Any parents struggling just keeping on top of distance learning?

[Anonymous]

I'm losing my mind. My kids each have 6+ different platforms (we're in DCPS and it's a total lie that everything is on canvas) and multiple assignments due each day. I have a kindergartener and second grader so they both need lots of help. Between staying on top of their *insane* schedules and helping them understand what work they have, I am totally drowning. My work is even light right now so when things ramp up for me next month I have no idea how I'm going to manage. This is making me feel so dumb and incompetent that I'm going to totally lose it.

[Anonymous]

Yep. We're FCPS but my 4th grader has a boatload of assignments.

[Anonymous]

Same here. My 5th grader is a week behind in his assignments (I just learned). The teachers finally put all assignments in one document with links to the actual place where they need to do the work.

[Anonymous]

My goal for my older kids is just to get them to manage their own work the first semester. I don't care how they do, I need them just to learn to do it and double check that they've done it.

[Anonymous]

YES. I always feel like I'm a few steps behind. I read all the week-ahead emails but it's still hard to keep track. I ask my 5th grader if she's done all her assignments, and she says yes but I have no way of actually knowing if she did. I guess I'll hear from her teachers if she's not! And my 2nd grader is just bored.
Good times!

[Anonymous]

yes- my third grader isn't too proficient in google pages, so certain homework becomes a family activity

[Anonymous]

No. We're in MCPS, I have 4 school aged children (ES to HS) one in Special Ed that I have to be with the entire day for DL, but I am not struggling. My other children are independent with their work, assignments, and zoom meetings, which helps a lot. I browse Canvas to make sure all assignments are completed. I created and printed a spreadsheet of all of their class meeting IDs and PWs, and daily scheduled classes, and put it up on the wall by their desks, so they know exactly when, and where they're supposed to be, and how to login to where they're supposed to be. My younger ES kids haven't had any problems, yet... thankfully. If yours have a lot classes, too, it might help to do something like that if they're having trouble navigating the different platforms. I hope it gets better for you and them as time goes on.

[Anonymous]

I'm just ignoring my kinder's "homework".

[Anonymous]

My husband has been away for many weeks for a family emergency overseas and I have to WFH. I am 99% uninvolved in schooling, about 85% of that because I literally can't be and/or am otherwise exhausted (I could probably manage a little more).

Everything seems to be going fine.

I'm not sure if this is because:

1) My 2nd grader is relatively mature/responsible/capable and everything IS going fine.

2) Her teacher is a superhero who is also not assigning anything my kid would struggle with and is holding her students' hands through any tough parts, so everything IS going fine.

3) I am truly clueless and my lack of involvement is all about to blow up in my face.

4) Some combination of the above.

I'm guessing #4.

[Anonymous]

I was having these issues in the spring. I pulled them out of school and am homeschooling instead. It’s pretty easy to stay on top of it since I am in charge of it, there are no platforms, and it occurs around my schedule.
Bonus, grandparents and family can help out over FaceTime or zoom.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Just don't do it. Seriously. For Kindergarten and 2nd grade?? Just no. Why are so many people stressing and worrying about K homework and assignments??

My kid signs into class and somewhat pays attention. I *think* he's done what he needs to but I'm not logging in to check every different app every day. He doesn't do it, oh well. He's 5th grade. We've yet to have any actual work. Maybe I'll check in when he does. This will probably be November knowing APS. I'm not stressing about it. Nor am I willing to fight with my son about it. It sucks all around and I'm not going to add to his stress or mine.

[Anonymous]

Have a 4th grade boy in FCPS. He gets in and off by himself at the appointed time without reminding. We don’t monitor whether he turns in his assignments. I emailed the teacher today to let her know that we are taking a hands off approach and it is his responsibility to submit work on time. If she sees that the timeliness or quality of work is slipping, we want to know about it. Other than that, we aren’t going to hover. This is a great opportunity to teach life lessons about personal responsibility. Not all kids are wired the same, but this is an appropriate approach for this child.

[Anonymous]

After my call, text, AND email yesterday from FCPS telling me my son didn't log in for K yesterday I'd say I'm also in the "failing" group! DH and I WFH full time and also have a 3 year old at home so our nanny can't help much with DL. I don't make my son go back after lunch, either. By lunch time he is burnt out so I said screw it, we're done, he misses his "PE" class because he's actually playing outside!

[Anonymous]

This is a rhetorical question, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a rhetorical question, right?

Not rhetorical because I can’t imagine so many high achieving parents letting their kids get bad grades and not turn in homework. Seriously, I am doing okay with 3-4 hours of work now but in the coming weeks that will not fly. I presume most of you have pretty demanding jobs. How are you able to turn off hitting all your deadlines? Because this feels like a lot of extra deadlines for me. Are you letting the teachers know it’s too much or somehow becoming apathetic about your kids’ performance? Are you worried your children will learn grades don’t matter or are you having discussions about this?

To the PP above who’s not struggling, how old are your kids and what school district are they in?