honest question - what do we do with our kids after May 29?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umm, be a parent and take care of your kids...

That’s super-helpful advice for how to occupy kids while both parents are trying to work at least eight hours a day, thanks.

Ok- try this
My husband works 6am-1 pm. I work 12-7 (DS is on screens from 12-1).
See how that works?

so, neither of you are working a full day. And what happens when your husband has calls in the afternoon and evening? or you have to have calls or something comes up at 9am? you just don't do it? This is great if you and your spouse both have complete control over your schedules, but that's not the case for most people.

You all want to stomp & shout about how unfair this is. It sucks- as mostly for the folks who aren’t working at all or died.
Make a schedule. Does stuff come up? Yes! All the time! But it’s not always & we manage. The lack of executive functioning skills on this board is alarming.

Lack of executive functioning? Is that what you call it? Are you nuts?
Look around - everything is closed. No libraries, no playgrounds, no sports, no pools, no playdates. No babysitters. Grandparents are staying away because they're vulnerable. We are in the middle of a global pandemic in which all most of society outside of the virtual world has ground to a halt and you think parents who are at their wits' end trying to care for children and work full time month after month a question of executive functioning?!!?

Assume you are some kind of horrid troll.

Not a troll. Just had the number of kids I could be 100% responsible for 100% of the time. And, took a career shift/salary cut/lifestyle down grade that made managing kids & career possible. Interesting that all the rage is at schools for not being open to dump your kids. And not at employers who are demanding full time work while you are at home with kids. We prioritize what we value

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew this was coming and I'm still SO ANGRY. The work from school and the connections to the other kids is what is keeping my kid in a routine and alleviating anxiety. This just leaves us all to fend for ourselves and is totally abandoning the kids.

Repeat after me: as parents we are 100% responsible for our children 100% of the time.

Shut up. Seriously. Of course we are 100% responsible for them. No one is saying that we, as parents, aren't responsible for them. But this isn't 1920. We don't have a full-time stay at home parent who can just spend 100% of their time on childcare and ignore the responsibilities we have to our employers/employees/customers/clients/patients. We don't have a family safety net, because we all scattered away from our home towns. But we still have to do our jobs, too.

Most of us are currently juggling two full time working parents with multiple kids at home. I have a 9 year old and a newly 3 year old. My employer has been understanding, but as this goes on, and becomes a new normal, the expectation will be that I can do my job as well as if I was in my office. There will have to be an answer to "what do we do with our kids" if stay at home continues for weeks and months without school/camp/childcare, because the reality is that most families rely on it in order to be functional workers.

See don't you get your anger is miss placed. Our country doesn't value families and health over money. If employers offered paid family leave, more sick time, part-time hours with professional pay. If we had national health care and more social supports all of this would be less. And of families could live with less stuff, have affordable housing we wouldn't all have to work 40+ hours a week.
Oh, funded schools so we could have smaller class size of 10-15 kids per class that would help too.

I get you are angery but to think this is going to change dramaticly or go back to normal in the next few months is setting your sled up to be more angery.

Sign up for some online learning programs or tutors or babysitter. If you have the money getsome out door toys for your patio or yard. Figure out how to make it work if nothing changes for the next year or more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umm, be a parent and take care of your kids...

That’s super-helpful advice for how to occupy kids while both parents are trying to work at least eight hours a day, thanks.

Ok- try this
My husband works 6am-1 pm. I work 12-7 (DS is on screens from 12-1).
See how that works?

so, neither of you are working a full day. And what happens when your husband has calls in the afternoon and evening? or you have to have calls or something comes up at 9am? you just don't do it? This is great if you and your spouse both have complete control over your schedules, but that's not the case for most people.

You all want to stomp & shout about how unfair this is. It sucks- as mostly for the folks who aren’t working at all or died.
Make a schedule. Does stuff come up? Yes! All the time! But it’s not always & we manage. The lack of executive functioning skills on this board is alarming.

Lack of executive functioning? Is that what you call it? Are you nuts?
Look around - everything is closed. No libraries, no playgrounds, no sports, no pools, no playdates. No babysitters. Grandparents are staying away because they're vulnerable. We are in the middle of a global pandemic in which all most of society outside of the virtual world has ground to a halt and you think parents who are at their wits' end trying to care for children and work full time month after month a question of executive functioning?!!?

