Lockdown and homeschooling

[Overthinker84]

Does anyone else feel like they are being made to feel bad for actually making their kids do school work?
My kids are in year 9 and they have been set a ton of work that we have been doing religiously from 8.30 until roughly 2 or 3. They do pe with joe too and come out for a walk as well. They have been getting up at the normal time and getting dressed etc as if school was still on and we are maintaining that routine. But I see so many people not doing this. Not educating at all and saying that it's too hard or not their job!
I know it's a stressful time for everyone but surely your kids going back to school (whenever that may be) and being behind and possibly not able to totally get back into school work etc is worse?
Or should I just let them go with the flow. Do what they can and just leave what they dont do? They are happy to do school work I may add. They enjoy getting it done and knowing that the teachers are happy with them

Feel free to let them miss out on 6 months of education but don’t be surprised when that means they fall behind their peers who are working harder.

My son year 7 is normally very academic. But this is tough on him without constant teacher support and support from other pupils. He will do school work but the way I look at it is they will all be behind where they should be, including those studying everyday and this needs to be taken into account by teachers lesson planning when they return to school.

I expect my DS who is secondary school age and DD age 9 to complete school work and they are happy to do it. I don’t want them to get out of the habit of work and like the routine it gives us. This is a mind blowing situation and it’s not a holiday ( well technically is now) plus it’s keeping a slight bit of normality for them in my opinion.

We need to keep in mind everyone is having a different experience with this. Some kids have parents working as front line workers so won't have support at home for the majority of the day. Some kids won't have a quiet place to work due to family size. Some kids share one laptop between numerous family members. Some children will be mourning a family members death. Yes in ideal circumstances children would still work a 9-3 school day, but this is no where near normal circumstances, not every child will have a nice quiet place to learn or even an Internet connection. Children will go back to school in mourning, some will have mental health problems and the lucky ones won't have either. But every single child won't be where they would have been if they had been in school everyday being taught the curriculum by qualified teachers. It's really best not to pass judgement, we all have to get thro this on our own way and you OP could easily find yourself in a position in a couple of months where God forbid you are mourning someone and your kids are rebelling against school work during that time. Best not to pass judgement.

I don’t think any parent should just do nothing. My daughter enjoys doing hers, the teachers set the work at same time as timetabled lesson. We did receive a letter saying after Easter probably set work that goes over previous learning rather than learning new work. I just hope she doesn’t get bored. And DS is GCSE so been doing nothing, it’s awful to see after he was working so hard for so long. He’s now become a game addict over 2wks! Going to bed late and up late which he’s never done. I really hope this doesn’t impact on his high work ethic. Starting some A level stuff after Easter

I wasnt passing judgement on anyone and I agree everyone has different opinions which is fine. But me and my family shouldn't he made to feel as if we are pressuring them because they are doing school work. I know everyone has different circumstances but I am talking specifically about secondary age kids. Even if you dont have a laptop or internet schools are sending paper copies. And there is enough time in the day to get a couple of hours done each day not necessarily 9-3 everyday

I didn't say you where pressuring them so not sure where you got that from. Also actually no not all schools are sending paper copies. My son is currently happy to study hard and work 4 hours a day but I'm not as naive to assume this will be the case in a few months time.

Mine is already refusing to work anywhere except in bed and whenever he fancies - so what you can do depends on your kids’ compliance

We are doing the same as you OP, keeping to school hours and also doing the PE and walks. I am lucky though as they are very motivated and want to do the work, plus their schools have online classes on zoom, plus class WhatsApp and FaceTimes. I also need to work and have another child who requires 24/7 care so my input isn't as much as I would like.

I didnt saybyou said anything about pressuring them? I just felt other people that I have seen on social media are saying it. I just wanted to see what others thought. We all have different things going on and we are all doing our best. If everyone stays in and social distances we can hopefully be back to normal soonish

Mine have been doing their work. One gets up ready for work at 9am, finishes I think around 1 or 2. The other one doesn't get up to till lunch time (unless there has been a video lesson earlier...) but dtill dopers her work.
I have always put academics "high" on the list of things to do, but I don't watch over them like a hawk.

DD’s school have told us all that all the work set is optional and no new topics will be covered. Only revision. They’ve told us to use the resources as we wish but not to worry if nothing’s done. They’ve specifically said they’ll pick things up when school reopens and that it’s more important for us to come together as family’s and have harmony in the home at this time.

I love their approach. It understands that some kids will love doing the work and that others will really struggle. It allows for parents to use their judgement and to ensure no consequences. They’ve also said not to do any work over Easter and to relax as we would normally.

I like it. DD has been working but on the days she feels overwhelmed she knows she doesn’t have to and school will have her back once this is over.

It’s a great school with fantastic results though too so i trust their decision on this.

I am sure most people would agree if you’ve got the time to support your children, and they are keen to learn, that’s brilliant and of course the right thing to do. I spend all day trying to support my son and he has no interest whatsoever. It’s grim.

Sounds like you’re doing really well. How old are your dc OP?

The trouble is. People are comparing things. A school where they all sit together and have no choice to work. To families of all shapes and sizes. Families that both of them are working to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. That in my opinion trumps anything.
Every family is different. Every family can only do their best. And I don’t think comparing them against each other is doing anyone any good and will lead to more parents feel crap about themselves.
I work for someone who runs a business putting care workers into care homes. As you can imagine their work load is through the roof and it is an awful and worrying time for them. They are working till four on the morning some days. There is no time to educate their children. And it is not their fault. I do wish people would keep comments about children will fall behind and their parents are faking them to themselves.
My son is doing nothing as he was supposed to be doing his GCSEs.