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Original poster

Sending kids to school until 6pm - how does this "help families"?

306 replies

gretagrape · 30/01/2014 09:14

To me, it feels as though they are looking at this in totally the wrong way. The idea is that children will attend school until 6pm to help working parents. Why don't they look at it the other way around, eg, create an economy where it is normal for people (not just parents) to work flexible hours and to get part-time SKILLED jobs that pay a decent hourly rate, so children don't have to be holed up in school for longer than most office workers.
I'm so depressed at this government's lack of lateral thinking.

OP posts:
ggh197934 · 30/01/2014 21:41

Back to the original point. Do any of you seriously want your kids to leave the house at 8am....get home at 7pm...straight to bed....up again at 7am for school. Monday to Friday. Really?? Whether you work or not is this really the day by day life you want for your children? Seriously?

scottishmummy · 30/01/2014 21:42

I'm out house 12hr day
Happy to do it
What your point

morethanpotatoprints · 30/01/2014 21:44

Scottish

Do you have 23k or 30k spare for school fees, you should have as you and your oh both work.
Or do you have other things you need to pay for? duh

Worriedthistimearound · 30/01/2014 21:44

Yes but if I worked then DH would earn less thus paying less tax. My tax would not make up the shortfall thus me not working means more tax us paid collectively by this household.

JassyRadlett · 30/01/2014 21:47

I don't think there's many on this thread who've said that compulsory education for extended hours sounds amazing. I think it sounds mad, it reduces choice for families, access to specialised afterschool activities, and doesn't take account of how teachers actually work.

There. No working parent bashing needed.

scottishmummy · 30/01/2014 21:48

Look the only duh is you want advantage of private education but won't work
You're entitled in wanting advantage whilst making absolutely no contribution

Worriedthistimearound · 30/01/2014 21:49

Oh and that 'waged partner' is also the beneficiary both economically and practically of this non-waged partner. My being at home facilitates him earning what he does. But none of this is relevant. This is not about women and their choices. It's about finding the best solution for both working parents and children.

morethanpotatoprints · 30/01/2014 21:49

worried

You ought to know by now, unless you are out 12 hours a day and go to work, well you can't possibly have a good life, or fun, or better off than the people working for 12 hours a day. Grin

Its ridiculous this notion that you have to work when you have children.
It is a personal choice and what's best for your family.

pointythings · 30/01/2014 21:51

ggh No, emphatically I do not want this. Even when mine were in childcare they didn't have this - we had substantial family time morning and evening. I have chosen not to climb up the pay scales for this reason, because with higher pay come longer and longer hours. Which is why I will home ed if this comes in.

Thanks for pulling the thread back on track.

morethanpotatoprints · 30/01/2014 21:54

Scottish

I am doing the best for my family and making sure that they/we have the best life possible.
I'm sorry that doesn't involve going out to work, but it doesn't.
As for wanting advantages doesn't everybody?

I think the subject of after school childcare being provided in schools is a good idea for those who want this. It should never be compulsory.

scottishmummy · 30/01/2014 21:55

Potato,you want a good life with private education fir dd,but you refuse to work
That's utterly priceless. You won't contribute to fees but are hoping for fees paid
If magic grants don't appear will you feel bad you didn't work to pay for the fees

HanSolo · 30/01/2014 21:56

morethan it's not a 'personal choice' when you expect others to fund your lifestyle! Angry

Sure- we could all jack in working, stay at home, claim tax credits, and watch the country's coffers empty. How long do you think that would last?

How exactly are you going to provide quality music tuition, sports participation, cultural experiences such as theater and concert performances if you are (as you put it) 'poor'? How does HE improve your child's life?

scottishmummy · 30/01/2014 21:57

Yes worried you're facilitating a man progress by giving up work
That's patriarchy
Will he support your return to work?put something money aside for you to retrain

Worriedthistimearound · 30/01/2014 22:00

morethan, actually I disagree. I think you're being too black and white. I'm very fortunate not to need to work from a financial pov therefore my choice is an easy one . However, the country is full of many thousands if women who simply need to work to put food on the table. If my husband was suddenly out of work then I'd need to work to feed everyone. No amount of sacrifices or downsizing would allow me to sah.
I'm also appalled at the notion of choosing a benefits lifestyle just so you can sah. I do it because I am fortunate enough to have the choice. If DH earned minimum wage then that choice simply wouldn't be open to me.

