Am I a bad Mummy?

[Hellion]

My brother in law announced yesterday (in front of my son age 8) that he was going to keep his two sons at home today as it was too hot and they would only be watching films. My son - obviously - also wanted to stay at home but I said no as I don't want him to feel that everytime he doesn't feel like going or it's too hot or whatever that it's OK to bunk off. He accepted my decision without question, bless him, but now I feel really, really guilty because it's so hot and his cousins will have spent all day in the swimming pool and my poor little guy will be hot and miserable at school thinking he has the most horrible Mum in the world. Was I right to send him or should I have cut him some slack?

[China Doll]

Well for what its worth I think you did the right thing. Just make sure he has a really nice weekend. You don't sound like a bad mum to me at all.

[Loosehead]

You are a good mum for precisely the same reasons that you think you might not be. School days are precious and you shouldn't encourage your children to bunk off.

[nect4r]

Difficult situation.

Personally, I would have kept him at home. I got horribly sunburnt on Monday and hearing that it's even hotter today, I haven't even looked outside!

I would emphasise strongly that it would be a one off though.

[nect4r]

Just to add, I wouldn't call it bunking off, just keeping him at home in the interests of safety! I know that sounds horribly PC but a lot of schools force kids outside at lunchtimes in this weather, and after the way I was feeling after 10 minutes in it walking home from work yesterday, there's no way I'd force a kid to be in the sun.

[Robinia]

I've just heard on the news that some (primary I think) schools are, rightly in my opinion, sending children home early for the rest of the week.

[sexyairhead]

Of course you are not a bad mum.I personally would have kept him at home as it is so uncomfortable at school but it is your desicion.

[Rock'n'Roll]

Right decision. Next some parents'll be saying it's too cold or too wet. Too much molleycoddling goes on.

[Ed Strong]

Not a bad mummy, but a good one - preparing your son for his future life. As adults we all have to do things we don't like doing. Personally, I would have preferred to stay at home today instead of travelling to and from work in London on hot crowded trains but I also have a responsibility to the other people I work with. Therefore, no choice! :-(

Keep up the good work.

[redcrx]

I agree that you made the right decision. Kids need to be shown that they cant just not go to school because its too hot, cold, wet, or that they are too tired etc. Otherwise they will grow up thinking its ok to bunk off.
Im sure that the teachers will do their best to keep everyone cool today.

[Jules001]

My daughters school (secondary) sent home a letter yesterday stating that if the conditions in school become unbearable today with the temperatures predicted, they would be sending the children home. Well she hasn't appeared so looks like the school was ok, people still have to work and carry on their normal business or routines so as long as schools are sensible about providing access to drinks etc, allowing ties to be removed etc and letting the kids stay indoors at break time, I think children should still be expected to attend school

[spudqueen]

I'd have done exactly the same as you. I once used to give a lad a lift to school with my boys and one Monday his Mum phoned me and said he wouldn't be in school that day as it was his birthday and he wanted to spend his birthday money. I couldn't believe it, especially as school was breaking up that Wednesday for 2 and a half weeks, and I knew that they were going to Disneyland Paris on the Friday for a long weekend. I think I would have told him to save his money for then. Not only could I not believe that his Mum was pandering to him so much but it put me in an awkward position as the teachers were asking me where he was (I just said that his Mum had phoned me and said he wouldn't be in).
I think that by keeping children off school just because it's hot sends out the wrong message totally, they have to learn about commitment, whether to school, work, people or whatever, and how better to learn that by parents setting an example.

[noxlumos]

There is no right and wrong in this situation, just differences of opinion. I think your parenting is perfectly fine, but I also think your brother in law's is ok too. We all rear our kids with different methods and you lad sounds great, so no your not a bad parent and don't let anyone subliminally let you think you are :)

[xmrs_harmanx]

at the end of the day you could be prosecuted for it!!!

[Dollie]

just remember that at all through these nurturing years you are teaching your child life skills which will carry him forward into the big wide world. It goes without saying that he will still have to turn up for work come rain or shine when he's older and he will have to learn that there are just some things in life that you have to do no matter how much you don't wanna do them. Good on yer Hellion. Doll xx

[joko]

i think childhood is precious too, much more than a day at school, and one day off at the age of 8 won't hurt him or his future.

we rarely look back at our childhoods and wish we'd gone to school more, it is the fun we had that makes us nostalgic

as it is apparently the hottest day of the year so far, and schools in this country rarely have any kind on air con, i would have kept him home, and taught him something here - there are many other ways to learn and grow that looking at text books all day!