Mumsnet Talk

A day prepping in my new classroom today... DH was at work so I had to take the DCs (11 & 8) in with me. They did lots of pencil sharpening, cutting and laminating for me and seemed to enjoy it. They passed bits to me when I was doing high displays and offered their views on what looked best, which letters to use, etc. They also played lots of games on the IWB, their DS and ipad, so it wasn't all work.

Saw a friend later who is also a teacher. She was really shocked that I'd got my DCs doing jobs for me in their holidays.

Who was right?

BTW - I did ask the Head first, who said it was absolutely fine for them to be there.

Ignore her, you got some help and the DC had fun, sounds like a win/win situation

Did she say why she was so shocked? It seems fine to me, I bet they loved doing too and felt really important because they were helping Mummy. My DC love going into the office with their dad, when I was a child my Mum was a florist and I used to enjoy helping her occasionally. I enjoyed it less when I was older and did it as a proper, paid, Saturday job because the novelty wore off but it was still not bad.

DD is 10y and will sometimes come into work with me. I am a Y2 (some times y1) TA these days but if she has INSET the head/class teacher is happy for her to come in on occasion. e set her to work - if children are in school she may do some group work with them - a game, sitting and helping with a maths problem, helping on a craft table, etc. Sometimes we will get her sorting out stuff the role play area, sharpening pencils, helping sort stuff for a display, etc.

DD loves it! Mind, she will often try and make little worksheets for the age group at home on her computer, or mini paper based games. I have even used some in class.

Sounds like they had a great day ,ignore your friend .

She's just jealous, innit?

I see no difference between this and household chores. Good on you.

everyone! She seemed to think it was slave labour! Nice to hear your views :-)

I used to be an academic. During my DC's holidays, I was still at work and they most defiantly were not allowed. I had to work in the holidays whilst I sent them to crap holiday club.

Which would I prefer? Working in the school holidays and having to have the DC's with me sometimes or having to work in the school holidays and have someone else looking after them all the time? Actually, I know which I prefer....

My dc love doing this stuff at school.

Lol I used to do this all the time. Even got my dh in as well. Ignore her!

you were right, I'm amazed you got them to do so much tho, mine usually go out and kick a football on the field am

You were right, totally ok.

Can't understand why she was shocked - standard practice IME.

Thank you again all!

Feeling vindicated. Can thoroughly recommend an electric pencil sharpener to keep the slaves workers happy.

My 10-year-old would pay good money to use an electric pencil sharpener.

I used to do this when I was 8 upwards

I used to love going in in the school holidays, changing the big displays, sorting out the home corner pissing about with food colouring in the water play table

My children always did this. The only problem is once they are teenagers you have to pay them!