07/11/2025
Possibly my most controversial post, but I saw a post by Dr Chatterjee this morning about burnout, and I just had to say something.
My eldest has been off school for the past four days with a flu-type virus. It’s completely wiped her out. She’s been worrying about her attendance and falling behind — but honestly, she’s in no fit state to go in.
The pressure being put on children to attend school, no matter how they’re feeling (physically, mentally or emotionally), is just crazy. We aren’t raising robots!
We even had a message from the attendance lead last night asking if we’d like a well-being call if she didn’t return today. I politely declined and explained that, despite her anxiety about missing school, her health has to come first.
It’s really made me question whether schools are, in some ways, fuelling this burnout culture — where being present in school or work is seen as more important than actually resting and recovering when you’re unwell.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand why attendance matters — but surely, there has to be a more compassionate balance?
✨ Have you noticed this pressure too — in schools, workplaces, or even in yourself? Let me know in the comments.
Love Lou 💜✨
