This is not one of my photographs, I have taken from last weeks school newsletter. It’s the Little Man when he was at school and it has made me realise just how much we are missing school.

Really Missing School
It’s been a tough few weeks and I’ve come to the conclusion that our main problem is that we are missing school. This has come to a real shock for me. I’m one of those Mum’s who countdown to school holidays, love having my kids around all day and I am very hands on with their home learning. But, it’s not all about me and my kids are unhappy, and when my kids are unhappy, I am too.
The girls have not been to school properly for nearly a year now. We tried when they went back in September but it didn’t work out. They couldn’t cope with all the new rules and felt unsafe. The school compromised with a safe place for them to go for an hour and half each day. They didn’t learn much and I complimented their education at home with Ed Place. It wasn’t great though, they missed their friends and school interactions. The Summer holidays arrived and lock down relaxed, but they were still too anxious to go out. We did have a friend around on each of the kid’s birthdays. That’s all the interaction they have had in real life.
Computers
All three children now spend most of the day on their computers. Once, computer time would be limited but now they actually get their lessons onlines. They attend classes on Team meetings and then write and submit their work online. Once they are finished they play with their friends…again through their computer screens. I don’t want to deny them this interaction even though I feel they have had enough time glued to their screens.
I try to break it up with other activities like baking, family games and even helping with the housework. It’s so difficult to keep them off their computers though.
Home School
I love having my children home and I love teaching them. I can help with practically everything they are learning (yes, even algebra.) My weak subjects are geography and physics but I’m willing to learn with them. I’ve told them this but they don’t want my help. Even when they get stuck, asking Mum just isn’t a welcome option. The Little Man is better, he will let me help him. I found out last week that even though he was attending school all day online, he was not submitting his work. So we knuckled down and got that done.
As much as I love having my kids home, and I would rather have them here and safe, it’s started to get to me not having a moment to myself. Having teenage girls, they don’t go to bed until I do, and they are here all day. Even if they spend a few hours in their bedroom in the evening, I still have to make sure they are behaving, showering, eating, going to bed at the right time. I would like a break sometime. I do miss that peace and quiet I had after the manic rush to get them off to school. I do miss not having to worry about lunch, just grabbing something when I could. Now I have an hour to make sure everyone is fed and ready for the next lessons to begin.
And as much as the girl’s complained about school, I know they are missing it now, it’s been way too long. And it looks like Star won’t be going back at all.
It’s a different story for The Little Man. He went back in September. His school was brilliant and they did really well at keeping the virus at bay. He loves school, and they spent a lot of time outdoors (As his photo above shows.) He misses his friends and teachers and even though he loves his computer he has become so bored of it.
So, that’s my confession for this week. We are really missing school!