To abandon all attempts to "home school".

[ASmallMovie]

I've had enough. The learning grids, the links, two kids fighting for space on a small desk, tech problems, my own work brushed aside. Live in a flat - the woman underneath moaning about the noise. It's absolutely fucking impossible.

I want to leave them to it - they can read, play, fight, raid the fridge, set fire to the house. I just don't care anymore. This is fucking hideous.

[Xerochrysum]

I was thinking exactly same as Maddy456. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.
I think routine works. So set a time, and stick to it, and keep it short, but no negotiation. It's only starting, they will get used to it and may work better once they got a hang of it, that it's not a holiday, it's homeschool.

[Foghead]

Low key is fine.
Watch educational programmes that bbc are broadcasting
Reading
Maths websites
Times table songs

Get them out for ‘lunch time’ for some exercise.

[GlobeUs]

I don't think you scare mongering posts are helpful

Sharing a personal opinion / thought is not scare mongering - I am entitled to have and share those. It's fine if you don't agree - no need to be nasty.

There will be no reason to keep them at home, everyone in the vulnerable and elderly category will be vaccinated by then, even if the vaccine timetable overruns substantially.

The Government are actually asking people to be careful until all over 50s are vaccinated - not just the vulnerable and elderly - and this has been stated publicly in press conferences, as well as in DHSC letters to people. They have said they need to assess how the vaccine works within all groups rather than just CEV, Frontline workers and the Elderly. All groups are not going to have received there first dose my half term, let alone their second dose.

It's very unlikely everyone in the CEV group will have been vaccinated by Summer Term - given that most of us haven't had our first vaccine yet and there's a three month period between both vaccines.

Anyway, as I said, schools closed till September is my personal opinion - I am entitled to it - and given how teachers have shared their displeasure at going into schools recently, I doubt they wanting to be go back after Easter if numbers are still high and they are still at risk.

[MichelleofzeResistance]

A head teacher put up a post on fb last week that I liked, saying to his parents "Don't call it home schooling". Even to yourself. If you were home schooling, you'd have made an informed decision to provide your child's education yourself, at home, planned a curriculum and you would have chosen to become your child's teacher. This isn't home schooling. To term it as that puts unnecessary pressure and stress on yourself. As he said: this is at best, distance learning, and in most cases it's schools and families trying their best to cope with an unprecedented situation in which no one knows what to do or how to make it work. First comes family financial stability, family sanity, family safety. Everybody getting through this situation. As Maddy says, try not to stress yourself by seeing it as an all or nothing situation. Do what helps with calmness, stability, you feeling like you're managing and can work, and then when that's established, see what you might be able to add in and how often.

[Vinorosso74]

My DD is 10 so Y6. The last time led to so many arguments/tears/me nearly losing my mind!
This time school seem a lot better organised and they're providing feedback quickly. I'm making sure she does the work school set and does some reading. We have been doing some crosswords as an attempt at an educational activity. I can't be doing with trying to do anything more.
That said it can be draining when she asks for help then disagrees with any suggestions I make. It doesn't help there's 3 of us in a flat getting under each others feet.

[amatsip]

My 8 year old daughter with autism can’t cope with online learning so I purchased ks2 subject books from Amazon.

Made life easier as I photo she does daily and email it to her teacher.

She does 2 pages out of the 5 books daily, she completed that in 2 hours then draws or does online pe in afternoon.

[StacySoloman]

10 year old should be self sufficient.

Let the 7 year old do some vaguely educational Bitesize stuff (online or TV), read with him every day and do some TT Rockstars. He can catch up when back at school.

[ChestnutStuffing]

I've homeschooled my kids for years, and I would absolutly say, stop trying to do the online stuff, at least most of it. It's really not suitable for primary school kids,

It might be worthwhile though to get into a fairly simple homeschool routine, not only will it be good for them academically, it will help keep them busy and they will be less cranky than if they were watching tv all day.

