So how the F are we meant to work?

[Littlewhitedove2]

3 primary age kids. One parent left who won’t leave their house except the shops much less come anywhere near me or the kids. Inlaws in a similar position.
Primary school closed. It won’t be 2 weeks - it will be far longer than that.
Husband full time work.
I work part time as much as I can around school but not critical worker.
How do women work now?

I know two families whose toddlers/3 year old were fatally killed by stepping into the road. Both had hold of their hands immediately before. Neither family has or will recover from the dreadful tragedy of approaching traffic just at the moment that their child slipped out of their hand. This could happen to any one of us, it's just luck if it hasn't.

This is a bizarre argument, akin to saying that it's fine if I let my toddler play in the hard shoulder of the M25 because he could be killed in a freak road accident even if I'm careful. No one is saying that no children died in accidents before lockdown or that they're 100% safe if their caregivers aren't trying to work at the same time, they're saying that the risk is massively increased if they're being inadequately supervised because the person supervising them is trying to work, and I just can't imagine how anyone could seriously deny that? Acknowledging that young children are at risk if schools and nurseries shut isn't saying you're a covid denier who thinks there should be no restrictions, it's just facing reality.

@makingitupaswegoon

I'm in Scotland. It's a fucking joke. I've been on my work's website to see if any guidance and it basically says nicely - talk to your manager if you are struggling and they'll help you prioritise what you need to deliver

My employer would say “all of it”.

Hence why legal protection should be in place.

I am lucky in that my year 5 child is able to look after himself for the most part. It will be 12 hour days of roblox no doubt. But 🤷🏼‍♀️ - it is more important that he is fed and has a roof over his head, no?

@MessAllOver. I don't know. Trying not to worry about it at the moment. DH is taking leave to cover the extra holidays schools have been given prior to home school starting but my boss just keeps adding and adding to my workload

What are the rules in Scotland on babysitters/nannies? I know schools and nurseries have to close, but are you allowed people in your house to work (like you would a plumber, for example)?

@MarshaBradyo

Childcare is consideration it’s why KW places are set up.

You obviously don't understand the system if you think it's that simple

E Dodo?

Expand on what you are accusing me of so rudely

@MessAllOver

What are the rules in Scotland on babysitters/nannies? I know schools and nurseries have to close, but are you allowed people in your house to work (like you would a plumber, for example)?

You’re allowed a plumber for essential repairs. No childcare in your house although you can send them to a nanny or babysitter’s own house if it’s ‘essential’ that you have childcare.

If you think I mean every KW simply gets a place you are misunderstanding

@GoldenOmber. Are you allowed family childcare?

[quote MessAllOver]@GoldenOmber. Are you allowed family childcare?[/quote]
Yes, if it’s ‘essential’ and children go to family member’s house rather than family member coming to you. You’re allowed family members in your own home if you physically can’t transport the child or if your child has additional needs that the family member’s house isn’t set up for.

Scotland decisions are madness.

@MarshaBradyo I work in the private sector but my clients are in the public sector. To give you an example, one of the projects that I was working on prior to Christmas related to the feeding of children from low income and vulnerable families during the school holidays. I do not have key worker status. My seven year old cannot access online lessons without constant supervision. His reading and writing skills are not strong enough to be able to access online resources and switch from one resource to another. His inability to access online schooling effectively makes him very anxious which he shows by way of aggression. Shouting, screaming and rolling around the floor. Furthermore, his school require an adult in the room at all times during an online lesson. The matters that I am discussing with my clients are highly confidential and cannot be overheard by other parents on a video call. It is completely impossible.

We’re also told, and I quote, “If the increased restrictions at level 4 are going to give you additional caring responsibilities, it's a good idea to discuss flexible working with your employer so you can come up with a balance that works for everyone.” Ha haaaaa.

Scottish rules are absolutely crazy. Closing nurseries is madness without a system in place to furlough parents of nursery- aged children to care for them.

I can't believe enforced neglect of vulnerable babies and young children has become government policy.