Assume you are some kind of horrid troll.

Not a troll. Just had the number of kids I could be 100% responsible for 100% of the time. And, took a career shift/salary cut/lifestyle down grade that made managing kids & career possible. Interesting that all the rage is at schools for not being open to dump your kids. And not at employers who are demanding full time work while you are at home with kids. We prioritize what we value

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. currently, our kids have school work to complete and spend about four hours per day either on the work or on video calls with teachers. We figure out the rest of the time. But once "school" is over, that will leave a daily hole. Unfortunately DH and I are in adjacent fields, so our hours are similar. I appreciate the ideas you guys are coming up with - more chores, more exercise, etc. Sometimes it's hard though with 7, 9 yos to let them roam free here in the city. Guess I'll have to learn some free-range parenting this summer.

There are a number of home school programs and online Learning with video lessons. Many are free right know like Moby, Kumon and tons of others. Check them out while they are free keep what you like when they start to charge.
We are also doing educational screen time with PBS, NPR and Disney+ watch /listen to program. Give us a report, answer these questions about the show etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew this was coming and I'm still SO ANGRY. The work from school and the connections to the other kids is what is keeping my kid in a routine and alleviating anxiety. This just leaves us all to fend for ourselves and is totally abandoning the kids.

I am also all caps angry. I get we can't go back. Simply deciding, just because now it's not breaking the law, to fully shut down is infuriating. And with zero explanation to the public about why that choice was made.

Same. I don't understand why they made this choice and would appreciate an explanation. If the idea is to start back sooner in the fall when it will hopefully be safer, say that. If the idea is to teach teachers how to manage distance learning in the fall, say that. I hate being in the dark and not knowing what's on the table.

They did say that. Did you listen to the press conference? The Mayor said she was hoping we can start the school year 3 weeks earlier to compensate. Of course a lot will go into that like negotiating with the union, facilities, and of course monitoring the state of the pandemic.

I am not a Bowser fan but I’m perplexed by all the anger. This is a fast moving situation and I think DCPS has handled it better than many other school districts.

Actually NO she didn't say they would be starting early. She said they were looking into different options about how to make up the lost learning, including maybe starting early. That doesn't mean 3 weeks of full time school, they don't have to make up the days.

The Chancellor also said they would let everyone know as to which students might be eligible for whatever summer programs or other education progarms. They are not going to open this up to everyone IF they do it at all.

Y'all better be ready to start school in the fall.. at home or in a building or likely a repeat of both.

[Anonymous]

Buy more Nintendo Switch games

[Anonymous]

Parent. It’s a verb.

[Anonymous]

Work. It’s a verb.

[Anonymous]

Yeah this was a bit of a kick to the stomach today. Knew something was coming, but didn't expect this. I know it's hard for teachers, and some kids, but this really helps my kids maintain a sense of connection and relationships (middle school age). I feel badly for my kids.

[Anonymous]

We both work full time and can be flexible but I’m going to be honest. I’m annoyed being at home, all of use together 24/7. It’s not about managing, it’s about mental health. I don’t want to be around my kids 24/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew this was coming and I'm still SO ANGRY. The work from school and the connections to the other kids is what is keeping my kid in a routine and alleviating anxiety. This just leaves us all to fend for ourselves and is totally abandoning the kids.

I am also all caps angry. I get we can't go back. Simply deciding, just because now it's not breaking the law, to fully shut down is infuriating. And with zero explanation to the public about why that choice was made.

Same. I don't understand why they made this choice and would appreciate an explanation. If the idea is to start back sooner in the fall when it will hopefully be safer, say that. If the idea is to teach teachers how to manage distance learning in the fall, say that. I hate being in the dark and not knowing what's on the table.

They did say that. Did you listen to the press conference? The Mayor said she was hoping we can start the school year 3 weeks earlier to compensate. Of course a lot will go into that like negotiating with the union, facilities, and of course monitoring the state of the pandemic.

