Falling apart 😢

[Rachaelc1981]

Hi, my life is falling apart and I don’t know how to stop it. I am 42, married and have 6 children (3 step children aged 24,22 and 18) my children are 12,8 and 2.5 years old. My children never do anything that I tell them to do, they are so badly behaved and no punishment or consequences bother them. My children are home schooled so I’m with my children 24/7 and it’s driving me insane. My husband and step children all work so it’s just me. I do everything for them. I have no family or friends to help. I have absolutely zero time with my husband and it’s driving us apart, pretty much on the brink of separation. My 2.5 year old is a terrible sleeper so I sleep on the sofa with him every single night so I don’t even sleep next to my husband. The noise in the house is unbearable, they are so loud even when they are just talking. I have tried reward charts, treats, days out, no treats, no tv, no iPads etc and nothing bothers them. I totally feel at breaking point and I don’t know how to fix things.

Are you a perfectionist? Trying to get everything right and getting yourself in the ground in process? You are spreading yourself too thin. Can the children join school rather than being home schooled?

I'd send them to school to be honest.

Sorry, that probably sounds blunt. But if they're not listening to you then what sort of education are they actually getting with you at home?

Why don't they go to school?

Get them off to school, you'll drive yourself mad keeping this up.

You’ve posted multiple times before OP, I remember the one on the home ed board just before Christmas stating that your dc aren’t receiving an education and one wanted to go back to school. People will keep giving you the same advice about putting them into school, they could have started by now.

Seconding the school thing and also it is only temporary? Your step children are all but grown. A few more years with the two of your eldest then they will fly the nest and things will get better. Then you'll just have one! The end is in sight! Send your youngest to school.

Are you the poster who took kids out of school when you were worried about Covid, and now they’re very behind?

On your last thread you said you were going to contact school admissions. You need to do that, because they have a right to an education and you’re not giving them one.

I'm sure you've posted before. Send the kids to school.

Is someone controlling you by insisting you don't send your children to school? Then you need to contact Women's Aid. Or are you worried your children are so neglected that Social Services will get involved? If that's the case you need to start digging yourself out of the hole ASAP. You will get support if you ask for it. Can you disclose your difficulties to your Health Visitor? They can signpost you for help.

Send them to school. Get sanity back. They aren't learning if behaving like that

Why are your children not in school? Is it through choice or necessity (if they have additional needs). I'd personally do my best to get them back in school and get the 2.5 into preschool to give you some headspace.

This would be me if I was trying to homeschool! It’s not for everyone. It’s never too late to send them in.

Send them to school.

If you sent your kids to school I can guarantee you would probably halve your stress, at least

A quick search shows the OP has posted multiple threads like these over recent months.

You say OP you don't know how to fix things but to be blunt the answer is blantaly obvious. Send the kids to school and the toddler to playgroup or nursery a few mornings a week to give yourself a break. You've chosen to keep your kids at home since covid and not send them to school when you have the option then of course you're going to feel overwhelmed. It sounds harsh but I think you need to take some responsibility for your situation. You owe it to your children to ensure they have routine and structure in their day and for them to have a good education. It doesn't seem from this post or others that keeping them at home is doing anyone favours and if you're not willing to do anything about it, I'm not sure what you're expecting to change.

Another vote for school here 😐

Yes, love it. Let's send these unruly kids to school so their behaviour is the problem of another overstretched teacher instead.

Why would you not send them to school if they are this hard work. They sound like they need more structure than you are able to give school will help

If they don’t listen to you what are they actually learning? It sounds awful and you really are not doing your children any favours - the longer you keep them at home the further behind they will get.
Is this fair on anybody? Why are you attempting to home school as you are obviously not enjoying it - is there some reason that you have not disclosed ?

Not having seen any previous threads, but reading the comments
Why are you home ed'ing?

School !

You sound completely overwhelmed. At 9.00 ring your local council and ask to speak to schools admissions about getting your older two into school.