Back to primary school after coronavirus

[Mumof2boys165]

Hi guys new here and need some advice, no judgements just advice. My son is 5 years old and his class has returned back to school I've said he's not going hubby said he has to he has to start learning again, which I get cos home schooling wasn't happening it was torture 😭. Anyway he wants him to go back nxt week (Mon 22nd June 2020) I'm sooo scared about him returning while so many people daily are still dying of covid, my hubby doesn't see the worry only that he should be going back. I'm not sleeping and he knows this he knows my concerns please someone help reassure me don't want guarantees it's not possible I know I just want reassurance. Thankyou

My DS is also 5 and in reception. He has been at school throughout as we are both keyworkers. He's now back in reception with his friends. They eat lunch in their classroom and only mix with the 14 children in their bubble. They have their own maths and writing lits in named bags. The school is shut on Friday afternoons for a deep clean. Last Friday his bubble was shut as a child displayed symptoms. Turned out to be hayfever but the school took it very seriously. My son is ecstatic to be back with his friends and this is the experience of all the children - they are all so happy. Send him back x

@Mumof2boys165

Hi guys new here and need some advice, no judgements just advice. My son is 5 years old and his class has returned back to school I've said he's not going hubby said he has to he has to start learning again, which I get cos home schooling wasn't happening it was torture 😭. Anyway he wants him to go back nxt week (Mon 22nd June 2020) I'm sooo scared about him returning while so many people daily are still dying of covid, my hubby doesn't see the worry only that he should be going back. I'm not sleeping and he knows this he knows my concerns please someone help reassure me don't want guarantees it's not possible I know I just want reassurance. Thankyou

You need help with your anxiety. And some fact checking

The risk to a child of that age dying from covid, is around 1 in 3 million

Try not to worry. My little girl has gone back. Admittedly it's a small village school so weren't large numbers anyway and even fewer now but it has done her the world of good, she is very happy seeing her friends and teacher again. They are doing a deep clean every week.

Please contact your GP. Your anxiety levels are very concerning, and a much bigger danger than Covid for a healthy 5 year old.

My 5 year old is going back for 2 days from next week. Had no choice unfortunately as I’m back to work next week. It’s a small village school and they’ll be in really small bubbles which I’m so thankful for. But I am worried and understand your anxiety Surrounding it all. I think a lot of schools have done really well so far.

If you aren't teaching him, he has to go back.
Christ be a parent. His death risk from Covid is minuscule. His risk from no education? Flipping high.

Honestly the risk for a child is tiny, covid isn’t going anywhere, can’t keep your child home forever, they need to learn and socialise again. I can’t tell you how happy my 3yr old was after returning to nursery, made me so happy. I bet your child was in school the beginning of this year when there were more covid cases and less precautions in place

I don't see any wrong in you worrying to be honest! I would be worried too, my LO starts in September he's not attended preschool since lockdown and it's a very worrying time, I know that it's very rare for a child to die from the corona virus but people can die from flu also and no one is worried about that, I think schools are taking it very serious, and there is things in place, I think once ur LO starts back and been going for abit you will relax about the situation, my LO carry's a hand sanitiser and Iv taught him not to touch his face when out and about, I know he will time to time but I think it helps, hope it gets easier for you

Whoah... people are suggesting she needs anxiety medicine for a pretty legitimate ns very common concern? People ARE dying! And yes, the chance of a young child dying of Covid-19 is so so tiny. But that doesn't mean I would want my own child to get it! A friend's child ended up on a ventilator in hospital. It is rare but does happen. I'm a teacher and I can assure you that the risk of missing out on education for the last few weeks of the school year is not massive. Loads of kids from my school haven't come back because their parents are worried and that's absolutely acceptable, so I find it harsh that the OP is being bashed on this thread for being worried.

That said, while I don't feel that the risk to educational process of another few weeks off is high, I do think that mental health and well-being is a very real concern, along with social development. This is my greatest worry with young children and it's this that I would be weighing up with (very slight!) risk to health.

