Too unwell to get children to primary school

[Stixk]

If you’re unwell and recovering ..but too poorly to take your children to school, what do you do ?
No one else to help .
Do you tell the school or not? Please can someone advise on this .

You just tell them the truth, OP. It helps them to support your dc. I would email your child’s teacher, tell them briefly what your situation is, what the children know, and ask them to be aware that they might need support.

Then you could say that you are concerned about being able to get your children to school post surgery / during treatment, as you don’t have family support easily available. And ask whether the school / LA have anything in place to help in similar situations.

Tell the school, they were very helpful when I couldn't do the school run.

I have a friend who is very unwell. Her dc are much older but one of the first things she did was let their school know that they might need support.

Best of luck with the treatment

You tell them the truth. Then they go over what they can or cannot do and who else could help.

A lady I don't know had a terrible accident. With her permission the school asked me to take her child and I was happy to do so. They worked out the location etc.

Be honest with the school, about your health and how you need help to get the wee ones to school. There's no shame in asking for help.
I hope it all goes well for you.

@Stixk I started feeling really ill yesterday all of a sudden. It was during the afternoon school run and i had to cab back . It's 10.00-13.00 per trip . So i did not take them today otherwise it would have cost me at least 40.00.

I don't understand the comments about if your to unwell to do the school run your to unwell to look after your children . What do single parents do with ( no) support put their kids in foster care till they are better.

Being at home with kids when ill is very different to going out and about etc.

Anyway op I told the school the truth they were fine.

I feel for you OP, ignore the snide comments. Tell the school about your situation honestly, they might be able to signpost you to further support. Best of luck

I had this in the pandemic tested positive and had to isolate but DS negative so could have gone in..I emailed school they didn't offer any solutions so he stayed off

To the OP and anyone in similar circumstances, don't struggle alone, especially if you are lonely parent, ask for help. Start with the school, then try hospital/church/ SS until you get some support. I realise there's a fear of SS getting involved but actually, if you are struggling due to illness, you need help and it's better to get a plan in place sooner rather than later.

I was called once by social services who had been given my number by the school. They asked if I could take a young lady to school with my kids for a few weeks as his mum had broken her leg. Let the school know the problem and they may be able to help.

School will have seen this plenty of times before - despite what some people on here are determined to believe, there are plenty of situations where a parent is unable to get their children to school.

I'd start by contacting your children's teachers to explain the situation and ask them to keep an eye on them over the next week while. Then say something like "While I'm recovering, I'm not going to be able to do the school run, so I'm looking into alternative options. I wondered whether you've come across a situation like this before and can suggest anyone who may be able to help out."

Next up I'd try the class WhatsApp if you have one, or message the parents whose numbers you have. If you don't want to ask directly, just ask them whether they know of anyone who lives nearby and might be willing to help.

Hopefully you'll get some offers of help; if not, try speaking with your medical team or an associated charity if there's one for your condition.

I had this. DH was working away and I woke up with flu. Full on flu.
I tanked myself up with painkillers and armed myself with a sick bag. i got dd dressed, breakfasted and I managed to get down the drive before my vision greyed out and my legs gave way.
I had to flag a parent walking past with a kid in the same school uniform. Thanks to the whatsapp class group i managed for the next week. And i was better enough to do the school runs after that. It was hard and stressful though. Dd aged 5 lived on toast and frozen pizza for a week as i couldnt cook anything

I’m a school governor. Talk to the school. It won’t be the first time they’ve come across this sort of situation and they may have some suggestions you haven’t thought of. They will want your child in school and will work with you to make that happen

But what do I say to the school? Talk to the head/ the teacher. I don’t particularly want to discuss my situation with the office people.

Honestly, this has come at a really rough time. I could do without it and I really really need some support.

Thank you all so much 🧡

Talk to the head. Be as open as you can be about your situation. If things are going to be tough at home, it makes sense for the teacher to be aware, as it might affect your child. But even if it doesn't, the teacher will want to be extra sensitive to her.

You can, if course, ask for your situation to be kept confidential apart from the 'need to know' people like her and the class teacher. If the school has a family worker (who might have a different title) you could approach them first.

Phone the school and ask for an appointment with whoever you choose. If the office staff ask what for, simply say that it's a personal matter.

(I'm a recently retired teacher, btw)

Can you ask the office to set up a time to call the head or teacher about a personal matter which will impact attendance and leave it at that?

Email the office and ask for a meeting with the head and teacher to discuss a personal matter.
In the meeting give a top line description. I have been diagnosed with X. To treat it I will need treatment with Y recovery time followed by further treatment for Z time. Surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy/physiotherapy is more than enough description you don't need to go into detail about that surgery or what medication.
During this time I might struggle with doing ABC and need the following support. I would write a list of all school activities over the last two weeks and what adjustments you might need for each. For example there's probably the possibility of days blurring into one so could you keep a spare pe kit/forest school clothes at school in case you forget it's a pe day and send them in their uniform to save you having to find your way to the school with the pe kit midday.

If the prolonged illness will have an impact on finances it might be worth talking to them about the criteria for things like free school meals or similar schemes.

First of all I hope it all goes well for you.
If undergoing cancer treatment, contact your medical team and explain tge situation regarding children. They msy be able yo put uou in touch with organisations that can offer support.
I would aldo reach out to childrens school and explain tge situation. They have discretionary funds that may be able to fund transport from your home to the school with a supervision.
Reach out to people, most will be supportive in such a situation.
Takd care and I wish you well in a healthy recovery.

Apologies for terrible spelling errors. Did make the post in a rush.

I know! People asking if they’re safe. What?

I think it’s pretty obvious that being well enough to supervise children contained in a house is very different from being well enough to drive or even do the school run on foot.

And suggesting travelling with a sick bucket is ridiculous.

Let the school know. They maybe able to help you. My school have collected and dropped off kids numerous times for reasons similar to yours.

I would definitely ask on school parents group/Facebook - I would have no hesitation picking up neighbours kids and walk them down with my two, and we could pick up after school most days as well. I wouldn't think twice about it to be honest, even if I don't know the parents very well. And there are parents who come from further afield at our school who I've no doubt would call in the car and pick up/drop off as well. People are generally kind.

Well it is certainly not a valid reason for absence from school.

What's the travel situation? Is it just a walk or do they need driving?

How old are they? Can any of the kids walk by themselves?

How long would this situation last?

Message the class WhatsApp, there should be a few people(not necessarily friends) that will offer .

Worst case scenario, talk to the head, be honest, explain the situation and ask if they can support in any way and what do they suggest.Dropping off and picking up earlier/later to avoid crowds or not have to rush as much. Staff at my school have picked up or taken kids home at some point or another due to circumstances.