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Struggling with home schooling and work

19 replies

Mir91 · 15/05/2020 16:21

I'm a single parent of 3, aged between 12 and 18 and I'm working. Can't afford to give up work, and can't get the time to manage the homeschooling. 18 year old is minding them while I work. Got yet another call from school about work not being being handed in. My 13yo uses an iPad for schooling, but Internet is hit and miss here at the best of times....so he is struggling big time and the 12 yo has work emailed every Sunday evening, but most of it is logging onto online portals which we can't do either, the work is mounting up. I feel like I'm failing them.. Anyone else in same situation and any tips on how to handle it would be greatly appreciated.

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Ilovecats14 · 15/05/2020 16:58

No tips, but I'm failing too! Mines 13. Try not to get stressed about it. Mines logging on shortly after he wakes up (whenever that is) but always needs help which I can't always do when working (he calls my office when I'm there). I'm just telling him to move on to the next thing and we will save what he needs help with for the weekend when I'm home (will see if that happens). You can't do much if the internet's being bad, the schools will hopefully understand this. My sons school dont call us when things are late. He has loads overdue but he's working through it at his own pace. He did history homework today and emailed it in, then I noticed it wasnt even due yet, but he cracked on and didn't need help so it's fine with me.

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TheFallenMadonna · 15/05/2020 17:03

Have you told the school you have internet access problems?

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BuffaloCauliflower · 15/05/2020 17:05

Have you spoken to the school about not having good enough internet access?

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Mir91 · 15/05/2020 18:29

Yes, I have explained this every time to them. I asked that stuff be sent to my email that I could print out at work and my son could do this using the books. They won't do it

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orangesandlemo · 15/05/2020 18:43

Yep failing here too. My kids ages 5 and 7 and they have been living in front of their games and iPads. I work for the nhs and been crazy busy working from home and dh has had two big deadlines for clients and can't afford to miss them.

I am exhausted and fed up of the school sharing pictures of the other kids with their parents and all the work they have done or kids achievements because my biggest achievement is getting them dressed and feeding them at the moment

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SoloMummy · 15/05/2020 19:13

Is there any possibility of improving the WiFi?

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BuffaloCauliflower · 15/05/2020 19:22

If they’re not willing to vary it then it’s not your fault if it can’t get done. They should be aware that not everyone will have the resources to have multiple children online all day every day

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CuckooCuckooClock · 15/05/2020 19:24

Can’t you access it at work and print it?

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Mir91 · 15/05/2020 20:18

Its still an achievement. When I got the second call from the school today I asked what was been done for the children who never had ipads in the first place or how were the school planning on covering the subjects with those kids when they reopen and he replied that they weren't planning to. It's tough luck basically. My BP is through the roof at the moment

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Mir91 · 15/05/2020 20:20

I contacted the provider who blamed the modem so I bought a new one. It's made no difference. They are saying that there is no issue with coverage and I can't change provider either because I'm stuck in a contract.

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Mir91 · 15/05/2020 20:21

If they emailed a list to me I could print it and I have asked that they do it but most of the stuff involves online forums or educational sites and I can't access those. They are inbuilt on the iPad

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SionnachRua · 15/05/2020 20:25

Can you use your phone as a hotspot and get the iPad online using that?

I can see why the school won't give a separate work list if what you want is very different to what they are providing. It is hard for you though. Maybe just forget the school plans and work through the books yourself - concentrate on English and Maths.

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SoloMummy · 15/05/2020 21:18

Have you moved the router so it's not on the floor and the waves not interrupted by walls or furniture?

www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/ask-our-expert/boosting-a-wifi-signal-ask-our-expert

Worst case, could you use your mobile to.provide the connection for your children's ipad?

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Ladyglitterfairydust · 15/05/2020 21:23

As a teacher I really think school should be doing more to help you. My school will print out paper copies of all work for pupils who are struggling to access it electronically. They’ll either post it home each week or parents can collect it from school. We’ve also let pupils borrow textbooks if they can’t access the online version. You’re doing your best so try not to worry about it. School need to step up here.

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BendingSpoons · 15/05/2020 21:27

This may be a random suggestion, but years ago we had bad internet for ages. My flatmate's boyfriend changed the channel on the router and it made a massive difference. You can look it up online, possibly your kids could try themselves.

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SoloMummy · 15/05/2020 21:30

Alternatively, just get them doing the lessons on Oak academy and maybe watching the bitesize channel? 9am for primary and 10am for secondary.

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KaleJuicer · 15/05/2020 21:33

It’s horrendous. In our case we have great WiFi but kids who just can’t concentrate. And I need to do 6-7 hours of work during normal office hours (ie people are waiting on a response from me) so I can’t supervise. They haven’t handed anything in in weeks.

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Mitzymoo15 · 19/05/2020 13:30

I am a work at home mum, for the time being, with a 12 yr old daughter and a husband who is a key worker and works shifts, days, nights etc. I am struggling trying to supervise my daughter, as well as do my own work, as well as working around my husband who regularly does night shifts and needs quiet in the house. My daughter needs lots of supervision and as much as I try to supervise, it doesnt always work!! What is anyone's best advice. I am due to go back into work in June and could in theory send my daughter into school as my husband is a key worker but she is refusing point blank to be sent back to school, help!!

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Mir91 · 19/05/2020 14:42

Update

School have started emailing me and stuff being printed out at work. Now it's becoming manageable.

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