What did you learn from homeschooling your children? Share with Epson – £200 voucher to be won

[JustineBMumsnet]

Now that most children are back in their physical schools, you might now (finally!) have time to sit down and reflect on the whirlwind experience of home educating your children during a pandemic. Whether your experience involved convincing yourself that watching a vaguely educational documentary counts as a lesson; navigating printing a never-ending stream of worksheets and constantly running out of ink; or wondering why, as an adult, you didn’t understand most of your child’s set work, Epson would like to hear about what you’ve learned from homeschooling your children.

Here’s what Epson has to say: “After months of juggling work and home schooling, parents across the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief. A recent study has shown that 60% of parents preferred teaching their kids using paper rather than a screen. However, printing can come with its frustrations, whether it’s running out of ink at a crucial moment to expensive cartridge costs.

Epson’s flexible ink subscription model, ReadyPrint, means you can print as much as you like without ever running out of ink while saving up to 70% on ink costs…no more last-minute panic when there’s a piece of homework due tomorrow!

Printing shouldn’t be a burden for parents. ReadyPrint helps save you money and gives you peace of mind with ink delivered straight to your door before you run out, making printing as easy as A, B, C.”

Have you learned that Year 5 Maths is a lot harder than you remember it being? Maybe you’ve become aware of just how much your children rely on screens - both in and outside of the classroom - and want to find more ways for your children to use printed resources? Have you noticed an increase in the cost of those learning materials? Maybe you picked up some tips you’d like to share with parents homeschooling (whether short or long-term) in the future? Perhaps running out of ink, paper, or other learning materials at the most inconvenient of times made you realise just how helpful flexible subscription services could be?

All who share what they learned from homeschooling their children on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks, and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

[Kittyme]

I have increased respect for teachers, classroom assistants and the support staff. They all do a fantastic job!!! I learned that teaching has changed so much since I was at school. Although I found home schooling a little hard at times I did enjoy being part of my children's learning and education.

[mrscatmad31]

I actually enjoyed home schooling, it helped me understand the level my child was learning at and we had lots of fun doing the activities. She is learning much better at school though, so I'm glad she's back

[Longdistance]

I learnt that printer inks were completely unattainable during a lockdown and massively expensive for what they are.

[LibrariesGiveUsPower45321]

I learnt that teachers need significant pay raises.

[fourandnomore]

I learned how young children are taught to read, write and learn with two reception age children at home and how wonderful their teachers are. I learned how tiring learning is for my children.

I learned that my eight year old had very low confidence in maths, even though with the right approach she is actually very good at it. I learned she knows a lot about animals too.

I learned that my 10 year old is very independent and able to manage her own work, which really helped prepare her for high school next year. I also learned that she likes a bit of company when working even when she doesn’t need help.

Even with four kids homeschooling I learned that we all have had days and they’re often at different times so you just have to accept that some days will be a write off and some will be a win. I learned that I don’t have endless patience, but almost. As the months went on the shouting and outbursts became less and in the end I enjoyed it and felt a sense of loss when they went back to school.

[claza93]

I learned that bribery got me everywhere!

That we could not have done it all without a printer,

I learnt that as long as the kids were reading, getting fresh air and stayed off devices for longer than an hour I was winning!

[nerysw]

I already thought my kids teachers were great but even more so after homeschooling. I learnt that I'm not as patient as I thought and my kids are great. I lowered my standards and gave them more screen time and time to play and we appreciated our garden a lot more.

[duck22]

I have perfected my phonics.....and I definitely don't want to be a teacher

[EsmeeMerlin]

I learnt that I would rather shoot heroin directly into my eyeballs than ever teach my son another literacy lesson again.

I also learnt that my son learns better and engages more with project based learning than worksheets. We did a lot of practical work.

[JustineBMumsnet]

Thanks all for your comments! The winner of the prize draw is @AudTheDeepMinded