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Original poster

Tested positive, single parent, no help at all, WWYD?

35 replies

GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 18:40

As the title says really. My DD is primary age, and has some SN so can’t walk the half mile to and from school herself.

Both my parents are unvaccinated and are now isolating as close contacts to me. School shrugged when I rang them yesterday and said it’s not their problem but I cannot set foot on school grounds.

I’m quite frustrated with it all. I’m double vaccinated since end of August and I still tested positive.

I feel fine in myself, I’m on day 5 of symptoms. I’m eating and drinking fine (although it doesn’t taste of anything), my throat can get very dry and sore but otherwise I’m fine.

How on earth do I get my DD to school? Her attendance is already bad due to her SN and a medical condition meaning we need to attend appointments. School have said as it’s not her whose isolating they don’t have to provide anything for her.

So how on earth do I manage? Due to covid I don’t know anyone else from her class, we don’t ever see anyone on the schoolrun most people walk passed us the other way going to another school.

ExH is not an option, CAO for contact and he lives 2 hours away anyway, his parents are nearby but have tried to go to court with me twice for full residency so I can’t risk her going to them and not getting her back (they’d say ExH has moved in and now has residency).

So ideas please? Or do I just have to keep her off for the next week? (I can go out again on 9th September)

I wfh and always have so no colleagues nearby to help (they’re all over the world)

OP posts:
FriendshipHelp · 02/10/2021 18:42

Is there a school WhatsApp group or Facebook group? Can you do a quick list asking if anyone can walk her to school for you? But if school haven’t suggested anything I’m guessing your response to them is she’ll have to stay at home with you if you can’t leave the house.

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 18:43

@FriendshipHelp

Is there a school WhatsApp group or Facebook group? Can you do a quick list asking if anyone can walk her to school for you? But if school haven’t suggested anything I’m guessing your response to them is she’ll have to stay at home with you if you can’t leave the house.
No whatsapp or facebook group I'm part of, theres a general school one but my post from there hasn't been approved so I think it's been deleted, I assume school don't want potentially positive DC in but can't say it.
OP posts:
Eve81 · 02/10/2021 18:45

You’re just going to have to keep her off. Think it’s mad that school sent being more sympathetic, but what other choice do you have.

VivaDixie · 02/10/2021 18:47

Our Local Authority have said to keep siblings/children off school if a household member tests positive for at least 2/3 days. Then they have a PCR, if that is negative then they go to school

I realise this doesn't help you much but you can say that you can't send her in and TBH why would you want to?

School are being short sighted here. Just keep her off and Hope you feel ok xx

Karleeb30 · 02/10/2021 18:47

I think the only option is to keep her off if you can't get her there - what do the school bleddy expect? If they are desperate for her to come they'll have to arrange something which is unlikely. Don't feel guilty 💕

butmumineedit · 02/10/2021 18:48

At our school- we would let you drop your child off 5 mins earlier and pick up 5 mins later and would meet/take them to your car.

Have you asked your school if that's possible .

Ohnoreally · 02/10/2021 18:52

@butmumineedit

At our school- we would let you drop your child off 5 mins earlier and pick up 5 mins later and would meet/take them to your car.

Have you asked your school if that's possible .

This is what I have done at my DDs school.

Also when I've done that, I have called the school to let them know she's there and then they've come to the gate from a decent distance away and I've watched her walk down the path and go in with the staff member who's waiting.

Give them a call, if they want her in they could meet you half way.

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 18:52

@butmumineedit

At our school- we would let you drop your child off 5 mins earlier and pick up 5 mins later and would meet/take them to your car.

Have you asked your school if that's possible .

I don't own a car, I'd have to walk, school know this. If I need a car which is very rare I borrow one off a family member whose car I'm insured on, but they need it for work so can't lend it me regularly.
OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 02/10/2021 18:53

As a close contact it would be recommended that she has a PCR. Get a postal one.
By the time it arrives, you need a day to do it and a day to post it with another day or so for results…..
In the meantime she can’t go to school, so she’d need to have work at home? Just a thought OP!