A good simple schedule might have you doing half an hour of math together, and doing some daily reading aloud from a good book. Have them read daily, maybe from one fiction and one non-fiction book. For the latter switch up science, biographies, etc. Practise handwriting by copying some nice sentences from books they like, or poems. Watch a science show or history show. Do one other activity - maybe a craft, a painting, count birds that come to a feeder, whatever. You could also look at some audiobooks, most kids listen better if they can do something else at the same time, like colouring or making something with clay.

[BogRollBOGOF]

I seem to be a full time, unpaid TA now because my DCs do nothing unless I'm literally within 6 inches of them. My 10yo has multiple SENs, my 7yo is not a mature, independent learner either. If I was working, then I'd simply have to sacrifice their education to survive.

As it it, for all our sanity, I have to pick our battles and leave gaps where it just isn't working.

[crazychemist]

@ChestnutStuffing

I've homeschooled my kids for years, and I would absolutly say, stop trying to do the online stuff, at least most of it. It's really not suitable for primary school kids,

It might be worthwhile though to get into a fairly simple homeschool routine, not only will it be good for them academically, it will help keep them busy and they will be less cranky than if they were watching tv all day.

A good simple schedule might have you doing half an hour of math together, and doing some daily reading aloud from a good book. Have them read daily, maybe from one fiction and one non-fiction book. For the latter switch up science, biographies, etc. Practise handwriting by copying some nice sentences from books they like, or poems. Watch a science show or history show. Do one other activity - maybe a craft, a painting, count birds that come to a feeder, whatever. You could also look at some audiobooks, most kids listen better if they can do something else at the same time, like colouring or making something with clay.

While this is a wonderful way to homeschool, it doesn’t sound suitable for the OPs situation - she is struggling and doesn’t have the time for this level of interaction right now.

[peaceanddove]

Far better to have just a couple of hours of quality home schooling, than everyone suffering 5 hours of misery. Perhaps a couple of hours in the morning, then lunch followed by watching a film. Then maybe squeeze another hour in 3-4?

[Wiaa]

I feel your pain. My ds started online learning today he's in reception the lessons were good but he just fidgeted the whole time and walked away during phonics as its too hard, I also have a 19month old so you can imagine the fun trying to keep him quiet and away from the laptop at the same time. Just do what you can, prioritise by subject.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I hear you OP. I'm searching for an old fashioned "beating" ruler like the ones my teachers had back in the 70s. I think it will be helpful.

[movingonup20]

The are showing educational programmes every morning on cbbc then on bb2 in the afternoon, they can watch them then set them a project each week with prizes (I had to homeschool 6&8 year old in a complicated home situation for 6 months, I get it).

I set a topic on a Monday and expected a PowerPoint presentation and hand out on a Friday, so rotated around subjects, start with something like the Romans so they can watch horrible histories etc as source material. Honestly it really helped their computer skills, one week they even built a website, as well as reading, research etc. I then bought maths workbooks and guides from cgp (I think, a while ago). I had no school back up. Get them to read for 39 mins a day as well. At 10 let the eldest make lunch etc

[ASmallMovie]

Thank you very much to everyone who's responded with tips and empathy.

Just a very tough morning.

We did get into a decent routine last time - maths and literacy, fresh air/exercise in the morn, then reading, project work in the afternoon. The 10-year-old would read all day but the 7-year-old makes it impossible.

But I just think I've lost my own motivation.

Ah well, a bad day. But a fresh start tmrw. Thanks for just letting me know that other people are finding this tough too.

[MissDollyMix]

Sympathy OP. Mine are 7 and 10 too. Dh and I trying to wfh. School have set next to no proper work. It’s hard.

[Heartlantern2]

You can’t leave them to it. The curriculum hasn’t been halted this time and they still need to learn it or they will fall behind.

It won’t be re taught like last time, this is it.

