Is there any information on the dept of education website

I’m a cfo of a company and I have talked to our P&C Exec how best to support our working parents noting a lot of this work falls onto the mothers. The options they suggested was allowing work to happen before or after set 9-5 and allowing people to take leave or purchase leave. I also think scaling back hours is appropriate in some areas or job share. I know I worked part time when my children were young and loved it - yes my career suffered but now my kids are teens I’m working full time again and I’m back up there - the career ball does bounce but the family one you only get one chance at it. I really don’t know apart from flexibility from employers why people dads too don’t work less hours especially now.

I had to send my 3yo back to day care, I tried so hard to work from home and look after him at the same time but the lack of supervision was potentially dangerous and it was just impossible. My older children are more independent and coping ok but school work is difficult to manage.

Hello, I am in exactly the same boat , I have a 6 year old and 4 year old and working from home. To say it has been challenging is an understatement. Personally I think it is important to acknowledge your stress, the pressure, the guilt, and all your overwhelming feelings. This is a unique unprecedented situation that we have all been thrust into and we are all doing our best. I have found once I have processed and allowed myself to feel it all and let it all out (I have cried lots and hid in my wardrobe and screamed my frustrations into my dressing gown), and then did all the other things regularly to help counteract the built up stress (sitting outside doing nothing but watch the clouds- but of course whatever it is that helps you connect back to yourself again) I cope better and am able to be the best version of me for my kids and my job. Please know you are not alone, you cannot possibly be it all at the same time and you must look after yourself too. Sending you much positivity and strength and healing at this crazy time! X

Just let it go, go for an hour like mentioned above, and leave it at that. Your home life and happiness is more important. Your child will catch up, if he falls behind, millions of kids are in the same boat, when schools go back there will be mass catch up classes etc. He is better off playing outside, and using this time to relax and connect with his family.

It's hard but it's what has to be done for now. The kids won't be getting any special attention at school either so just be happy that every bit you can manage is better than nothing. For example 1 teacher aide floating and supervising if the teacher is off planning. If anything, kids at school will be getting equal or less direct 1-1 support and to be honest, classrooms don't run 1-1 anyway. This is a good way for parents to imagine how their child functions in a whole class where new concepts are introduced, instructions are given in amongst a group of 24 others without direct 1-1 all the time. This will be a hard slog but a good way for kids to develop a bit more grit, independence and persistence without always needing the adult to spoon feed everything.

Something has to give I’m afraid. One hour of tv for the little one while you give attention to the big one. that’s all you can hope to achieve in one day realistically. Go easy on yourself. The school can’t fire you or your child.