Is your child really too upset to go to school?

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A new report shows that over half of parents say they regularly allow an “emotional absence” from school and let their children miss school because they’re upset. It’s an easy trap to fall into, says Victoria Young, but unless the root cause is tackled, it can lead to more complex difficulties down the road

I

remember the moment I realised that my son’s repeated requests not to go to school were linked to something more serious than mere malingering in a bid for a duvet day. He had been out of school for what was, for him, a blissful week of Covid. The morning he was well enough to return, he had breakfast and got into his uniform. As he got ready to leave, he stood by the front door, and I could see that he was bracing himself before opening it. Then he just buckled, visibly crumpling and bursting into heartfelt tears. He literally begged me to let him stay home and not go to school.