(Yes, I know it’s shit)

[TheWindowDonkey]

Hey OP. I home schooled my kids for years, all I can tell you is that anyone try to force a child into doing something that doesn't interest them is on a hiding to nothing. Give yourself and your brain a break..instead bake with them, chat with them, have pillow fights, play board games and read books together. Talking with them about the things they are interested in is THE most amazing thing you can do to help them grow...kids this age want to be interesting to the people around them. This way you can also find out what makes them tick and find documentaries about those subjects that they can watch whilst you get some work done. :)

[GlobeUs]

@ASmallMovie I think there are other things that are good for them to learn to which they may be more interested in - coding for example they may be able to start and do independently and touch typing (there's a few free programs that teach this for kids that make it fun). Those kind of things are really good skills to pick up as well!

[ASmallMovie]

Yeah, last time I was full of enthusiasm... signing them up for short-film making courses and whatnot. But I've just lost that. Like I've run out of steam already.

[ivfbeenbusy]

@DioneTheDiabolist

I hear you OP. I'm searching for an old fashioned "beating" ruler like the ones my teachers had back in the 70s. I think it will be helpful.

I do feel like channeling my Best Mrs Trunchball
Impression at the moment - in fact I might stick Matilda on the Telly this afternoon And warn DD about consequences or slacking off on her home schooling 🤣

On another note. Schools won't close till September - there will be uproar from us poor home schoolers due to the amount of parents taking the piss and sending their kids into school at the moment.

Best case is after February half term - worst case is Easter

[heidipi]

@ChestnutStuffing

I've homeschooled my kids for years, and I would absolutly say, stop trying to do the online stuff, at least most of it. It's really not suitable for primary school kids,

It might be worthwhile though to get into a fairly simple homeschool routine, not only will it be good for them academically, it will help keep them busy and they will be less cranky than if they were watching tv all day.

A good simple schedule might have you doing half an hour of math together, and doing some daily reading aloud from a good book. Have them read daily, maybe from one fiction and one non-fiction book. For the latter switch up science, biographies, etc. Practise handwriting by copying some nice sentences from books they like, or poems. Watch a science show or history show. Do one other activity - maybe a craft, a painting, count birds that come to a feeder, whatever. You could also look at some audiobooks, most kids listen better if they can do something else at the same time, like colouring or making something with clay.

When you were homeschooling your kids for years were you also doing a full-time job from home at the same time?

Re suggestions to find other resources and activities for the children to do - who has the time to research that too? I'm starting work at 5am and working through the weekend in this fecking nightmare.

[LaceyBetty]

I have a 9 and 10 year old. The 10 year is very self-sufficient thankfully, but my 9 year old ... I am dying. I can only imagine her at 7 doing this. Absolutely no understanding from work, let alone assistance.

[peaceanddove]

Forgot to add, really don't think of it as home schooling. Most of us aren't qualified teachers and our homes simply aren't designed to function as classrooms.

Prior to starting a PGCE I gained experience working as a TA and Cover Supervisor in several (admittedly rough) secondary schools. Even in these formal school settings it was widely acknowledged among staff that we weren't teaching; we were actually just providing crowd control.

So OP if you're providing adequate crowd control, keeping them safe and healthy then don't worry too much about the rest. In your shoes I would just really work on their reading skills. Get them reading. A lot. When our DCs were about 8/9 I spent one (slightly) painful summer holiday boot camping them at reading. Intensive stuff - but when their reading was teacher assessed a few months later, they had a reading ability of 15+. I truly believe this gave them a massive boost to their education, that still reverberates to this day

[ivfbeenbusy]

@ASmallMovie

Yeah, last time I was full of enthusiasm... signing them up for short-film making courses and whatnot. But I've just lost that. Like I've run out of steam already.

I didn't home school last time as DD hadn't started at Reception - I taught her practical skills of painting and decorating, landscape gardening and general DIY - I miss those days 🤣