryRuff · 23/08/2020 23:49

“Abuse” is a bit much Confused

sunseekin · 23/08/2020 23:51

@MysteryMama

Ive kept my DC safe and isolated since March. They’ve barely seen another person during this time. Homeschooling was a bit of a flop, I won’t lie. But I’m literally lying awake at night, worrying about them going back. The media is saying it’s safe, etc. But I’m not convinced. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve driven me to the brink of sanity most days, but I’d rather them be safe and healthy. DC2 is prone to viral asthma and all the DC were born very prematurely(no real ongoing health issues though-but I’ve seen them on ventilators before and I still have nightmares about it) Anyone else considering hiding from the world in a cave with their DC?
Yes definitely. Please don’t let people make you feel abnormal for having concerns. It’s normal during a pandemic without underlying health issues to worry about.

I really recommend taking a look at the boycott return to unsafe schools (BRTUS) on Facebook, you’ll find a lot of people in the same boat.
Take care x

SirVixofVixHall · 23/08/2020 23:54

Abuse ? Children have had parents die from this virus, it is not “less likely than a lightning strike” , what a ridiculous thing to say.
Losing a parent, or having a parent left with permanent ill health, is rather worse than missing school for a while. They will catch up on work missed, but you can’t replace your Mum or Dad.
There are also many children shielding, dds best friend has been shielding, is that abuse ?

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