Keeping our options open

debtfreeoneday

One thing a day is a great way to tackle stuff. Little and often. 

savingholmes

Well done on the organising. I'm wishing I'd booked tomorrow off that's for sure.

becky170

I've had a £9 payout from Quidc0 so that has been paid off mortgage. 

Homeschooling has been very up and down with some days involving tears from all parties involved. Trying to stay positive but it's difficult at times. Anyway I'm learning lots of phonics so at least one of us is learning i'm going to have to think of something nice to do at the weekend as I think we all need a pick me up. 

savingholmes

Nice with £co payments come in. Sorry home schooling is so tough. I was on the phone to the school today too - and have a virtual parents evening Monday. Glad mine are older than yours... It sounds tough for you.

becky170

Thanks Savingsholmes! 

Yay it's the weekend. Apart from doing a click and collect for the shopping this weekend I think we'll be hunkering down at home. Yesterday was a no spend day and today should be too. Wet and miserable here. Was hoping for snow but no such luck. I think we'll do some baking later and watch some films together...and if I think I can push my luck a maths or phonics lesson with DS

twinklie

How old is DS @becky170? My DS2 is in reception and he HATES phonics I'm discovering. Really, really HATES it. I'm really struggling to get him on board with that. DS1 is in year 3 and has lots to do but just can't do any of it on his own which makes it really difficult, but I'm trying something new next week so we shall se what happens with that. 

savingholmes

I used phonics videos with my DD - and the songs CD - they had actions...

Bargainhunter30

Same here with phonics. Granny sent us a crazy amount of sweets so we are using those as bribery. Have you watched alphablocks on cbeebies? That's great and you get to have a break whilst they watch something educational. Also reading eggs have a month free trial which is going down well here, lots of educational games. We try to fit in school work where we can 😂

becky170

Thanks everyone for the suggestions DS is 5 in year 1 and has a current hate of writing and reading. There is no chance he'd do any of his lessons by himself as he gets far too distracted so constant supervision required. He really doesn't want to do any of his lessons as they all involve doing some form of writing. We are giving reading eggs ago (he did 5 minutes by himself whilst I checked my work emails) and he previously did teach my monster to read which he enjoyed. School have set them all up with a numbots account, which I thought he'd like but it's a struggle to get him to play. He does like phonics play but he needs supervision to play as he'll just press buttons rather than sounded words out etc. Oh well at least we're trying and he's trying even if it is like pulling teeth. We have been watching numberblocks and phonics YouTube clips (mainly to check that I'm saying the sound correctly) and Andy's dinosaur adventures for research.  I know we're not the only ones struggling but it doesn't help when other mums and dads post what fantastic work their child has done on teams. Oh well 2 weeks done hopefully 4 to go..... 

becky170

P.s. I have also been using bribery tatics Bargain Hunter