Suddenly tearful and overwhelmed ... anyone else?

[fishface1979]

We have three kids at independent schools - three different ones - trying to navigate the 'remote learning' today set out by each of them, various log ins, etc, whilst also doing my job.
Our youngest's first year this year and our eldest is in the year leading up to 11 plus at a prep school, so both critical. Our middle child was making great progress and very happy after a rocky patch last year - now come to an abrupt end, for the forseeable, whilst paying what we could barely afford, and now with huge losses to boot (I'm self employed and lost a tonne of work)... not sure how sustainable this is. Anyone else been close to/in tears? Will independent schools parents get any refund? I appreciate the teachers need security and wages too but essentially we are responsible for the delivery of the lessons... I am so overwhelmed.

I’m in a similar situation and feeling it too. One is studying for GCSE’s that are now not happening.
They all have work they’re supposed to be completing each day so I’m hoping they’re just going to get on with it as the schools have been quite strict about what’s expected of them. I am no teacher!

As for the financial side I have no idea as yet but I can’t see us being refunded. How would that affect independent schools?
Scary times.

Scary indeed. my kids aren't at the age where they can be expected to be independent. My eldest is 9 and the youngest is 5... It's just totally absurd to think I can leave them to do it while I do my own work. Maybe I just end up home schooling permanently ... Don't mind doing it but can't do that and hold down a job which was essentially to pay the fees anyway.

I feel very overwhelmed too OP. I've got dd 14 and ds 7. Both of their schools have turned round huge amounts of work in the last few days preparing time tables and online teaching methods. I am sure yours will not be far behind of they've not done it already.

DS has online registration and assembly followed by 3 sessions a day maths, English and a third subject which is different each day then suggested enrichment activities. He also has a science workbook to work through and some more things in his bag I need to explore.

DD will get her FULL TIMETABLE online ( apparently her PE teacher is setting up a private you tube channel to deliver live lessons) and for the most part will just get on and do it but we will help her where we can.

It's the prospect of getting them to actually do it that worries me. It's bad enough getting homework done in this house.. still each day as it comes.

It's the social side that saddens me. Not being able to see friends will be hard on them . They both know lots of their friends will be in school as they are children of key workers and there is some jealousy about that already.

Like you both at independent. I don't think there will be any help with fees .. something we will just have to live with but not easy I know especially with loss of income.

I do

I feel sorry for families who can't afford computers for the children to do line learning. Families cooped up in flats with no access to gardens. Single parents who need to work but aren't key workers. The list goes on and on. This is going to be easy for no one.and very very tough for some

Sorry to hear @fishface1979. It's crazy what the schools are doing to justify their fees. Why didn't they just close schools a week early, last week? Parents have to work from home, children have to do remote learning for 3 hours a day and many families have one computer and 2 or 3 children. Especially those with small children. Even those with more than one equipment, parents need them for their work. How is all this supposed to happen? Then you have the psychology and psychosis that is involved in the food scramble. Schools should have closed for the Easter holiday for 6 weeks to give families a chance settle before all this remote learning started. If this continues after Easter, schools will not be able to justify their fees. We've had emails saying they will come back to us on fees for the summer term.
I have been thinking of how to pivot my business after Easter. There are obviously certain businesses that will thrive over the next few months. Is there anything you can do online to help with revenue? Hopefully, we will hear something today on a government package for the self-employed.
In the meantime, I hope this video of an Israeli mother venting cheers you up.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8U6zU4MXmnA&t=7s

Thanks so much MyCruiseControl - hadn't thought of that in terms of just closing a week early to reduce stress, with just some optional activities for those who want them. I agree that the set up is unworkable. If you don't work and have one child and you're not ill, that's the only situation in which it might be ok. It does seem to be largely about justifying fees and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I see teachers need paying but the government is now offering 80% of salaries up to £2500 I think. We'll have to see. Also teaching does not just involve sitting children in front of a screen. The implication that it's being done simply by pointing them to the online resource is crazy. Maybe works for older kids but not kids under ten.

My dd is on a full timetable 9am to 4:15pm online
He can’t even log on
This distance learning is proving to be a pain.
Everyone has been severely affected by this virus and many have lost or about to lose their livelihoods. Independent schools may just have to accept that they may be a casualty of this virus.

