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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let my daughter homeschool my younger daughter?

127 replies

dancemummy7 · 04/05/2020 08:35

I am a key worker, so I am still going to work on weekdays. However, I made the decision to not send my kids to school as my dd has a compromised immune system and I don't want to risk it if its un-necessary. My 15 year old has now left school and is no longer receiving work from her school, and I know if i didn't give her something to do, she wouldn't do anything. Therefore, I made the decision to allow my 15 year old to homeschool my 5 year old, as they don't really learn that much in reception that my daughter wouldn't be able to handle. Everyday, my daughter sends me pictures of them baking, painting, doing ‘pe’ etc, and I love the fact they have this time to bond (to be fair, shes doing a better job than I would haveGrin) My neighbour’s think a 15 year old is incapable of teaching a younger child? Is anyone else doing this? Surely, as-long as they’re staying out of trouble and being creative they should be fine?

OP posts:
Traviis · 04/05/2020 11:22

Therefore, I made the decision to allow my 15 year old to homeschool my 5 year old, as they don't really learn that much in reception that my daughter wouldn't be able to handle

This is great news for people who have trained for years in Early Years!

SleepingStandingUp · 04/05/2020 12:07

This is great news for people who have trained for years in Early Years! yes clearly op came on to infer her 15 yo is basically as educated and qualified as a reception teacher 🙄🙄

Traviis · 04/05/2020 12:47

She didn't claim that her DD was as educated or qualified, nope, just that she's as capable as.

Thurmanmurman · 04/05/2020 12:57

Sounds great. Family should be a team. To be honest a 15 year old would probably do a better job as they will still remember things, long since forgotten by adults. I'm constantly having to Google stuff!

AndMyHairWillShineLikeTheSea · 04/05/2020 13:03

She didn't claim that her DD was as educated or qualified, nope, just that she's as capable as.

Capable to teach and play with her wee sister for 4 hours a day is not the same as being capable to be responsible for the education of a class of 30.

SleepingStandingUp · 04/05/2020 13:08

Well OP is a grown up and can clarify herself if she thinks her 15 yo is as capable as her child's teachers to provide a full education to her 5 yo but i think you're reaching.

Parents as being expected to deliver educational learning at an acceptable level, and none of that is beyond the reach of a patient 15 yo.

Today we've had (reception class) dividing by two, 9 blending/spelling words, writing practice of 0 and 1 and putting 3 sentences in order. This afternoon we have a picture to do of the three little pigs and a quiz about it. All of that OP's daughter could do and it will be delivered by me adequately but we all know the teacher would do a far better job.

It doesn't imply we're AS capable as the teachers, just that we'll do for the interim.

Greenmarmalade · 04/05/2020 13:11

Teaching her sibling is an educational experience for her too. What a fantastic idea!

Loop3x5 · 04/05/2020 13:22

Sounds ideal. My year 10 would be much better equipped to school my year 6 than me - and would be happy to if she wasn't still working herself.

BabbleBee · 04/05/2020 13:26

Absolutely fine. My Yr11 / 16yo is helping my Yr10 with homeschooling - it’s great revision for her and she knows more than I do! She’s also been doing stuff with my 7yo, making quizzes and baking with her. It’s keeping her busy, giving her a purpose and it’s lovely seeing them all working together.

MorganKitten · 04/05/2020 13:26

This is great news for people who have trained for years in Early Years!

I’m fully trained in early years and during this pandemic don’t see a problem

Thelnebriati · 04/05/2020 13:28

Families should pull together but its sad to see a young girl neglect her own education.

2bazookas · 04/05/2020 13:42

Great idea.. Your daughter sounds loving, and very mature, sensible, capable and responsible . Lots of valuable life and employment skills!!!

At the very least this gives her great skills- experience to put on her CV; at best maybe she'll want to go into a career as nursery nurse or whatever.

Bookaholic73 · 04/05/2020 13:45

Great idea! I think it’s lovely for them both!
My son is 16 and only has 1 mandatory piece of coursework and some pre 6th Form prep. I’m not making him do other work that won’t even be counted towards anything.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 04/05/2020 13:51

Sounds like a good idea - keeps the older one from getting bored.

As for the comments she's not old enough to look after a child alone - I believe teen pregnancies/births have decrease in recent years, but some teenagers do have babies/children of their own.

My sister, ten years older, looked after me (not homeschooling, but she used to read with my brother & I) in school holidays - worked OK.

Dixiechickonhols · 04/05/2020 13:59

Sounds lovely. I’d definitely be delighted with older daughter and tell her what a help it is. If she was still in bed then little one would have to be babysat at school risking covid and you’d be stressed trying to fit in school after work. They will remember this time together fondly.

Dixiechickonhols · 04/05/2020 14:03

Most schools are not setting work for yr 11. So yr 11 have effectively left school and got a longer summer break. Babysitting is a typical teen summer job. Not sure why people think it’s odd. Lots of children finish school age 15 if they are summer born. They will then start at a 6th form or college in the September.

StripyHorse · 04/05/2020 19:56

That sounds lovely OP. Your daughter has the same level of education as a lot of parents so why wouldn't she be able to do this. Obviously being an actual reception teacher is more complex, but as few children are being 'home schooled' by a qualified teacher, then it is no different... except that your oldest daughter doesn't have work responsibilities to contend with so can devote her full attention to her sister.

GrumpyHoonMain · 04/05/2020 20:17

Sounds good to me.

Sewrainbow · 04/05/2020 20:21

Sounds fantastic idea, I'd have loved that at her age. If shes happy then itsxwin win for you; bonding for the children, childcare for you and DP and the little one will be learning loads, as pp said your eldest is probably got more patience and enthusiasm than a lot of parents with umpteen other things to worry about Smile

Fromthebirdsnest · 04/05/2020 20:28

That's lovely , can I borrow her?😂😂😂 x

Sewrainbow · 04/05/2020 20:30

Are pp really being all offended about the op saying the reception work is manageable for a 15 year old to teach. Hmm

Of course that isnt implying that reception teachers are worthless. The girl isn't managing a class of 30 nor is she a qualified teacher it just means she can adequately explain simple tasks like dividing by 2 for the benefit of a 4 year old, her sister she already has a rapport with, that's no different than any parent playing with their child or doing simple homework tasks. Reception age work is play based anyway.

You never know it may spark an interest in teaching or childcare which will benefit future generations.

ghostmous3 · 04/05/2020 20:38

My dd left school at 15. She is August born.

Dont understand the confusion personally.

She did her gcses and had the results before her 16th birthday

I think it's fine op. Lovely thing for your eldest daughter to do.

1busybee · 04/05/2020 20:42

I think that’s lovely and as a keyworker myself struggling with this guilt trip please don’t let your neighbours make you feel bad. She is more than capable and your youngest will by no means miss out - what an amazing opportunity for them both.

DamnYankee · 04/05/2020 21:04

Ignore your neighbor. Not her business, is it?
Perhaps your daughter will love it enough might pursue teaching as a career.

AlpacaGoodnight · 04/05/2020 21:11

This sounds absolutely lovely to me!