Adventures in parenting

[Raggs]

So everyone still loving the home schooling?

Started off treating it like homework, which is obviously wrong, it's not always stuff he knows (or should know), but now needs to learn. Still really struggling with writing stories etc, no idea who he get's that from...

He was never a social animal, seems to struggle a little bit with it, luckily other kids mostly seem to really like him, so that helps. Bit worried that he'll struggle to settle in again when it's finally back to normal though.

How's everyone elses little ones doing?

[Nols]

Was catching up with colleagues after getting back into work during the week.
One woman is Greek, and so is her husband. They speak Greek at home and she's noticed that her son's English has regressed a lot since he's been out of school. Think he's around 5. Will probably catch up very quickly once he's back with other kids, but it's interesting how quickly she saw an appreciable effect.

[FujiKiwi]

Was catching up with colleagues after getting back into work during the week.
One woman is Greek, and so is her husband. They speak Greek at home and she's noticed that her son's English has regressed a lot since he's been out of school. Think he's around 5. Will probably catch up very quickly once he's back with other kids, but it's interesting how quickly she saw an appreciable effect.

If English is the language used at school, the rust will be very temporary. I would see this as having been an extremely positive chance to consolidate the boy's ability in Greek. In situations like the one you describe, the mother tongue is always the one under threat.

[EnergiseR]

Finished the schooling now in line with the school year. It sucked and blowed with having two school going and two under 4. I missed all the initial wfh pressure but am back working now and doing a bit remotely. Trying to find space for calls etc is virtually impossible and I really don't know how people have done months of this. Kids seem happy though

[FujiKiwi]

My missus and I are teachers and our two kids have been doing online learning since March. Often four separate Zoom lessons going on in the house at once. Thank fuck for modern technology and good wifi.

My wife and daughter both started going into school just for mornings, a couple of weeks ago. My son had one short week back before the school closed for summer vacation.

I enjoyed the whole thing, but preparing to teach lessons online is far more time-consuming than teaching in school.

[Slick]

Both under school age, don’t know how we would have coped with me working from home and having to school. Wife has been a bit of a lazy bint with them to be honest, could have done a few more education activities...

Has been interesting seeing the boy meeting friends again, he has definitely gone a bit backwards in terms of socialising but coming back

[EnergiseR]

Fuji our teachers did fück all. One did a pack for Monday that some work had gone into and one zoom call for half an hour on a Wednesday. The other stole a living since March sending an A4 sheet with a few links to websites and three zoom calls in total in 4 months.

[EnergiseR]

Slick our 4 year old regressed socially alright somewhat saved by having siblings. She was and is still very shy though

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Both under school age, don’t know how we would have coped with me working from home and having to school. Wife has been a bit of a lazy bint with them to be honest, could have done a few more education activities...

Has been interesting seeing the boy meeting friends again, he has definitely gone a bit backwards in terms of socialising but coming back

Man I hope you don't leave this window open when you're away from the computer.

[FujiKiwi]

Fuji our teachers did fück all. One did a pack for Monday that some work had gone into and one zoom call for half an hour on a Wednesday. The other stole a living since March sending an A4 sheet with a few links to websites and three zoom calls in total in 4 months.

Jesus Christ. Public or private school? If you don't mind me asking.

[redderneck]

Was catching up with colleagues after getting back into work during the week.
One woman is Greek, and so is her husband. They speak Greek at home and she's noticed that her son's English has regressed a lot since he's been out of school. Think he's around 5. Will probably catch up very quickly once he's back with other kids, but it's interesting how quickly she saw an appreciable effect.

Seen similar here in Belgium. Young lads' French coming along nicely Sep-Mar and then, bang. Cannot even really say it's stalled - it's gone backwards. Not bloody helped by the FR teacher he has doing zero 'live' video-teaching for the duration. She just assigns written work and has them submit it for correction. No verbal work whatsoever. And as far as I'm concerned, no bloody teaching either, which I and other concerned parents are going to have fun with at the next official opportunity. Workshy cow doesn't even interact properly on the corrected homework. Just fires them back their 'scores' and drops new assignments in their inboxes.

He's effectively going to be starting his 2nd year here from scratch,. A year pissed away. He's 15 not 5. He doesn't have the time to lose, not when 4 of his other subjects are taught through French.

Not fcuking happy.

[EnergiseR]

Fuji our teachers did fück all. One did a pack for Monday that some work had gone into and one zoom call for half an hour on a Wednesday. The other stole a living since March sending an A4 sheet with a few links to websites and three zoom calls in total in 4 months.

Jesus Christ. Public or private school? If you don't mind me asking.

