Are your children looking forward to going back?

[likeamillpond]

Thinking back to my own school holidays which admittedly were a LONG time ago.
I remember just before going back there would be a mixture of excitement tinged with sadness. Sadness that the long holiday had come to an end.
The children have had an extra long 'holiday'this year. so I imagine it must be really tough to go back.
No doubt there'll be those who are desperate to interact with other children.
By the same token there must be lots who have been content to stay home.

@chocolateisavegetable

DD Y13 doesn't want to go back at all, and has been given permission by college not to go back yet

God, I wish that would happen for Ds. Just a few months of his course left. He's doing so well at home. He was so miserable at college that he was just scraping passes on his modules. All distinctions since he's been at home (Which was October as bubbles kept bursting so they were only back 4 weeks).

@ChameleonClara you’re absolutely right. We do hug as a family, I was never hugged as a child, 70’s upbringing, very much arms length, so I made sure things were different with my family. DS’s hugs have ramped up lately, I should make the most of it.

@Supmama

Mine was more excited to get back last time. This time they seem indifferent like they are not sure if its back to homeschool in a few weeks.

This seems to be the general mood among my students as well.

@FrankieFalcone I think a lot of us had stand-offish 70s upbringings!

At the moment I think they need more from family because there is little else - but I feel confident that will right itself when the world does.

Yes they are looking forward to returning, and I am finally looking forward to them all learning again.

No. He's Y11, hates school and is stressed that the teachers are now going to be constantly testing and assessing them for a grade. They have already announced two sets of 'exams' which will be 'Mocks' and then a 'proper' set of internal exams. One just after Easter, one in June. It's worse than GCSEs for him - because he's now going to be examined on what have you taught yourself in a two year course when you've had 9 months out of school? Not blaming teachers - but he's found it incredibly difficult NOT being in a classroom.

He's utterly pissed off and I don't know whether I'll get him out of bed and to the bus tomorrow.

Quite apathetic actually. DS, 5. I told him all excitedly and he answered 'oh okay'. After more probing, he's looking forward to playing in the mud kitchen

Yes to the see friends, no because its boring school.

No, they're not. DS1 (year 11) has declared today a day of mourning (the end of home schooling).

No, both really depressed. School is soulless without all the clubs and social life. Not happy at all.

My youngest ones went back last week and are delighted, skipped in the gate. Small country school so lots of outdoor time and quite relaxed. Eldest aren't back for another few weeks. To be honest they will be glad to get back to routine and see friends daily again

DS1 (17) can't wait, but he's been away from college since November due to self isolating and college doing virtual lessons pre Christmas. He's seen the majority of his friends once since then

DS2 (12) has been going to the yr 7 bubble at school part time since half term so he's half way there! He didn't want to go back then loved it.

DS Y11 would rather be home, has got on really well with remote learning. His timetable after Easter holidays looks brutal with mocks and assessments

@ineedaholidaynow

DS Y11 would rather be home, has got on really well with remote learning. His timetable after Easter holidays looks brutal with mocks and assessments

Wouldn’t he still have these at home?

Y12 DS looking forward to it very much.

Also very worried about not having any friends left as hasn't been in contact with anyone since December (started new school in September and friendships were not that well established).

Personally I am not looking forward to 2 months of tests that have been deferred, meaning he won't see daylight now until April as he'll have to spend every evening and weekend revising. I guess he can have a few hours off at the start of the Easter holidays, before he starts revising again for his Y12 exams...

Maybe school should focus on the mental health of the kids rather than their test scores, but instead they send emails about mental health and organise a few more tests.

My three (years 6, 8 and 10) are really looking forward to going back, except for having to get up earlier!

8yo seems genuinely excited and happy.

6yo is saying she is happy but emotions have been running high the past few days. Lots of hissy fits and melt downs.

3yo won't even glance backwards when I drop her at nursery tomorrow.

DD (yr 4) has been in school as I'm a key worker, and doing home school on my days off. She's looking forward to seeing her friends that haven't been in, but a bit nervous about the increase in class size. During lockdown, at most it's been 7-8 of them in her class. Tomorrow it'll be back up to it's normal 28

Very much so. She's missed it so much

None of mine are happy about going back

No not all, they don’t want to go back, they are in year 8 and year 5. They Certainly have not been on holiday ! They have been working hard at home with their live lessons from school and completing the assignments been set.

If schools were safe they should not have to wear masks all day, be tested constantly and sit in freezing cold classrooms.

Tomorrow my 17 year old daughter has a day in college 9-4pm supposed to being having the flow test at 2pm. Then that it till 22nd March. My 13 year old son goes back Thursday and my 8 year attends a special school and is back tomorrow.
I think they have got used to the remote learning and would rather stay at home now.
But I really need some peace.

Sal

10YO DS is thrilled to be going back. 5YO DD is excited too, but she has SEN and this week has genuinely been the worst behaviour we have ever had from her. Constant screaming outbursts (to the point I'm surprised the police haven't been called) and general anger and constant tearfulness, so I expect she is having some real anxiety about it and about being away from me. She has been attached to me all week like she is a toddler again. I can't seem to give her enough reassurance, nothing I do seems to be working. So worried her behaviour will be awful at school too, she was pretty difficult last term and was put on the sen register because of her outbursts.
Going through this pandemic with a disabled mum has been so hard for her, I just hope there is some improvement being back with her friends and teachers.
Sorry, just needed to have a little vent.

Mine are desperate to go back. They love school. I am glad because I hated it. They like their teachers and their learning and their friends. I am glad for them and grateful. Drop off tomorrow will be emotional.

Yes but he’s primary not secondary, I think it’s awful secondary have to wear masks all day poor kids and even with testing they will be disruption due to false positives. My child is sick of been in front of a screen home learning without interaction with his peers. I also think school has had a most of fun sucked out of it, no clubs visits enrichment activities, parents kept at a distance kids shouted at for not social distancing being made to follow stupid rules like no bags, no mixing with friends from other years, only allowed disposal lunches, books not being marked, can’t take books/ art home to show parents, all homework online no paper etc etc. It certainly isn’t the same as pre COVID but he thinks it is better than home school. Trying to be positive but to be honest this year with constant shifts to education has broken us both.