AIBU to think it is still term time???

[cola2019]

I am a key worker and work 30 hrs a week I have a 12 and a 13 yr old and although my 12 yr uses the school provision for key worker children 3 days a week my daughter doesn't. She gets herself up works out her own working timetable and gets on with her work so well she works so hard and never complains about the work but I am never home to be with her. BUT most of her friends have stopped working at home now and parents have e mailed in saying they have given up now and that their children and them are enjoying the freedom of no school. A few of her friends parents have been furloughed a few don't work and one has resigned from her job to be at home with her children. Her friends are all meeting up and because very few parents are working they can be dropped off to meet in town mid morning but I work every day so can't do this. I feel so guilty because I have to work I could resign to be with them but I need the money. I feel so guilty going off to work every day when other children are being taken here there and everywhere. AIBU to think that it is still term time and not the school holidays or is it because I am just jealous of other parents not needing to work? I just think she is going to look back on this time in the future and think that I was too busy working to be able to spend time with her or take her here there and everywhere so she can see her friends!!

[LemonadeAndDaisyChains]

I'm in UK, mine's still doing school work (secondary school)
Admittedly not as much as at the beginning of lockdown, but still doing about an hour or so a day.
My thinking is it would still be a school day so it's still one at home as well.

[tonercartridges]

And I'm sure your DD will understand that. If she was at school you wouldn't be at home doing fun stuff with her. Don't feel guilty, feel proud you have a conscientious child who is getting on with her work, and hopefully you'll have some fun time when the holidays do start!

[tonercartridges]

My DCs are still being nagged by me to do work. I'm lucky that I only work part time and can work from home, so I have been able to support them, but it's a fairly full time job (for me, to help them) so we don't do the recommended number of hours each day. And although they think I nag, I have allowed them out for bike rides and fun stuff, I just try to keep them on top of the basics.

The school has an arrangement where the tutors ring home from time to time. DS's tutor rang the other day (Yr 7) and said my DCs are doing as much work as any of the children, as far as he can see!

I agree - it seems a lot of parents must just have given up! I know it's hard if they are working full time, either at home or not - and some homes don't have easy access to enough devices to get online etc - but it is a worry! Having said that - all the parents I know and speak to are making their kids work, although my DCs say they have friends who aren't doing anything. I do feel for the schools trying to pick everything up whenever they do go back.....

[seenbeensbean]

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

It's, what? Three weeks til the end of term?

So if they were at school now they'd be doing residentials / days out/ DofEdinburgh / sports day / end of year play rehearsals.

Wind down time.

Not at any of my DCs schools they wouldn't, they didn't any other year.

[Ilovewillow]

Yep still term time in our house. My husband and I have worked throughout As we own our own business and most of our staff are furloughed so are working all hours. Our Yr 2 and Yr 7 are working every day and still having online music lessons. Albeit we often finish by 2.00 ish as we don't have the other school day events and no after school activities. Routine has helped us to maintain some stability I feel although I appreciate others may feel differently. Our Yr 7 does see a couple of friends but they are also working hard.

[Mummyshark2019]

Don't feel bad OP. You are being responsible and going to work to secure your family's future. It is still term time and kids should be working as they would be if they were at school. Mine does all set work and then some extra each day without fail. We still go out for walks and exercise every day, but ensuring that the child can keep a good routine is essential.

[DelurkingAJ]

DS1 is going to the childminder with strict instructions to get the work done and is doing so (with much better grace than he did for us before she reopened). His class are a mixed bag and whilst I know they’re little (Y2) I’m genuinely shocked that parents aren’t even listening to reading for 10 minutes a day. Clearly I do not say this.

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

It's, what? Three weeks til the end of term?

So if they were at school now they'd be doing residentials / days out/ DofEdinburgh / sports day / end of year play rehearsals.

Wind down time.

[OneOfTheGrundys]

I’m still teaching/planning remotely all day so my DC have to do their work! We all settle down for 6 or so hours a day and have weekends off. I often work evenings too but the kids don’t.
Lots of their friends (teens) have stopped bothering.