Public. Very few private primary schools in Ireland. The standard of remote teaching varies widely school to school. Our school is actually decent enough just the principal seems to have been unprepared and have left a huge amount up to individual teachers. In his defence I am told he was approached by many parents asking for limited zoom calls as they were to much pressure to set up. The funny thing was at the end of the year the really really lazy teacher was given a €250 voucher as a thank you by the parents I was one of few who did not contribute. I am not a total gimp

[Nols]

You emigrated, Redder?

[CM11]

Ours were all pretty good without being spectacular after a shaky start. Always online during school hours. Different styles for work set but plenty per week and as said always available for clarification or comment. Google meet calls started in the last month but before that the senior infant teacher was sending video messages.

I think if it was going to become a thing, they'd need much more to keep learning going but I'd give them a B- for effort for the moment.

[EnergiseR]

I'd give one teacher B+ and the other an F. The former is just a lovely eccentric person and I was wrong to say she did fück all. She could have just done a bit more though I am not sure what that is and she gave such great encouragement. The other is a huge spoofer and not particularly nice with the kids to boot. What they need to do here is give clear guidance from the Dept I.e. do this and that not make it up as you go along.

[Margin__Walker]

It's been a grind really. My lad's 4 next month and we've both been working full time and juggling childcare. He's was a mixed pre school/reception class and was due to go back a few weeks ago. They didn't have the capacity in the end so that's it for him until he starts properly at a different school in September.

Complicated by us moving in January, so he doesn't have his friends from before around the corner. He's doing okay, but trying to come up with interesting things for him to do 24/7 is tough. He's usually pretty sociable, so is definitely finding the situation strange (especially as an only child) and his behaviour has deteriorated as a result. He'll be fine and it's nice spending so much time with him, but September can't come soon enough.

[FujiKiwi]

Fuji our teachers did fück all. One did a pack for Monday that some work had gone into and one zoom call for half an hour on a Wednesday. The other stole a living since March sending an A4 sheet with a few links to websites and three zoom calls in total in 4 months.

Jesus Christ. Public or private school? If you don't mind me asking.

Public. Very few private primary schools in Ireland. The standard of remote teaching varies widely school to school. Our school is actually decent enough just the principal seems to have been unprepared and have left a huge amount up to individual teachers. In his defence I am told he was approached by many parents asking for limited zoom calls as they were to much pressure to set up. The funny thing was at the end of the year the really really lazy teacher was given a €250 voucher as a thank you by the parents I was one of few who did not contribute. I am not a total gimp

Sounds like you got unlucky with the teacher, rather than it being a private/public school issue, which makes sense, because I have teacher friends in public systems around the world and I know they've been slaving their guts out on this distance learning thing.

[Slick]

Slick our 4 year old regressed socially alright somewhat saved by having siblings. She was and is still very shy though

Aye, he’s 4 next month. The good think is that him and his 2 year old sister are getting on really well and enjoying each other’s company

[Raggs]

No online teaching for my 8 year old. Work set out at the start of the week, with links for some explanations if needed. They watch explanation videos if needed, answer the sheets, and submit them on Google classroom.

Teacher is available for questions, and replies quickly enough to messages for the most part. Not the best, not the worst I guess.

Looking to moving him to a private school soon.

[redderneck]

You emigrated, Redder?

Nah, just on my wanders. Will be back in a few years. Bang of campfire offa me so there is boss.

[Raggs]

So just a bump for this one.

Found an amazing series recently for my 8 year old son. He loves reading my old beanos, but can find longer stories a bit trickier (loses interest), he can manage short stories fairly well.

Science comics. Here's an example of one of my boys favourites (and it is amazing): https://books.apple.com/gb/book/science ... 1252537660

Just using the link that shows it as best as possible in terms of images.

He read it straight through as soon as he got it, then again a day later. Really impressively informative (we had a discussion about b-cells, t-cells etc etc after).

Got quite a few for him, polar bears has been another big hit. Some don't seem to have such a good storyline, and struggle a bit to hold the interest, but despite the cost (between £8-10) they've been well worth it. I'll probably sell them on after, and recoup some cash back.

There's more new ones coming too, hoping they'll be of a similar quality.

[Slick]

Took the boy swimming this morning at my gym. I was getting a bit frustrated with him not wanting to give it a go and saying he felt he was sinking even though he was really coming on before lockdown.

It suddenly clicked that he couldn’t remember his last swim 6 months ago. Suddenly felt very guilty... anyway, took it slow and it all clicked back in to place for him by the end.

Fucking virus

[Steve]

Kids are shite and everybody knows it.

[assfly]

Anybody with experience in having "the talk"?

My 7 year old son is asking an increasing amount of questions, and he's spotted some loopholes in my "special hug" theory.