Just seen your thread.
Can I just say that there is nothing wrong with your anxiety levels and people on here commenting that you should see a gp because you're worrying too much is a load of bull. I am in the same boat as you. My daughter is also five and in reception year. Her class have gone back but out of 30 odd pupils, only 10 have returned. Give you a pretty big insight as to how many parents still don't feel comfortable sending their little ones back. I haven't sent my daughter back because I don't feel comfortable just yet. I'm sure her school have everything in hand but as a parent it's my decision and nobody else's. The home schooling hasn't always worked out every day but I know that she has taken in some things. Besides, she is only five, still so young. You do what you feel is best, go with your gut. My husband is like yours and keeps telling me to send her back. I've told him straight that i'll do it as and when I feel the time is right, if it is. You don't need medication for your anxiety, you're just a loving mother who is worried about her little one and dealing with a situation that none of us have ever experienced before. Everyone else can do one, it's your decision that counts. Big hugs.

Please have a look at the risks/ figures for children in the UK of dying from Covid-19.

There is more risk of your child dying in an accident on the way TO school than from Covid-19. But no one's saying stop walking/ driving to school are they?

Wow, you have had some harsh replies on here. Please ignore the daft be a parent comments.
You have early right to be concerned.

To reassure you, I'm teaching a year 1 bubble on my days in school and we have made it as safe as we can. Lots of hand washing and the children have been really resilient and adapted well. I think they are all benefiting from being around other children, even if their classroom has changed! Maybe ring your school and talk to somebody about the safety measures being put in place?

*every

I don't think a few more weeks off is going to be educational disaster for a 5yo

OP: posters are assuming that your family is at background risk, but you haven't posted if anyone in yor household is shielding or in the 'flu jab' risk group. Because there might be sound reasons to be more strictly distanced, and as these will be long term, you need to discuss them with the school

www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-what-are-the-coronavirus-risks-to-children

But ultimately it's up to us as parents to weigh up advantages and disadvantages to going back to school based on our own children and family circumstances. What's right for one family won't be right for everyone.

It is something only you and your husband can decide. But I work in infectious diseases (not on COVID specifically, but many of my colleagues do). My school age one is not in one of the year groups that has been able to go back, but if she was, she'd be the first one back through the door. School is good for them academically but also emotional (as is homeschooling with an engaged focused parent and lots of proper homeschool activities and socialisation). The risk is minimal to healthy children. I wouldn't have to think twice about it.

Approximately 40 000 kids per year get admitted to hospital due to household accidents. Reduced down to 4 months, that’s 13000 kids.
Around 2000 kids die (or get seriously injured) per year in car accidents. For a 4 month period, that’s about 680.
Admission for children due to Coronavirus are around 100 (intensive care under 20), and almost all had underlying conditions. A single digit number of children under 15 have died, almost all with underlying conditions.
Being a bit anxious about return to school is one thing, but not being able to sleep a completely different one. Please seek help! Id somebody would spend sleepless nights because their child had to travel in a car the next day, you would think it is extreme and the person is in need of help. The risk of a serious case of Covid-19 is A LOT smaller.

I think it's natural to be concerned, we're going through something very unknown.

However I think it's important you put it all into perspective, the chances of something happening to your LO are very very small. I think it's worrying that you're not sleeping though, that feels a little extreme and I would personally seek help for that if I was in your position

My DD is due to start back in Reception next week also. She should have gone back on 1st but various things meant she couldn't. Both DH & I are in agreement about her going. We aren't concerned about her getting infected, but we are concerned about her emotional well-being & education - whilst we have been doing most of the home schooling it has been incredibly hard & her interest & enthusiasm is waining everyday. She is desperate to go back, despite us telling her that most of her friends/class won't be there.
If she doesn't like it or it isn't working we'll pull her back out but for now we're all excited about her going back even though it's just for two days a week.