Ubik1 · 30/01/2014 22:02

I have a sneaking suspicion my three would choose the ipad...

elastamum · 30/01/2014 22:04

Mine leave the house at 7.30am and I have just picked DS1 up along with a huge pile of flithy Rugby kit - I dont think he is traumatised by his long school days - in fact he looks as happy as larry.

I dont think he would be any happier with me working part time Grin

JingleJoo · 30/01/2014 22:06

Interested to know how many SAHPs are dads? Cos it seems to me its only women who are making sacrifices. How many SAHMs on this thread would do a swap with their DHs, seeing that it only matters that DCs have as parent at home.

ggh197934 · 30/01/2014 22:06

Whats the point in them coming home at all, may as well leave them there all week and save on the petrol too. And when will they have time for a bath between 7pm and 6am? or will the teachers do that for you too?
This was never meant to be a dig at working mums and I know loads of people have jobs they enjoy and don't want to leave and that's fine. I agree it keeps you in the loop and gives you independence as a woman blah blah blah..... It seems you have more of a problem with me than I have with you.
But make the job the part-time part of your life..not your kids.

morethanpotatoprints · 30/01/2014 22:07

Scottish

more than 90% at this school don't pay the fees, so no, no guilt.
When did I ever say I expect others to fund my choice.
When did I ever say I wanted others to pay for ammunition and armed services to bomb innocent civilians, but you do.
I'm not sure how you can sleep at night Grin
I love the fact that some tax payers feel they are entitled to have a go at parents who choose not to work, but forget the horrible things their money pays for.

Hans.
My dd has private music tuition on 3 instruments, other 2 her dad teaches her. She has private language tuition and visits the theatre and concert halls regularly. I'm not sure she could have better chances tbh.

I haven't put it as poor, I argued that low income doesn't make you poor.

Worriedthistimearound · 30/01/2014 22:08

It's not because he's a man Grin it's because he's a lawyer working for an investment bank and I'm a teacher. If our earning potential was reversed our choices would be different. He works with another lawyer whose DH is a physio. In their relationship the roles are reversed as his warning potential is comparable with mine. Both his DS and my DH do s lot of travelling to the US.

And he doesn't need to put money away to help me retrain. I will return to my professional role once my youngest is in school. And yes, if I wanted to go back he would most definitely be willing to review of change his role to make this possible. He has always said that. I am not the little wifey who keeps home for him. We have a partnership and it works this way for us at this time. Frankly, by making assumptions about it being about gender you are being as blinkered as sahms who believe everyone could sah if they just curbed their waitrose habit!

JassyRadlett · 30/01/2014 22:09

GGH, you were doing so well until your last sentence.

JassyRadlett · 30/01/2014 22:10

Jingle, curiously, when I've asked that question things tend to go a bit quiet.

JingleJoo · 30/01/2014 22:11

It means a lot to me to be an equal to my DH. We both work, we both deal with childcare, domestic issues etc. He probably would earn more if I 'facilitated' it by SAH, but I don't see my worth measured by assisting my DH to succeed. I wasn't to achieve too.

I am constantly amazed by the number of SAHMs I know who have no pensions, and even a few who are given housekeeping!

scottishmummy · 30/01/2014 22:12

But you are the wee wifey,enacting the mummy at home.man earns £££ externally
If he well paid he proportionately pays more to costs if you work.its not a 50:50 split
Good luck getting back into employment if you take prolonged home off

JingleJoo · 30/01/2014 22:13

Also, I'm sure I would earn more if my DH 'facilitated' it by SAH.