I have just started a new job and DDs school work has suddenly declined....

[Greythorne]

Is there a link?

I was a SAHM for 7 years. Always available to the DCs, baking, talking, craft, Jolly Phinics CDs etc.

At the end of the summer term, DD (equivalent of yr2, just started yr 3) got a glowing report. The last line read 'keep up the good work'.

Had her first evaluation this week in year 3. She got every question wrong and been given a D. (We are in France and yes, teachers grade A-D, in red ink, in the test paper for the kids to see - another thread, another time.)

Can't help (at 6.14 in the morning) that it's either (a) because she is struggling with the emotional and logistical upheaval of me starting a new, full time, very demanding job or (b) because I have been less available to support her in homework and reading due to said job or (c) combination thereof.

Feeling utterly down. Ready to resign on Monday. Massive over reaction in my part, I know, but there you go.

Any words if advice?

Oh lord been there - and with the bloody French education system, which I hate with a passion (breathes, and gets back to Op....)

I would say the best you can do is give it time. You will find a new routine in terms of the homework, she will get use to it. Honestly she will, but it can take time.

Can you look at your week and find ways to get time back (tough with anew job I know). We swim on a Saturday morning no matter what. Its all about playing together and the we grab snacks and chat. Is there anything like that you can do to reinforce your still - and always will be - there for her?

And as for the marking I have been know to look at my DCs teachers, sigh and say how bizarre I find the French education system, big smile and leave

I'm in Italy where it's pretty much the same, (again, another thread, but lots of work, lots of red pen, lots of homework)

I think it is you starting work and not being there, yes, together with a smidgen of New School Yearitis. First thing is to check that the evaluation wasn't just a blip and something she didn't understand (at least once a year we have maths meltdown in this house where all 3 of us sit and cry all afternoon because we don't understand the new ways of doing long bloody division)

I think deXavier is right- maybe sit down with dd and make a plan of the hours you will be there, so she knows exactly where she stands. Big up the fact that she is getting bigger now, so will be able to do so much more without your help/assistance/surveillance etc.

Bloody systems where they expect mammies to stay home bleaching their houses all morning and supervising homework all afternoon!

(I was saying the other day though, that French kids I come across leave UK students standing if that's any consolation )

Thanks for the replies.
I have already realized that we need to clear the weekends of all non-essential stuff so we can spend time as a family and in homework.