DD 1 having to isolate, how do I get DD2 to school?

[divafever99]

DD1 (age 9 1/2) sent home from school today and told to isolate for 2 weeks as she may have been been in contact with Covid. DD2 still expected to go into school.
Currently considering what I will do tomorrow, would you:
A) take DD 1 on school run, keeping safe distance from others.
B) drive to school and leave her in car alone for approximately 10 minutes.
C) leave her at home alone, I will be gone for approximately 15 minutes.
Any advice appreciated, I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue.

I’d do c) with my 9 year old. Do you think she’d be ok at home alone for that length of time?

Leave at home. Does she have access to a phone/tablet/Alexa that she can contact you or someone on on the off chance something happens?

She should be fine at home alone for that length of time. Haven’t you left her alone for 15 minutes or so before now?

Agree I would leave my 9 year old at home alone for 15 mins if I needed to.

C

Do you all not need to isolate if she is?

Ideally someone else would take dd2 but I'm guessing people are going to be reluctant to volunteer. I'd probably go for leaving her in the car outside school, depending on the parking situation and how likely it was for someone to crash into the car while I was gone!

This was my thinking today. I have a child in reception and one in year 4. I am a single parent. If one has to isolate, and the other still expected in school, I have no idea what I am going to do. I received text messages today for both children to say a child in each of their classes have symptoms of coronavirus and they are isolating. Both DC still expected in school until school friends are tested. Although this may change depending on results.

I am thinking I am just going to have to tell school my situation and hope they will understand and keep both children off if one of their bubbles have to isolate.

Aww, I really feel for you. Is she ok with C? Is she generally a sensible child? Could she phone you when you go and keep chatting to you as you walk so you are both reassured that the other is ok?

@ssd not if it's a confirmed case in her bubble but she's got no symptoms herself. Otherwise we would have half the school off.

I would leave at home. I have left ds10 alone when going quickly to shops for couple of years. Isolating dd8 has been staying home for 5-10 mins when I get ds from school.

I’d keep both off

C. Teach her how to call your mobile in case she needs anything.

No one would be saying leave a 9 year old home alone usually!

At that age I would leave her at home, the first couple of times I would arrange with her that I will give her a call/videocall when I get to the school (so half way through the alone time).

You know your child best so is she sensible enough to be left home alone for 15 min? Is she happy to be home alone? Could you tell a neighbour that she’ll be home alone in that time frame just as a back up. Or the car would be second best option IMO.

Hmmmm I thought you all would have to self isolate?

For 15 mins yes many would, Treesofwood.

Can you

D) ring round and arrange for one of DD2's friend's parents to pick her up?

or
E) offer to drop DD2 at one of her friend's houses, for their parents to take in?

Thanks for all your replies.
I assumed we would all have to isolate too, but I have checked current guidance, and as DD 1 has no symptoms we do not need to (I have checked her temperature on several occasions!)
My mum lives nearby but she can't help as we are in an area with increased restrictions and can't meet anyone indoors or outdoors.
I've never left her at home alone before, but she is a sensible 9 year old so I'm thinking that would be the best option. I will phone her whilst out and also let my neighbour know as she will be home. Thanks.

@IKEA888 only the child with contact at school needs to isolate, not the rest of the family. Unless you're in a local lockdown area of course

This is what I don't understand about our approach to schools, surely both kids should be told to isolate or dd2 is an easy route for it to get back into school and spread further if dd1 is positive. Not a dig at you OP obviously, you're doing as asked but I just think it's crazy our leaders can't see this gaping hole in their plan

I'd also say C though

I have an 8 yr old, nearly 9 and no way would I leave him home alone. I once left him home with his Dad still asleep, knowing he could wake him up if needed and he hated it. I came home and he was sat on the floor, curtains drawn with a blanket over his head.

I would never leave a 9 year old at home alone. Ever. I would phone the school and tell them I will bring dd2 in by car and park at the school (a bit later so she doesn’t mix with other bubbles), or she wouldn’t be in at all.

The thought of a 9yo dealing with a disaster while you’re out sends chills down my spine.