Companies can furlough for childcare reasons but as they are generally private companies the goverment cannot force them .
A decent company would do this though for a couple weeks if someone really can't do both, says a lot about some of the companies here , also option of part furlough , part time work to fit in . Many companies could do this , not many choose too
Self employed always will be an issue and trouble with both parent working with young children if child is ill, but in areas where primaries are shut , they are shut due to high numbers and if the kids went in and loads caught it and brought it home , people would be complaining.

@GoldenOmber. Ffs! It's just adding insult to injury.

@lemons1571 dont be ridiculous. Thats over 700000 deaths, which is about 5% of population pf under 18s.

I dont really think people understand what the NHS being overwhelmed means. It does not just mean people dying of covid

Bunsy I agree with you. I don’t think anyone can handle wfh with a small child no matter their status.

My point below re KW is that the government does recognise the role of cc for schools. Otherwise they wouldn’t use it. It doesn’t mean everyone who needs it gets it - far from it.

It also doesn’t mean if you don’t get it it’s easy. The opposite actually. It’s incredibly difficult.

My point is that I want to highlight how hard it is and that we shouldn’t say oh it’s fine. Children run on roads anyway. No I’m agreeing it’s too much to expect.

Also personally if I had young children for 2 weeks at home I wouldn't stress about hOme schooling too much , if you have to wfh and can't do both ( understandably ) then I would do work and let the kids do what what ever you can as long as they are safe and fed etc , 2 weeks of missed school isn't going to be the end of the world ans always do a little weekend and evenings.
Its shit but with the numbers rising I think very little option In some places

@DishedUp exactly it means people may have their chemo cancelled , or not a bed for someone seriously ill , people in corridors
We have to remember the hospitals always struggle a bit in flu season and this is like flu season 10x over if not more
Nurses/ drs off with covid etc the knock affect is huge

Also we all obviously worry about our situation , think of the hospitality industry who have lost jobs , been on reduced pay for months . I myself lost my job in march and have not been able to secure another one.
Its tough for everyone and difficult decisions have to be made

@donewithitalltodayandxmas
That's all well and good but you are forgetting that kids in Scotland were not in school from March till mid-August. In my school teachers have said to parents that children are behind where they would normally be and it is going to take them time to catch up

@makingitupaswegoon it was same here in england , online was good at some schools not at others
Mine is yr 11 england so due to sit exams so very important , but so is keeping him and others safe
I would take a few failed gcse's over less people dying or contracting covid in all honesty.
Younger kids have years to catch up and you have option if tutors etc eventually
But when cases are high and we know schools contribute to spread what do you do ? Blended learning puts families in the same situation
Its shit se know that but I don't think any goverment have taken closing schools lighltly

@Hardbackwriter

I know two families whose toddlers/3 year old were fatally killed by stepping into the road. Both had hold of their hands immediately before. Neither family has or will recover from the dreadful tragedy of approaching traffic just at the moment that their child slipped out of their hand. This could happen to any one of us, it's just luck if it hasn't.

This is a bizarre argument, akin to saying that it's fine if I let my toddler play in the hard shoulder of the M25 because he could be killed in a freak road accident even if I'm careful. No one is saying that no children died in accidents before lockdown or that they're 100% safe if their caregivers aren't trying to work at the same time, they're saying that the risk is massively increased if they're being inadequately supervised because the person supervising them is trying to work, and I just can't imagine how anyone could seriously deny that? Acknowledging that young children are at risk if schools and nurseries shut isn't saying you're a covid denier who thinks there should be no restrictions, it's just facing reality.

Posters were saying that the mother trying to wfh with two toddlers was the only causal factor in this dreadful tragedy, even though the newspaper reported the coroner as identifying a hot tub lid not being on properly.

My point is that dreadful accidents and tragedies have always happened.

We don't know as yet how the profile of household accidents/deaths etc has been affected by the pandemic. We know that more women are being murdered by their partners or recent partners, we know that some of the 'excess deaths' aren't just because of covid infection, we know that thank goodness the rates of stillbirth haven't risen, we know that attendance at A&E was 75% less than usual rates earlier in the year, but won't know more until full stats for 2020 are published.

The civil service isn't furloughing people but we allow special paid leave for staff who can't work as they have their kids.

I have some people in my team this applies to and we'll allow this if they don't have another option. Most of my team though are really good and have gone halves with the other parent or have offered to work when they can (eg nap times and once the DC are in bed).