I am not a Bowser fan but I’m perplexed by all the anger. This is a fast moving situation and I think DCPS has handled it better than many other school districts.

If that’s the case (opening early) I’m fine with it. I can’t believe you’re getting four uninterrupted hours out of your school right now (some PP). My kids are younger so it’s all on me to implement lessons and so if they stop not much will change. They’re not doing much anyway and nothing that is occupying my kids for even an hour without my attention. Putting them on an app buys me a lot more time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew this was coming and I'm still SO ANGRY. The work from school and the connections to the other kids is what is keeping my kid in a routine and alleviating anxiety. This just leaves us all to fend for ourselves and is totally abandoning the kids.

I am also all caps angry. I get we can't go back. Simply deciding, just because now it's not breaking the law, to fully shut down is infuriating. And with zero explanation to the public about why that choice was made.

Same. I don't understand why they made this choice and would appreciate an explanation. If the idea is to start back sooner in the fall when it will hopefully be safer, say that. If the idea is to teach teachers how to manage distance learning in the fall, say that. I hate being in the dark and not knowing what's on the table.

+1. What the hell? Why cut the school year short by several weeks rather than extend it into the summer for those who want to stay on board? Nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. currently, our kids have school work to complete and spend about four hours per day either on the work or on video calls with teachers. We figure out the rest of the time. But once "school" is over, that will leave a daily hole. Unfortunately DH and I are in adjacent fields, so our hours are similar. I appreciate the ideas you guys are coming up with - more chores, more exercise, etc. Sometimes it's hard though with 7, 9 yos to let them roam free here in the city. Guess I'll have to learn some free-range parenting this summer.

There are a number of home school programs and online Learning with video lessons. Many are free right know like Moby, Kumon and tons of others. Check them out while they are free keep what you like when they start to charge.
We are also doing educational screen time with PBS, NPR and Disney+ watch /listen to program. Give us a report, answer these questions about the show etc

We're willing to pay for Out School instruction (around $20 an hour), because all their learning is live, with an instructor teaching each class.

My 7 and 9 year old just don't do well on learning programs without an adult teaching in real time. The many pre-recorded classes their teachers feed us tend to go in one ear and out the other. Same with Moby and Kumon. No teacher interacting with the kids, no point in this house. They just pretend to learn, or zone out completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. currently, our kids have school work to complete and spend about four hours per day either on the work or on video calls with teachers. We figure out the rest of the time. But once "school" is over, that will leave a daily hole. Unfortunately DH and I are in adjacent fields, so our hours are similar. I appreciate the ideas you guys are coming up with - more chores, more exercise, etc. Sometimes it's hard though with 7, 9 yos to let them roam free here in the city. Guess I'll have to learn some free-range parenting this summer.

There are a number of home school programs and online Learning with video lessons. Many are free right know like Moby, Kumon and tons of others. Check them out while they are free keep what you like when they start to charge.
We are also doing educational screen time with PBS, NPR and Disney+ watch /listen to program. Give us a report, answer these questions about the show etc

We're willing to pay for Out School instruction (around $20 an hour), because all their learning is live, with an instructor teaching each class.

My 7 and 9 year old just don't do well on learning programs without an adult teaching in real time. The many pre-recorded classes their teachers feed us tend to go in one ear and out the other. Same with Moby and Kumon. No teacher interacting with the kids, no point in this house. They just pretend to learn, or zone out completely.

Hilarious, in other words your kids need constant tutoring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. currently, our kids have school work to complete and spend about four hours per day either on the work or on video calls with teachers. We figure out the rest of the time. But once "school" is over, that will leave a daily hole. Unfortunately DH and I are in adjacent fields, so our hours are similar. I appreciate the ideas you guys are coming up with - more chores, more exercise, etc. Sometimes it's hard though with 7, 9 yos to let them roam free here in the city. Guess I'll have to learn some free-range parenting this summer.

There are a number of home school programs and online Learning with video lessons. Many are free right know like Moby, Kumon and tons of others. Check them out while they are free keep what you like when they start to charge.
We are also doing educational screen time with PBS, NPR and Disney+ watch /listen to program. Give us a report, answer these questions about the show etc

Where can I find free Kumon? I can’t find that online.