To wonder how I do schoolwork with dc1 with a toddler about?

[lotsotbabies]

I am asking as I’m guessing others have had this problem but I am flummoxed as to how to go about solving it.

Toddler Won’t watch tv either so that won’t work

How old is DC2?

Is this behaviour present at other times or just while you're trying to give your whole attention to DC1?

For your older child, let him or her do worksheet stuff on their own. That way, the teacher will see exactly what they are capable of. Allow about 20.minutes.

For spellings, do a certain number a night after the younger child has gone to bed.

Or put tthe spellings to your own made up.music or the tune of an already familiar song, clap rhythms, do foot stamping along with the 'song'. You can do this standing up, walking to the park, in the kitchen together, walking g to school, in the car - DC2 might even like to join in the clapping.

I went to a state primary in the 80s and had to do spellings and reading. It’s not really a new thing.

Agree!

I had five DCs myself. You need to stop bad behaviour. Don't be afraid of the word no, and don't be afraid to be shouty.

I did homework every evening from age 5 in 1971 in Ireland. My DCs did homework every evening from age 6 in the US, beginning in 1996.

Do it all in the morning. Toddler strapped into high chair with breakfast to occupy them. Older one does reading book.

Its rare for schools to set more than perhaps 10 mins worth of maths/english to be done over a weekend, prioritise the daily reading.

For the spellings dont faff about trying to teach/"test" them.

Simply write them out yourself. Have DC read aloud each word and copy it out next to your list. As they get older have them copying each word 2/3 times daily.

I didn't say this was the one and only solution? I said this is what worked for us. My dc preferred the larger movements of writing on a board, and we had one right next to where our toys were stored so it worked for occupying a toddler while helping our eldest.

I was trying to be helpful to the op, no idea why this should have caused offense!

I give my toddler her own homework, or an interesting snack or after she’s in bed! We only get homework once a week and have a week to do it, so I just try and squeeze 20 mins in over the weekend usually.

Reading is everyday and either eldest DC reads to both of us, or we do it in the morning

I would put the toddler in their highchair at the table and give them their own 'homework'. The behaviour you're describing sounds like they're attention seeking because they're feeling left out. Bring them in to the homework circle. Give them pens/stickers/playdoh...anything that they can do at the table alongside homework.

When DD started school my youngest was 1.5, I used to sit her at the table with us with a snack and some paper and crayons, if she felt like she was involved with what we were doing she was more likely to let us get on with it and sit quietly for a few minutes. It's harder now she's almost 4 and my eldest's homework is mostly on the iPad, she wants to play with it too.

You need to find a way. Show your child that you support him and take schoolwork seriously.

Oh ignore the holier than thou perfect parents who just have to "look" at their DC and they magically behave as though you have not tried this...

DC2 gets very destructive sometimes, trying to snatch the pen off dc1, shouting, throwing self at me so I can’t see (or breathe!)

I guess I would try to troubleshoot this. My DC have this tendency (hence why just "not allowing it" does not work) and years of experience have taught me that generally it means one or a combination of the following.

Toddler needs more focused adult 1:1 attention at other times. Perhaps DC each need set times of focused 1:1 attention so they do not clamour at each other for it.

Toddler is bored and does not know how to self entertain. Perhaps need to do a bit of "training" where you start out doing things with them and then sort of work on disengaging more and more for longer periods until you're able to each do your own thing side by side.

Toddler has learnt that shouting and getting in everyone's way is a great way to get attention. Try to shift behaviour management from reactive/shouty to calm/ignoring with something like time out if necessary, be on constant lookout for positive things to praise, even if it makes you feel like a manic dog trainer, and proactive setting things up for success in advance (e.g. having a really clear "homework time" routine), rather than hoping to appeal to their better nature, which doesn't work v well with toddlers. (This can also be part of a wider picture where you're burnt out or otherwise struggling to meet your own needs, and the DC are playing up as a response to this).

Toddler is tired and still needs a nap, but can't get it for some reason, so becomes a PITA all afternoon. Lost cause if you can't have them nap. Do homework at another time.

Toddler is restless because they really need a good run, like a dog, at least once a day or more. Some children do. There is no fix for this other than taking them for a really good run, even if it's raining and cold. Indoor options include swimming, trampolining, soft play, some kind of mini sports class or tumble tots thing, or google "heavy work" and incorporate as many of the activities as suggested into your daily life.

Toddler is hungry/thirsty/needs a wee/poo/etc - try to pre-empt this and do a snack/drink/toilet time before homework time, or shift it to a different time e.g. after meal.

We've got some foam letters and do spellings in the bath

Put the toddler in a buggy and go for a walk whilst doing spellings with your eldest.

Yes because the way I reply to someone on here obviously is a direct correlation to how I parent - how pathetic! I don’t need to ‘bark’ at my children, they just grow up being shown what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour and they learn how to behave, you nip it in the bud before it gets to the level the OP is describing.

And my username is one of many I use, generally chosen by looking around and choosing a combination of things in my view, ads on the page etc, I’m hardly going to be silly enough to use anything identifying on a public forum.

I'd say that someone needs to bark at you that you are ridiculous with a response like that.
How have you managed to sum up that they bark at their kids and call them ridiculous?
You sound like a classic mumsnet man hater

Chalk on an easel can help if there is a height difference. Older child does spellings at the top whilst youngest child scribbles at the bottom.

Some kids are fairly compliant and respond to correction quite well over a reasonably short period of time. Some parents may have only experienced raising these types of children and assume that if it's not working out the same for you it must be because you're not doing it properly. But some kids need a bit more input over a longer period of time before you start to see the results.

I'd say take the practical suggestions from this thread that might work well for you with regards to getting the spellings looked at, and ignore the assumptions that you're not parenting properly.

How much homework is there?

we read at bedtime. DC reads to me. I read to them. It’s the only we we can do it every day.

maths is once a week and takes about 10 mins or so. We do it when he gets in on the day he gets it so it’s done and out the way

I ‘homeschooled’ a 5 and 4 year old through covid with my 1-2 year old also at home and also trying to work from home so I feel your pain!

Distraction is the only way really. Set the youngest up with something they enjoy doing while you spend a bit of time with the eldest. At that age they shouldn’t really be doing much homework?
For reading, your younger child can listen to the story too.

Do u work? How do u do more than one task at a time? This is riduculous.

It doesn’t make it right.

Highchair with snacks
ipad time
their own activity such as colouring, stickers etc
playpen with toys

My 5yo is Y1. When she brings home a new reading book she reads it before her bedtime story. It takes less than 5 minutes. She’s the only one in her class in a phonics group with Y2/3s so my very casual approach seems to be working so far 🤣

My eldest is in Y3 at the same school and they’ve never had weekly homework. I honestly didn’t realise this was that unusual until I spoke to a friend with kids at another school recently! I have to say, I do like that school work stays AT school! (School has excellent SATS results and attainment scores FWIW)

Some of my mum friends quiz their DC on the walk/drive to school.

That's what I used to do with DD.

Does anyone else have an image of the Von Trapp family from the descriptions by posters who could miraculously control their hordes of children? 😁