It is perfectly fine to feel overwhelmed today, everything is new and strange. everyone is on their own journey with getting to terms with what this really means and if you have been avoiding the news i would say don't, read it, absorb, being informed is key it will mean in 2 days time you will fill informed and calmer.
Today I have taken a day off work to prepare my family for what is going to happen. Both my husband and I work for the NHS (face to face but not clinicians ), we will be leaving my 15 year old who has just found out that her exams are cancelled at home to look after her 9 year old sister because we don't want to risk ending them to school. they will achieve some work but obviously in this situation their education will suffer , as will every child's particularly those whose parents cant help them. but they will be okay, statistically they have very little chance of getting ill and dying and that's all that matters. So yes feel overwhelmed and cry but then put the kettle on and find perspective, look after yourself.

Ds is at a prep and I was close to tears today. The workload sent home has been utterly ridiculous and far more than what would be covered in one lesson. We’ve had one email after another. I rushed out on Sunday to buy him a laptop and printer as there’s no way we could work from one. He’s been in front of a screen all day working. I taught him Maths as I don’t believe 9 year olds can teach themselves with a few links and shit loads of maths sheets. He was an absolute trooper but I didn’t get a shred of my own work done. This isn’t sustainable for the next 3 months and I’m close to saying fuck it and limit home learning to Maths and English alone. I can see school has done this to justify fees next term and for teachers to look busy but this is not education. No thought has been given about the impact on homelife and how working parents (I’m a single parent) are supposed to cope.

@usernamealreadyexists I think a lot of people will be feeling your pain right now. I really feel bad for you. I think those with younger kids or those who have kids with SEND will suffer the most through this. There is no way you can sit through a day of school with a child and get your own work done.

I think privates have big boots to fill now trying to justify fees and they don't want to be seen as doing nothing. The problem all schools are in a massive pickle now, suddenly running an online school and a crèche for some. Our state secondary has given all kids a week 'off' to get to grips with the new routine. Very basic grid of work to get through and lots of reading and exercise videos encouraged.
Next week we start proper online school and we'll see how that goes.

I also really don't like that they're spending so much time on front of screens. Recreational activities are limited unless you have a large garden and even then that gets boring with no mates. I'm sure the % of kids with glasses will go up massively after this.

So glad I found this thread. My primary school child seems to have loads of class mates with sahp with one child who flood the group chat with fun activities... Its making me super anxious.

I have four of them, all with different needs and wants and the sheer amount of emails and demands it's mental.

Also trying to work a full day as everyone seems to think that working from home is basically not working. Whilst I have a full day of back to back calls.... Help!!!

Retired teacher here. Please take a deep breath and keep calm. Your children will be very worried about what is happening and need you to be parents first.

1. You need to work, if you are lucky enough to still have a job.

1. Don't voice all your worries and fears in front of your children, but do try to answer their questions honestly.

1. Your children could miss a whole year of school and still catch up and get on with their lives. Honest.

1. Do the best you can. Your children need parents more than they need teachers.

1. Despite all the work online, reading books is still very important, especially if your children are still learning to read. Listen to beginning children reading every day. An older sibling could help out here but Older children can read independently then tell you the story or write a book report. There are lots of ideas online.

1. Allocate set times for online schooling for each child but they don't have to complete everything they are set.

1. Allocate time with each child to help with any problems, e.g. maths. A competent older child could help a younger one. It would be good for both children, as by teaching, you cement your understanding.

1. Have fun with science at home or in the garden. Again lots of ideas online.

1. Have fun as a family too.

. have a dance session . exercise together . play games. . board games . shopping games with money . whole family art sessions . cooking

10. Expect the children to help around the house and tidy up after themselves.

11. Acknowlege good behaviour, including getting along together.

12. Try not to overreact when they behave badly or quarrel. It's best to redirect, eg, "Time to run round the garden three times", and you join in!

RETIREDandHAPPY thank you very practical advice.

Poor kids. Let them play. My kids are at independent school and in fact started their Easter hols on Saturday so no schoolwork expected for a month.

MyCruiseControl that video is hilarious.

This is an absolute wet dream for independent schools. Sending bosch through their creaking online systems, making the parents do the teaching whilst charging full whack. As if the teachers weren't indifferent enough (my dd's school).

My DS is in his final year and was about to do his A levels. The school has set a couple of pieces of work but no lessons. His teachers are available if needed, but at this stage there isn't much left to do.

I won't be impressed if they expect full fees for the summer term.