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Original poster

Single parent with no way to get my son to school

168 replies

wobblywinelover · 23/11/2021 20:59

I've had a PCR test today and awaiting results... BUT if it comes back positive i'm not sure what i'm going to do about getting my son to school if his PCR comes back negative (he currently has no symptoms). I'm triple jabbed and he had his first vaccine a couple of weeks ago. I normally have to drive him 15 minutes to school, there's no way he can get there on his own unless I send him in a taxi (which are few and far between in the area I live in). No one else to take him. He's in year 10 and i'm concerned about him missing yet more school work. What have other people done in this situation? I know worst case scenario i'm going to have to keep him off but this is not ideal obviously. Thanks.

OP posts:
yikerspipers · 23/11/2021 21:23

@claymodels

Really? Why?

Personal choice.

Sorry, what? If the OP is negative, no one needs to isolate.
MeltedButter · 23/11/2021 21:25

I'm pretty sure there's no law around self isolating.
Whether it's ethical is another matter

claymodels · 23/11/2021 21:30

Oh god mashed potato brain here

I meant I would keep them off if I was POSITIVE

BlushBlushBlushBlushBlush

HermioneWeasley · 23/11/2021 21:32

I would drive him in

He sits in the back diagonally opposite to you and windows down

Cyw2018 · 23/11/2021 21:33

Assuming you feel well enough, i think I'd drive him to a sensible walking distance from school, drop him off and let him walk the rest of the way. I know it's not technically within the rules but nobody needs to know, and it's not going to adversely affect anyone.

mnahmnah · 23/11/2021 21:36

It shouldn’t be a problem for the school. At my school we would arrange for our lessons to be live on Teams for him to listen in. Or school could arrange a taxi. Speaking to school and seeing what they suggest will soon sort this OP, I wouldn’t worry. Hopefully you get a negative result tomorrow and it’s a non-issue!

HerLadySheep · 23/11/2021 21:36

I would just drive him to school, you live in the same house. Wear a mask, open a window and test daily. They are likely to be exposed to cases on a daily basis at school

OverTheRubicon · 23/11/2021 21:41

This is not allowed and I'm sure the school would have something to say about it if they found out

Really? It's a senior school, she's not walking him onto the grounds, and other pupils and teachers are at no meaningful increased risk given that they're sharing a house together full time anyway.

In that situation, if there's a viable homeschooling option then that would be my first choice.

If not, I'd probably be dropping him off too, it's a bad age to lose time, and it's not fair to have someone else drive him or a taxi when there's a decent chance he catches covid.

Megan2018 · 23/11/2021 21:45

I’d drive him if you are well. It will make zero difference to anyone.

shouldistop · 23/11/2021 21:46

@Playdoughcaterpillar

Do you live in the middle of nowhere? He's Y10 he should be able to get self to school. Can he cycle to a village/town?
I normally have to drive him 15 minutes to school, there's no way he can get there on his own unless I send him in a taxi (which are few and far between in the area I live in)

From the op

shouldistop · 23/11/2021 21:49

@MeltedButter

I'm pretty sure there's no law around self isolating. Whether it's ethical is another matter
Pretty sure you can be fined
Spongeboob · 23/11/2021 21:52

There really is no other way he can get to school at that age?

Cherrytart23 · 23/11/2021 21:57

Why does he need a lift to school? Surely there is some form of public transport he can take if not has he not got a bike. Independence is a great thing.

squee123 · 23/11/2021 21:59

For those saying it makes no difference to anyone if the OP drives him... what if she breaks down? What if she has an accident and requires emergency care? I really do think it is selfish to break the rules and drive given that you could be putting others at risk.

clatterclatter · 23/11/2021 22:00

I’d drive him in and stay in the car.

shouldistop · 23/11/2021 22:00

@Cherrytart23

Why does he need a lift to school? Surely there is some form of public transport he can take if not has he not got a bike. Independence is a great thing.
Op literally said in the opening post there's no other way to get there.
AnneElliott · 23/11/2021 22:02

I would drive him to a sensible walkable distance and drop him off there. I know it's against the rules but if you just do that and go straight home then where's the harm?

changingchanges2 · 23/11/2021 22:03

Drive him and stay in the car?

I know parents who have had to do this, no choice.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 23/11/2021 22:03

Stay home , rest and drive when you feel able
Missing school isn’t the end of the world

Cherrytart23 · 23/11/2021 22:07

@shouldistop she is clearly not in the middle of no where as school is 15 min drive away so there must be a bus service even if it means 2 buses.
Can he not ride a bike either lots of high school age kids bike to school.

I like said independence is a great thing.

Cherrytart23 · 23/11/2021 22:08

like i

HotPenguin · 23/11/2021 22:08

Just drive him and stay in the car. It's highly likely he will catch it from you and pass it on at school anyway, so I think the additional risk from some theoretical car accident scenario is not worth worrying about.

shouldistop · 23/11/2021 22:09

[quote Cherrytart23]@shouldistop she is clearly not in the middle of no where as school is 15 min drive away so there must be a bus service even if it means 2 buses.
Can he not ride a bike either lots of high school age kids bike to school.

I like said independence is a great thing.[/quote]
Op has said there's no bus.

There are plenty of rural schools with no bus stops nearby and roads too dangerous to cycle on

OverTheRubicon · 23/11/2021 22:10

@squee123

For those saying it makes no difference to anyone if the OP drives him... what if she breaks down? What if she has an accident and requires emergency care? I really do think it is selfish to break the rules and drive given that you could be putting others at risk.
That argument would.hold up when everyone was locked down and doing their best to isolate. But right now our schools are heaving with covid, our buses are full of people coughing with no masks... it's a 10 minute drive. Should op also not turn on the stove at home, in case she starts a fire? It's not a great option, but it's crazy if a year 10 is denied a week or more of education while there are entire classes of secondary kids who are sick and barely testing.
claymodels · 23/11/2021 22:11

she is clearly not in the middle of no where as school is 15 min drive away so there must be a bus service even if it means 2 buses.

I'm a bit confused as to how a 15 minute drive to school means you must have a bus service?

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