Help from FT working parents with children at school

Kaz2904

When mine were younger, DH would have both in DS's bedroom to read him his story, then he and DD would go to her room to get her reading done (she's 2 yrs older).
Now, for the last couple of years, the kids do their spellings/tables on the loo while DH or I am in the bath. Generally when I'm having a bath and trying to get ready for work.
They complained initially but I pointed out that they were coming and having a poo while I couldn't go elsewhere, so they might as well do their tables too !
Menu planning and slow cooker are helpful but at that age, we tried to do it by stealth, read road signs as Mummy's looking for a particular name etc.

Kaz2904

sweetme wrote: »

It's darned hard being a working mum, you are certainly NOT a crap mum.

THIS. Above all else.

meritaten

Its not just FT working mums - my Dil works about 20 - 25 hours a week (starts at sparrowfart) and finds its really difficult to fit in GSs 'reading' time, his other homework, plus making costumes, researching whatever topic, etc. He is only in reception!
Listening to the young mums in the yard - they dont mind 'helping' but the amount of 'helping' is now getting ridiculous!

gibson123

balletshoes wrote: »

okay, how about you oversee the homework at your mum's before you bring the kids home? That way your mum can look after the younger ones - it should only take an extra 15 minutes or so at that age.

This is a brilliant idea, by the times the wee ones are in bed, your older ones are too tired for homework.

gibson123

And try to fit in reading and counting when doing everyday things like shopping and being in the car, my DD could read supermarket labels and count money before she could do her homework. You can also play counting games like buzz in the car and alphabet games like - when I went to the zoo.

Time_to_get_up_and_go_2-2

Thank you all!!
I'll try a few of the suggestions this week and see how it goes (I'm glad we don't have visitors as the housework gets left till weekend!

I do have to just plan everything as though I was on my own with the kids and then I'm not reliant on the OH to help.
I'm determined to spend more time with him to get him up to speed but it juggling the younger siblings that's the issue

esmy

I thought level 5 was above the expected level for the end of primary ie age 11?? Maybe a teacher can clarify?

The idea of doing it at your Mums is a great one.

I had very mixed feelings about formal 'homework' in the early years at primary - DD1 managed fine, DD2 would become distressed and tearful. So- we just didn't do it unless she was in the mood for it and told the teachers that we wouldn't be forcing the issue. She's not suffered for this approach at all.

Savvy_Sue

Benson wrote: »

My OH can get in at 7.30 -8pm after being out since 6.30 so usually wants to have a bit of a breather before tackling the nightmare bed routines

Wouldn't we all like a bit of a breather at times?

Time_to_get_up_and_go wrote: »

I do have to just plan everything as though I was on my own with the kids and then I'm not reliant on the OH to help.

And does your OH know that you're operating that way, and is he happy with the situation?

I do partly appreciate where you're coming from, because DH was often in late and / or dashing out again when the boys were younger, but when he WAS there he would always prioritise whatever I needed help with rather than looking for 'a bit of a breather'.

Time_to_get_up_and_go_2-2

esmy wrote: »

I thought level 5 was above the expected level for the end of primary ie age 11?? Maybe a teacher can clarify?

The idea of doing it at your Mums is a great one.

I had very mixed feelings about formal 'homework' in the early years at primary - DD1 managed fine, DD2 would become distressed and tearful. So- we just didn't do it unless she was in the mood for it and told the teachers that we wouldn't be forcing the issue. She's not suffered for this approach at all.

The level 5 is of the Oxford reading tree books, the rest of the class are 5-6 some even higher, but DS is only just on level 3.

He gets spelling tests once a week so has to learn these, with a set homework task once a week so this is ok but the reading has to be done every night for him to keep up.
When I did it every other night or less he really fell behind everyone.

tooldle

I got around this problem myself, by dedicating Friday to a bit of reading as soon as we got home. Friday worked for me in that it really didn't matter if bedtime, dinner, sandwich boxes, washing, ironing etc all happened latter in the evening than normal. I would then follow up with more reading over the weekend, giving three concentrated sessions in a row.
Maybe it's not the timing as such, but finding a way in which all three can be included. Could you perhaps come up with a game in which the younger two can participate, but the older one has to read. Perhaps playing pairs, using cards with pictures and words. I'm not a teacher, just guessing that repeated practice of the words used in the Oxford Reading Tree Books, is surely as useful as reading the whole book.