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Original poster

Childs bubble has burst

38 replies

AvoidingRealHumans · 26/09/2020 19:37

We've had a message from the school today stating that one of the teachers has tested positive so the whole class has to go into isolation.
I am just so nervous about telling my manager, I've already just had a week off for isolating.
I know they will have to understand but he can be so difficult that I feel nervous, I don't even know what to message him.
I am also stressed about money as because I am not the one needing to isolate it will go down as unpaid leave - my last stint of isolating will probably be ssp and this is the same pay period so god knows how I'll pay my bills next month.
Does anyone know the rules, can my child go to the home of a child in his class while I'm at work seeing as they're isolating too? This is the only way I can see round it where I could earn some money this month.

Any ideas of to the point messages I can send, he will call me as soon as he reads it and I'm dreading it.
Thankss

OP posts:
Dnadoon · 26/09/2020 19:40

Flowers for you. I have no advice but this is crap for parents trying to hold down jobs.

StatisticalSense · 26/09/2020 20:26

No he cannot go to another household whilst he is meant to be isolating. He shouldn't even be in close contact with you let alone anyone else.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 26/09/2020 20:29

I think officially it is against the rules, but in practice if neither child has symptoms, I probably would in your position. I'd have to get some work done.

SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel · 26/09/2020 20:33

Technically its against the rules but if both families are happy with the arrangement then I don't think morally theres anything wrong with it, if you genuinely feel work won't be understanding and there will be a financial impact on you.

Yetiyoga · 26/09/2020 20:47

It is so frustrating, I am so sorry. Is the child's dad on the scene so you can work at least some days.

And FWIW, you don't need to distance yourself from your child. So don't listen to those posters!

saussaggessandmasshh · 26/09/2020 20:52

Ignore anyone who pounces and starts spouting the rules.

The rules don't pay the bills and hold down a job, patience is wearing thin with employers trying to keep businesses afloat and not all are understanding. But employees can not help schools closing and forcing kids to isolate for 2 weeks.

Yes everyone should be following the rules but it just isn't practical especially for working parents.

If you can find someone willing and happy to look after your kids so you can work then go for it.

Original poster
AvoidingRealHumans · 26/09/2020 21:45

Of course it isn't ideal but I don't have a job I can do from home and my bill's will still need to be paid at the end of the month. Thanks for the supportive replies, its just a shit situation all round.
As for not being in close contact with my child, he's 6. Even if he had confirmed covid I wouldn't keep my distance from him, I really have to question people's maternal instincts on here sometimes Confused. Who in their right mind would bat their sick child off with a wooden Cross?

OP posts:
MostlyHappyMummy · 26/09/2020 21:48

Can you share the time off with childs father? I’ve had to do that myself, it’s a tough situation

Sunsetjoy · 26/09/2020 21:50

He shouldn't even be in close contact with you let alone anyone else.

Are you actually serious? Hope u don’t have children!!

So sorry OP it’s a shit situation, I’m absolutely dreading this happening to us (our area currently high risk so I’m expecting it) if you can find someone to help you out I deffo would. Like a PP said, bills need paying. This is gonna be a long winter Sad

Original poster
AvoidingRealHumans · 26/09/2020 21:55

Unfortunately my children's dad lives over 4000 miles away so he can't help. I am going to speak to my manager Tomorrow, I can't face it today and go from there.

OP posts:
NonCis · 26/09/2020 21:58

Isn't there a "childcare clause/exemption" or something, in the rules? I'm sure I remember something like that...?

Sorry you're facing this, OP. It's shit.

vanillandhoney · 26/09/2020 21:59

@StatisticalSense

No he cannot go to another household whilst he is meant to be isolating. He shouldn't even be in close contact with you let alone anyone else.
Bloody hell, I hope you're not a parent.

You can't socially distance from your own six year old! Shock

Sunsetjoy · 26/09/2020 22:02

Why don’t you text a few of the mums from the same class before your manager? I’m sure someone would be happy to help! Even if they could only do 1 or 2 days you could then break it to your manager but say ‘ I have managed to arrange childcare for 2 days’ that way it softens the blow so to speak and shows you have tried to sort it yourself first.

Bollss · 26/09/2020 22:05

@StatisticalSense

No he cannot go to another household whilst he is meant to be isolating. He shouldn't even be in close contact with you let alone anyone else.
Oh please stop peddling this utter shite. He is A CHILD. Quite frankly if op decided not to be in close contact with him it would be neglect.
pandafunfactory · 26/09/2020 22:09

Just do what you need to do to survive op. The sanctimonious rule spotters won't be paying your bills.

catnoir1 · 26/09/2020 22:25

😂 no close contact with his mum? What do you suggest they do?

Yes it's against the rules op but like pp says, it doesn't pay the bills.

If another family is happy with the arrangement then crack on.

PyongyangKipperbang · 26/09/2020 22:46

Can you get 5 other parents to form an unofficial "bubble" and do one day each?

Its all very well saying "No, its against the rules" but that doesnt pay my bills as a single parent. Frankly, I am sure that these people would also balk at you daring to claim benefits if you lose your job, and get social housing if you lose your home so fuck them.

Yes we are all in this together, but some of us are in it a hell of a lot further than others and need to do what we can to survive.

JanewaysBun · 27/09/2020 10:26

I would form your own bubble or sudden realise you have a temperature yourself.....

Murmurur · 27/09/2020 11:32

What is the exact wording from your company?

You can't follow all the in-the-home separation they suggest with a self-isolater because he's only 6. Is it worth a good bash at arguing to work that you therefore need to self isolate yourself, and therefore you should be paid? This is not like staying home because your child is sick. This is staying home because you yourself have a reasonable likelihood of sharing your son's potential germs with your colleagues.

Otherwise, yes to bubbling with another family in the same situation. Can you use annual leave, borrow forward from future annual leave allowance, ask for overtime in Oct, ask if you can borrow forward some of your Oct salary as a one off? I appreciate lots of jobs won't let you do this kind of thing but you might be surprised if you ask.

justanotherneighinparadise · 28/09/2020 17:26

Does anyone have the official rules on this? My child’s bubble has burst and I’m trying to work out how I get his sibling to school.

Original poster
AvoidingRealHumans · 28/09/2020 18:16

The isolating child isn't allowed to leave the house.
My year 5 is having to walk himself to and from school.
The school have said to call on neighbours/ other school mums to help as siblings must still attend school and isolating children mustn't leave home for any reason.

OP posts:
ReceptionTA · 28/09/2020 18:39

I thought isolating children were allowed to accompany siblings to school but not come on to school premises.

That is what the school I work at are saying and I thought it was government guidelines Confused

justanotherneighinparadise · 28/09/2020 18:54

Well my village doesn’t have a school, the school is 15 mins away by car, so the only way I can get my child to school is if his sibling accompanies us but stays in the car. I have multiple friends with exactly the same issue.

Chestergirl39 · 28/09/2020 18:59

Sorry I have no useful advice other than to say I feel for you and would be nervous contacting my manager in the same position.

farfallarocks · 28/09/2020 19:07

Of course you should try and do everything you can to go to work including bubble with other families. 💐 awful situation I really feel for you.

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