[Yeeb]

Anybody with experience in having "the talk"?

My 7 year old son is asking an increasing amount of questions, and he's spotted some loopholes in my "special hug" theory.

Have to have this soon with my 9 y o daughter who is ‘developing’ shall we say - I’m totally gonna leave it to my wife to sort out

Kids already know it involves Lulus and to always tell us if anyone does or says anything about their privates.

[Yeeb]

Anybody with experience in having "the talk"?

My 7 year old son is asking an increasing amount of questions, and he's spotted some loopholes in my "special hug" theory.

Have to have this soon with my 9 y o daughter who is ‘developing’ shall we say - I’m totally gonna leave it to my wife to sort out

Kids already know it involves Lulus and to always tell us if anyone does or says anything about their privates. Might pinch that phrase ‘special hug’

[Bullet]

Different adventure this week adjusting after our eldest moved out. I've been too busy as removal service and Ikea collection man with a van but my wife struggled with her not being about on days off.

[PornDog]

So just a bump for this one.

Found an amazing series recently for my 8 year old son. He loves reading my old beanos, but can find longer stories a bit trickier (loses interest), he can manage short stories fairly well.

Science comics. Here's an example of one of my boys favourites (and it is amazing): https://books.apple.com/gb/book/science ... 1252537660

Just using the link that shows it as best as possible in terms of images.

He read it straight through as soon as he got it, then again a day later. Really impressively informative (we had a discussion about b-cells, t-cells etc etc after).

Got quite a few for him, polar bears has been another big hit. Some don't seem to have such a good storyline, and struggle a bit to hold the interest, but despite the cost (between £8-10) they've been well worth it. I'll probably sell them on after, and recoup some cash back.

There's more new ones coming too, hoping they'll be of a similar quality.

Just ordered a few of them - nice one

[Raggs]

So just a bump for this one.

Found an amazing series recently for my 8 year old son. He loves reading my old beanos, but can find longer stories a bit trickier (loses interest), he can manage short stories fairly well.

Science comics. Here's an example of one of my boys favourites (and it is amazing): https://books.apple.com/gb/book/science ... 1252537660

Just using the link that shows it as best as possible in terms of images.

He read it straight through as soon as he got it, then again a day later. Really impressively informative (we had a discussion about b-cells, t-cells etc etc after).

Got quite a few for him, polar bears has been another big hit. Some don't seem to have such a good storyline, and struggle a bit to hold the interest, but despite the cost (between £8-10) they've been well worth it. I'll probably sell them on after, and recoup some cash back.

There's more new ones coming too, hoping they'll be of a similar quality.

Just ordered a few of them - nice one

Let me know how they go.

[Slick]

First day at school for the eldest. That was emotional...

[Raggs]

First day at school for the eldest. That was emotional...

Wow, I'm guessing it was you that was emotional more than them?

[Slick]

First day at school for the eldest. That was emotional...

Wow, I'm guessing it was you that was emotional more than them?

Absolutely! He marched in leaving us in a mess

[inactionman]

Our little 'uns start nursery next week, they were keen as mustard all through summer but now reality hits there's a few more disturbed nights.

Holding the elder back for extra year at nursery as her birthdate is on the cusp of two school years, it'll be good to get them in same nursery and different classes - make some friends and socialise separately but still have comfort that the other is there.

[Slick]

Our little 'uns start nursery next week, they were keen as mustard all through summer but now reality hits there's a few more disturbed nights.

Holding the elder back for extra year at nursery as her birthdate is on the cusp of two school years, it'll be good to get them in same nursery and different classes - make some friends and socialise separately but still have comfort that the other is there.

First day at nursery is a tough one for everyone. We did similar and had them in different classes for those reasons. Until the wee one became a smartarse and got promoted

[Raggs]

Our little 'uns start nursery next week, they were keen as mustard all through summer but now reality hits there's a few more disturbed nights.

Holding the elder back for extra year at nursery as her birthdate is on the cusp of two school years, it'll be good to get them in same nursery and different classes - make some friends and socialise separately but still have comfort that the other is there.

First day at nursery is a tough one for everyone. We did similar and had them in different classes for those reasons. Until the wee one became a smartarse and got promoted

Ours started daycare from 6 months, so there was no big crazy deal over nursery thankfully. Considering school was in a new country, he was bloody fantastic on day 1 as well, much better then me or his mum! Been lucky on the front that he's rarely been upset to go, it's happened a few times but not too much.

[Thor Sedan]

I feel like we have been doing it pretty tough.

