To the parent trying to balance it all

[Pentium85]

I have seen, and continue to see, so so many threads and social media posts asking for a 'timetable' to help homeschool their children during the Coronavirus outbreak, for ideas to keep them occupied, and posts saying how difficult and stressful it is.

So please...

To every parent right now struggling with figuring out a math equation their child has been sent, to the parent feeling overwhelmed by the work the school is emailing home, the parent feeling guilty their child is eating lots of snacks, the parent trying to discipline a toddler whilst they try and work from home, the parent feeling bad they haven't even thought about doing school work, the parent feeling horrible because they snapped at their child through sheer tiredness and confusion at the current situation

Breathe, and stop.

No one is expecting you to go about miraculously parenting whilst educating your children whilst completing school work whilst keeping on top of your own work.

It's simply not possible.

Do what you can, but know that no one is expecting normality in unprecedented times.

I'm working from home, and supervising 11yo DS. I have to compromise because I work for a critical service. We all do.

Today I got DS to log in and do 30 mins PHSE, 30 mins chemistry and 30 mins maths exercises. We kicked a ball about in the garden and used skipping ropes for an hour at lunch. And that's it.

I've ordered books from his reading list, which he'll read when he goes to bed. I'll have more time for him at the weekend so I'll help him set up a wired bike computer. And do some cooking.

It's not a full school day, but it will have to be enough. We are all in the same situation.

What are we supposed to do with the kids longer term???? I have a 3 year old and 7 year old and a full time job. Just feeding them takes up blooming ages.

We’re just ambling along through the day too.
Dcs have a timetable and they’ve got work to do as well as other activities. They’re playing in the garden and just doing things at a gentle pace.
I agree that there shouldn’t be stress but there shouldn’t be boredom or too much reliance on gaming (easy to fall into with older dcs)

Mine are 5 and 9 and I have my job and them not fighting and whining as my priority. DH has one week day off, and I don’t work weekends. So only 3 days to do the homework. There is no way I can supervise homework while doing my job. I’m grateful I still have a job and I’m not going to do a half hearted one to lose it.

@Backhometothenorth can the 7 year old make lunches. Mine are just 2 years older than yours so easier. But I ask my 9yo to make sandwiches, squash and get yoghurts for DC2. Can your 3yo war without you but supervised by the 7yo? Maybe you can make food for all but let them get on with it once you have finished?

@beckytyler

I'm curious as to what you could have possibly said in response to this post that warranted being deleted?

@beckyttyler

Thanks for those ideas @NotGenerationAlpha