[HipTightOnions]

I’m a (state) secondary teacher and my school is teaching (remotely) a full programme of lessons, and will do until the end of term.

Around two-thirds of my classes are engaging well with lessons and have learnt virtually everything they would have learned in school.

One-third seem to have given up, and they will start with a big disadvantage next year.

[RickOShay]

@BogRollBOGOF
I completely agree with you. We are still trying but it’s getting harder!

[Namechange2p2p]

[Whendoesthisgeteasier]

And I bet it's the same parents complaining that their kids schools aren't doing enough

[Tellmetruth4]

Don’t feel guilty, you’re correct it definitely is still term time and no way would kids in England be winding down as early as June during a normal summer term.

Your kids are learning good skills and you won’t have to be scrambling around for catch-up sessions on top of a normal school timetable in September. The other kids can ditch the schooling for now but they’ll probably have to do double later so what your kids are doing is probably less stressful in the long term.

[TheOrigBrave]

My yr6 has been in school full time since 1st June, and thank goodness for that. I am a single parent working full time and lockdown when he wasn't at school was pretty hideous (I did have other factors as well).

They are bursting one yr6 bubble on the 3rd July but one bubble will remain until the end of term.

It's going to be hard enough over the summer with sports camps etc maybe not running so I"m very thankful he is occupied (and very happy) for as long as possible.

Regarding your situation OP, both my kids have had to get used to not being able to do all the things that kids with two parents at home or a SAHP can do. It's just the way it is.

[seenbeensbean]

No wind down time here, school are still doing lessons 9-3 and my DCs were in last week and are in next week. This week it's live lessons for them and others are in.

[Grasspigeons]

Mine is still working but i think he is in a small minority. We've got 4 weeks to go. Luckily he can do the work flexibly apart from the live lessons but these are only one a day.

[mineofuselessinformation]

Given that your daughter is working entirely independently, I think you should tell her how proud you are of her rather than feeling guilty about it!
She is laying down some amazing skills for when she gets older.
Just make sure that if we are allowed, she has some fab days in the school holidays to reward her and your other dc for their sensible choices.
And of course, encourage them to socialise when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

[BogRollBOGOF]

Most people I know with children of a variety of ages have been struggling. Few have any momentum left even if they hot iff to a decent start.
Highly motivated independent workers are a minority at anything younger than A-Level. They will have their reward with well-practiced skills and knowledge. Many families are just in energy-conservation mode now.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

Ds (6) is at school. Dd (11) is doing her work at home.

She has more free time than she would at school, so more freedom than usual. Her friends are similar so they do meet up, but I agree it’s important to keep going until the end of term.

I would think it’s fine to book a few days away if you can and want to while prices are lower, but we aren’t doing this.

[WonderWebbs]

Don't feel guilty OP it is still term time. My DD is in year 12 and she has live online lessons every day plus a fair amount of homework. School breaks up in two weeks just as the restrictions are being eased so she can catch up with friends then.

[justkeepmovingon]

*shit not shot!

[justkeepmovingon]

If it helps OP we are still working flat out, no beach trips and dropping off with friends. I run a business thats is slowly sinking and my DH has been full time throughout, and we feel bloody awful, we've literally had weekends to do any of the nice stuff, but our DS are bombarded with friends who's parents are off and furloughed or taking time out.

We will both have to be working flat out during the summer break as well, so for us the school work is keeping them busy, and summer break is going to be tough.

I think we are all just going to have to take this time and pop it into the "well that was a shot year" pile!

I'm just grateful we are all healthy.

Not that it helps you, but I just wanted to say you aren't alone.

[Chocolatepeanuts]

Here in NI we're approaching our final week, definitely wind down time. Mine are doing minimal amounts this week and next, but it would be minimal in school also!(primary)

[GinDaddyRedux]

They're a long time in school and work - a couple of weeks of wind-down in an unnatural moment in our national history is hardly going to destroy their futures.

Don't worry about what other people can and can't do.