2 Boys - 11 and almost 10 - both on the autism spectrum. One severely and one 'mild'.

Our child who exhibits the most autistic behaviours is fiercely social. He adored being around other kids and seeks out one on one interaction every chance he gets. Lockdown has been really tough for him - he struggles with anxiety around other kids now because he is acutely aware that he might never see them again. Transitions from being around his peers to going home are a nightmare - many an afternoon has been spent providing emotional support for a very tired Mum who is basically running on empty every day. Home school was completely pointless for him. Teachers tried their best - but getting him to focus in a home environment didn't compute with him at all.

'Mild' child developed extreme anxiety and is now school refusing. He loved school - is a super bright spark and had a great little group of friends. Now he breaks down even when we drive him into the school car park. Lots of work to be done on our side - school have kind of dropped the ball in this circumstance. Home school went well at the start - but as things wore on so did his issues with perfectionism. He couldn't hand in work because he felt it was never finished. He lost all confidence talking on the video chat with the rest of the class.

Pretty heart-breaking really.

So yeah - it has been a rough 520 odd days since lockdown. So many kids have struggled - and I guess will continue to for possibly years to come.

Doesn't help that we have friends whose kids have excelled during the period - lots of social media photos of their kids doing amazing things with the tasks given, 'Oh isn't my little Johnny so clever and creative and sporty' etc etc......hard to read and see sometimes.

Parenting is feckin hard.

[inactionman]

I feel like we have been doing it pretty tough.

2 Boys - 11 and almost 10 - both on the autism spectrum. One severely and one 'mild'.

Our child who exhibits the most autistic behaviours is fiercely social. He adored being around other kids and seeks out one on one interaction every chance he gets. Lockdown has been really tough for him - he struggles with anxiety around other kids now because he is acutely aware that he might never see them again. Transitions from being around his peers to going home are a nightmare - many an afternoon has been spent providing emotional support for a very tired Mum who is basically running on empty every day. Home school was completely pointless for him. Teachers tried their best - but getting him to focus in a home environment didn't compute with him at all.

'Mild' child developed extreme anxiety and is now school refusing. He loved school - is a super bright spark and had a great little group of friends. Now he breaks down even when we drive him into the school car park. Lots of work to be done on our side - school have kind of dropped the ball in this circumstance. Home school went well at the start - but as things wore on so did his issues with perfectionism. He couldn't hand in work because he felt it was never finished. He lost all confidence talking on the video chat with the rest of the class.

Pretty heart-breaking really.

So yeah - it has been a rough 520 odd days since lockdown. So many kids have struggled - and I guess will continue to for possibly years to come.

Doesn't help that we have friends whose kids have excelled during the period - lots of social media photos of their kids doing amazing things with the tasks given, 'Oh isn't my little Johnny so clever and creative and sporty' etc etc......hard to read and see sometimes.

Parenting is feckin hard.

Sorry to hear mate, but (I'm hoping I'm not being condescending) having parents who really, really understand and act for their kids is such a fantastic thing, there will always be hard moments but you'll get through them. As you note, they've previously been really happy but lockdown has knocked them sidewards, I'm sure time and support will 'right the ship'. Yep, some significant time has been missed in terms of education, in its place some significant time has been spent with parents which is invaluable - if exhausting.

In terms of the bolded, if there's one thing I've learnt about social media is that many people who portray their perfect life have anything but, and it's a way of compensating. Johnny probably was pretty good at football, but has broken half the windows in the house and throws a wobbly every time he's not passed the ball. (I'm being unfair on many social media users, as who would post a photo of their kid having a meltdown? You'll only ever see the good times, so you necessarily get a very unrealistic picture)

[Raggs]

Friend of mine said (don't know if it was originally his), that social media is like deodorant. It covers the stink of real life.

Ignore their social media, it's a skewed representation of their life at best, and fake at worst.

[Margin__Walker]

Sorry to hear that Thor. Parenting can definitely be incredibly tough, although most are fortunate not to have that kind of challenge to deal with.

As well as my boy, I also help out with some wrap around childcare for my 7yo nephew who has recently been diagnosed. He's always had some heavy behavioural quirks and anxieties, but it's become much more prominent over the last year or two. The biggest issue at the moment is anxiety he has around eating. He goes through phases of refusing to eat (with associated weight loss) as a result of a fear of choking or being sick. He often has panic attacks over it and has recently taken to making himself sick after eating to maintain control over the process.

It's obviously hugely stressful for his parents, so I can only imagine what it's like to have to deal day to day with your situation. Hopefully the return to some sort of normality will result in a little more structure and certainty that they can rely on.

[Slick]

That sounds tough Thor, but I absolutely echo everything inactionman says, you are giving them your best and that is what will count in the long run. They are both very lucky to have you guys.

I really think we dodged a bullet not having kids of school age during all this, so I've nothing but respect for those that have dealt with it in myriad ways. Well done.