One DC back at school and one at home - how is it?

[Sian05]

I have a DS in yr 2 and a DD in yr R and we’ve made the decision to send DD back next week. We haven't done it yet as I WFH part time and my husband is furloughed so we have been able to home school but I’m concerned about her missing out on forming friendships as a lot of her class have gone back already. I also think that waiting til September will just be too long a break for her as she had only just really started to settle into school when all this started.

However, my DS is really upset about his sister going back partly because he is desperate to go in and see his friends and because he will miss her. They have actually really bonded during this time (obviously with some fallings out and fighting along the way!) and have kept each other occupied when me or DH have had other stuff we’ve needed to do.

I just wanted to hear how others have got on if just one child has gone back to school? How has the one that’s been in got on and has it had a good or bad effect (if any) on the other. I’m hoping that as it’s harder to get my DS to do any school work and the attention is split between him and his sister, he might actually benefit from some 1-1 time

The one not back is sad not to be back, but would be with or without sibling back. I'm trying to do extra fun stuff with the one at home. We've been doing stuff we don't normally get to do e.g. youngest can't ride a bike so when they're at school we go for a long bike ride.

One back would like sibling back too but is doing really well and will actually do work for the teacher, I'm sure they learnt nothing with me home learning.

Our one at home is secondary age, so it's different, but each is jealous of the other and they both go through phases of being upset.

We are 2 weeks in and at-home child has settled, while at-school child is getting increasingly resistant to going in. We are just presenting it as "it is what it is", we all just have to roll with it. For our at-home child we are focussing more on supporting her to stay in touch with her friends and meet up safely with them, rather than quality time with us, but her school is keeping her very busy and she is older. I think it has been good for her to have a break from her sibling, especially as she was having to work a lot harder than him while we were home schooling!

One back (nursery) one at home (Y2). TBH, they're both pretty happy! They also bonded a lot during lockdown, and it was great to see them properly playing with each other in a way they haven't before. But, still, it was really hard to manage the needs of a bright 7yr old and a slightly unruly 4yo. There was quite a lot of fighting/ crying. Now the 4yo is delighted to be back at (his completely brilliant) nursery and the 7yo is delighted to have all of her designated home-schooling parent's attention during the day. Also less screaming from downstairs while I'm on work calls upstairs, which is a plus

Y1 and Y3 here. It's not as bad as I thought. Originally the Y1 thought is was very unfair (loves being quiet and at home) and the Y3 the same (wanted to go back).

But in fact they're both fine now as school is much calmer than usual so my youngest is happier than he was before lockdown, and the eldest gets more help and attention than before.

Thanks for the replies. @mymymymymy they sound like my two - I think they would both be happier if it was the other way round! But I'm glad both yours are fine now - it makes me feel a bit better about it!

Our Y6 went back yesterday and our Y10 is at home
It’s good actually, DD has a full online timetable via Teams and she spend loads of time talking to friends on video calls or having Netflix parties etc. She has met a couple of people too (socially distanced of course)
I have been trying to HE DS myself while working PT and other than via Fortnite he’s had no interaction with people his own age so I am really glad he’s back. Plus I can get my work done more easily while he’s not here so spend quality time with him when he gets home