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 18:55

@QueenofLouisiana

As a close contact it would be recommended that she has a PCR. Get a postal one. By the time it arrives, you need a day to do it and a day to post it with another day or so for results….. In the meantime she can’t go to school, so she’d need to have work at home? Just a thought OP!
Thank you, I will try that, school are saying because she's under 18 she doesn't need to isolate or test, I will look into the guidence.
OP posts:
Mindymomo · 02/10/2021 18:57

If you are on day 5 of symptoms, then it’s another 5 days of isolation, so DC can go back to school on Friday.

QueenofLouisiana · 02/10/2021 18:58

She will need to test. Your Track and Trace info should say that. They may debate isolating while waiting for results, we just said DS had an inconclusive result and school didn’t want him in at that point.
I just think that timeline would take you pretty much to next weekend, by which time you can go out again.

PermanentTemporary · 02/10/2021 18:58

Is there anything on your council website about local support? I'd email your councillor - ours would definitely know and would put you in touch with a contact who might be able to help.

Im sorry to be that person but I thought you weren't supposed to get in the car...

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 18:59

@Mindymomo

If you are on day 5 of symptoms, then it’s another 5 days of isolation, so DC can go back to school on Friday.
We're released at 23.59 on 8th September so she won't be back until Monday 11th as I started with symptoms on Tuesday, tested Wednesday, results in on Thursday.

DD hasn't been in since Tuesday.

OP posts:
Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 19:00

@PermanentTemporary

Is there anything on your council website about local support? I'd email your councillor - ours would definitely know and would put you in touch with a contact who might be able to help.

Im sorry to be that person but I thought you weren't supposed to get in the car...

I didn't, I don't own my own car.

There's a walk in testing site I booked an appointment for and walked to it after I got a positive LFT.

OP posts:
containsnuts · 02/10/2021 19:00

Are you worried that she will she be marked as unauthorised absence if you keep her off?

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 19:01

@containsnuts

Are you worried that she will she be marked as unauthorised absence if you keep her off?
Yes because school have pretty much said she will be.
OP posts:
Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 19:02

@containsnuts also worried about the impact on her education, she already has lots to cope with and is behind.

OP posts:
kateg27 · 02/10/2021 19:05

I think I'd be annoyed at my parents for being so selfish as not to choose to be vaccinated, especially if I had a child with health needs.

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 19:06

@kateg27

I think I'd be annoyed at my parents for being so selfish as not to choose to be vaccinated, especially if I had a child with health needs.
They have their reasons, I have to respect them, it's them suffering the consequences now as neither of them can work while off. I am at least still work albeit less than I usually would as I have always wfh
OP posts:
kateg27 · 02/10/2021 19:09

@GreyTriangleCatEars I've been a single parent, I really feel for you in this circumstances.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 02/10/2021 19:14

I wouldn't worry to much about what her absence is recorded as, its circumstances well out of your control. Education wise just do what bits you can at home whether it be reading, times tables, spelling, etc.
If there's something specific your dd is specifically interested in, why not do your own little project on it, drawing pictures, finding out information, making posters or writing poems or stories about said subject. It might not necessarily be what the teacher would do in school but it covers some of the basic skills used every day.

Original poster
GreyTriangleCatEars · 02/10/2021 19:16

@Wellbythebloodyhell

I wouldn't worry to much about what her absence is recorded as, its circumstances well out of your control. Education wise just do what bits you can at home whether it be reading, times tables, spelling, etc. If there's something specific your dd is specifically interested in, why not do your own little project on it, drawing pictures, finding out information, making posters or writing poems or stories about said subject. It might not necessarily be what the teacher would do in school but it covers some of the basic skills used every day.
Ohh great idea thank you, there's loads of things she'd love to do. Could write stories, build it out of lego. You've set me off now thank you.
OP posts:
User5827372728 · 02/10/2021 19:18

I wouldn’t worry and keep her home and do lots of fun learning at home as it sounds like you’re feeling up to it!

containsnuts · 02/10/2021 19:20

Honestly, if I was in your position I'd just phone DD in with some mysterious D&V bug and they won't want her within 100 mile radius! Don't feel guilty about her missing a few days of school, it's an emergency, what else are you supposed to do?. It's only a few days.