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Covid

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Original poster

Sending kids to school during lockdown.

10 replies

How321 · 01/02/2021 19:51

Hello just after a little bit of advice, my ex has decided she wants to send our kids back to school as we are both key workers.

Up until now my parents have been taking care of the kids doing all the online work and even been getting lots of praise from the school with how well they are doing, I volunteered to go on furlough, which I start today, so I could help look after the kids ( I was a stay at home parent for 6 years so am more than qualified and I looked after them the whole of the last lockdown when still with my ex).

I feel my ex wanting to send kids back coinciding with me now being off is not a coincidence we decided before both lockdowns that our kids mixing with other children unnecessarily would put them at a higher risk, but now this has all changed as she’s told me their education is more important, even thought the school is more than happy with the job my parents have been doing up till now.

My question is this, I don’t agree that it’s worth the risk of them going back to school when the government have advised all children not to go to school unless you have absolutely no choice, but our kids have a choice which would keep them safer and I feel would be in their best interest.

I literally don’t know what to do, we both have parental responsibility so I can by law just rock up to the school and take my kids but I don’t want to risk alienating the school by putting them in the middle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:

SummerHouse · 01/02/2021 19:59

The provision is not for education. I would say to her that I would accept it only if the school were aware that they have a furloughed parent. It's not fair on anyone else otherwise. The kids who have no option but to be at home and the kids who have no option but to be at school and the parents and the teachers. It would seem it's you she doesn't trust to deliver the schooling as it's only an issue now you are on furlough?

jb23newmum · 01/02/2021 20:00

I sent my youngest and we were unlucky she caught covid at school and brought it home. However I knew the risk and we both decided as we were were working it made sense. Neither had the option to be furloughed and we have no family nearby . I think however if you are able to teach them at home I wouldn’t send them especially mixing with grandparents . Depending on age they can’t distance no matter how hard they try and when living at home you can’t distance from each other with young children .

lonelyplanet · 01/02/2021 20:01

If you are at home furloughed, you are no longer a key worker and your kids should be at home too. It is not about keeping your kids safe it is about keeping your whole community safe. The more kids there are in school, the longer it will take to bring down the numbers and the longer the majority will be out if school. If the school knows your true situation then they won't offer a place.

ladygracie · 01/02/2021 20:02

If school know there is a parent available to supervise remote learning then they may say no to them coming in. My school would. Not sure if that’s helpful.

Popfan · 01/02/2021 20:21

Yes I'd tell the school you are at home to care for them and I'd imagine they would withdraw the place.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/02/2021 20:27

Tell the school you are furloughed. They might then say you should keep them home.

Original poster

How321 · 01/02/2021 20:39

I agree with most of the comments here, I did ring the school as soon as she told me she’d got them a place as any decisions involving the kids education has to be run by me as well, told them I was furloughed and the headmaster told me a place had been reserved it was up to us to decide between us wether they go in or not, I did all their education in the last lockdown only difference this time is my ex and I no longer together

OP posts:

Hugepeppapigfan · 01/02/2021 21:03

Your children should not be in school if you have another option. Simple as that.

SmileEachDay · 01/02/2021 21:06

I think it’s impossible for anyone on here to say - the picture you paint is so unfeasibly clear cut. I wonder what your ex’s post would be, if she did one.

The two of you need to discuss it and come to a decision.

whagst · 01/02/2021 21:08

You shouldn't be sending them to school if you don't need to, which you don't. It's incredibly selfish to send them. It increases the social contact between the kids who have to be in and the staff who are there working. People behaving like this are going to be the reason why this all lasts longer.

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