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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:41
Sounds like you’ve identified the things in your life that need to change. You set your a life totally dependent on 2 incomes & away from all family. Sounds like choices have consequences...

I am so glad you are so rich and smug!

[Anonymous]

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

Oh, go suck a lemon.

[Anonymous]

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.

Repeat after ME: Go eff yourself.

See how that works? Internet strangers can snark at you, too. Was that helpful?

Get a life already, troll.

[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

DUMP your kids? Are you really THIS stupid? You want to talk about executive functioning? What about your sociopathy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's nothing hilarious about any of this, least of all your attitude. Hateful. For 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999% of human history learning has been an in-person activity, and there are tons of studies to indicate that online learning is nowhere near as effective as in person instruction.

But we get it. You are so much smarter, richer, capable and responsible than the rest of us.

[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

My kids love going to school, and I enjoy them being happy and motivated. They are smart and empathetic and have friends. Guessing yours don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PP you're responding to. Don't be nasty, PP. One reality that's emerging from DC's experiment with mass on-line learning is that some kids learn from pre-recorded videos a lot better than others. My high-energy kids also need A TEACHER in front of them to learn well, at least for more than about 15 minutes at a stretch. They do not need constant tutoring; they need a real teacher guiding them. Maybe if they were a couple years older, this wouldn't be the case, at least not as much. I'm hearing about the same problem from pals and neighbors doing their best to homeschool while working their jobs from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There's nothing hilarious about any of this, least of all your attitude. Hateful. For 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999% of human history learning has been an in-person activity, and there are tons of studies to indicate that online learning is nowhere near as effective as in person instruction.

But we get it. You are so much smarter, richer, capable and responsible than the rest of us.

Couldn't agree more. Just not funny that my younger child is struggling to learn from watching mostly dull content delivered via on-line videos.

[Anonymous]

There is no substitute for real live teaching for young kids. Given their attention span especially. Zoom or you tube etc is not the same at all. I think every parent is realizing just how much teachers do to create real lesson plans, bring together multiple subjects etc. this much screen time of any sort is not good for my first grader.

[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.

I’m in a similar spot. DP is essential and I’m teleworking. School takes about 4 hours/day and I figure out the rest.

Not sure why posters are being such assholes about this??

So come June (July/August) yes, I’m looking for constructive ideas to help my kids fill about 4 hours per day. Bribing them to do educational apps or chores so they can have time on video games is one idea... I don’t have much of a yard so that won’t really work for us... I’ll check out Outschool. Other ideas?

Here is an idea that I will try with my DS (8) and DD (9) over summer. They will not have 4 hours each day, instead they might have 1 or 2 programs in math and in reading to stop summer slide and prepare them for an eventual return to school. I would try other online learning like music, art, foreign language, or programming.

[Anonymous]

I think DCPS is doing the best they can. I am not a fan of Bowser, but she has done very well. FCPS started this week! So whatever your issues are, can you imagine being in a situation with nothing from DCPS for the last 5 weeks? It can always be worse. It can always be better. I think it is up to each individual family to decide how to make the best of the situation. Think more about positive and constructive solutions than dwelling on what angers and frustrates you. So when school ends, do what you need to make it work. We all have choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think DCPS is doing the best they can. I am not a fan of Bowser, but she has done very well. FCPS started this week! So whatever your issues are, can you imagine being in a situation with nothing from DCPS for the last 5 weeks? It can always be worse. It can always be better. I think it is up to each individual family to decide how to make the best of the situation. Think more about positive and constructive solutions than dwelling on what angers and frustrates you. So when school ends, do what you need to make it work. We all have choices.

And PG never even really got off the ground! Agree DCPS has done a good job considering Fairfax, PG, and VA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no substitute for real live teaching for young kids. Given their attention span especially. Zoom or you tube etc is not the same at all. I think every parent is realizing just how much teachers do to create real lesson plans, bring together multiple subjects etc. this much screen time of any sort is not good for my first grader.

This, even though I wish we even had live zoom lessons at all. Pre recorded lessons are even worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not the PP you're responding to. Don't be nasty, PP. One reality that's emerging from DC's experiment with mass on-line learning is that some kids learn from pre-recorded videos a lot better than others. My high-energy kids also need A TEACHER in front of them to learn well, at least for more than about 15 minutes at a stretch. They do not need constant tutoring; they need a real teacher guiding them. Maybe if they were a couple years older, this wouldn't be the case, at least not as much. I'm hearing about the same problem from pals and neighbors doing their best to homeschool while working their jobs from home.

Yes.

[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.

+1 I don’t understand why ppl are insisting on an explanation as if they need to Mayor to think for them! The explanation is clear and simple: It’s a global pandemic out here! Many ppl are far more concerned about maintain good health, putting food on the table, and meeting basic needs right now. People ought to be satisfied that distance learning was even an option, and that DCPS scrambled to put something together in the first place! No satisfying you ppl here.