Category: Terrible tips

Terrible tips

It’s the Easter Holidays…but don’t let the kids know or they’ll do even less work than normal

Apparently it’s now the Easter Holidays. Nobody in our house knows this, because I haven’t told them. I figured Eric doesn’t need to an excuse to shirk schoolwork; he’s been shirking it ever since Lockdown started, so I’m carrying on as normal. Not that the word ‘normal’ means all that much anymore, but still. The novelty of homeschooling, which let’s be honest was already starting … Continue reading It’s the Easter Holidays…but don’t let the kids know or they’ll do even less work than normal

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Terrible tips

Week Two of homeschooling and we’re all still friends…most of the time

Can you believe a week has already passed since Operation Lockdown kicked off? Is it just me or does this homeschooling malarkey feel like it’s been dragging on for years? Being caged up in the house with two ‘lively’ (delinquent) kids and my partner has taught me many things – not least how to swear out of the windows so my children won’t hear me … Continue reading Week Two of homeschooling and we’re all still friends…most of the time

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Terrible tips

Day Four: How Skittles and virtual peer pressure made homeschooling a whole lot easier

Today’s my birthday. Eric and Bear were planning to wake me up with breakfast in bed and a homemade card. They must have got distracted because I didn’t wake up to either. They did ask me if I would make their breakfast, which I guess is near enough. Fortunately, my partner is more thoughtful and brought me a coffee in bed. This was probably to … Continue reading Day Four: How Skittles and virtual peer pressure made homeschooling a whole lot easier

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Terrible tips

YouTube, mud and Billy Ray Cyrus: Day Three of homeschooling is a hit

Today’s ‘learning’ was heavily dependent on technology – namely YouTube. I didn’t feel too bad, because I did throw in a couple of activities that involved human interaction. Also, I’ve booked tomorrow off work and will therefore have a full day to dedicate to one-on-one learning. Or maybe I’ll just drink wine in the garden, who knows. If you’re finding it exhausting to find ways … Continue reading YouTube, mud and Billy Ray Cyrus: Day Three of homeschooling is a hit

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Terrible tips

Lessons in the graveyard, calls to the cops and other learnings from Day Two of homeschooling

As predicted, Day Two of homeschooling was much more sedate. This was largely due to me being exhausted from Day One. It’s hard work keeping small people fed, watered and amused AND doing ‘grown-up’ work at the same time, as I’m sure parents everywhere are now discovering (once again teachers, I salute you). But education is important, which is why I pulled out all the … Continue reading Lessons in the graveyard, calls to the cops and other learnings from Day Two of homeschooling

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Terrible tips

Nerf maths, literacy lunches and other things that got us through Day One of homeschooling

Coronavirus. It’s making adults anxious and sending the nation nuts in the supermarket aisles. Death tolls are rising and the country is on lockdown. Just think how all this stress is playing out in the mind of a child. I’m conscious that I need to provide my six-year old, Eric, with heaps of reassurance, love and attention as we all struggle to get to grips … Continue reading Nerf maths, literacy lunches and other things that got us through Day One of homeschooling

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Terrible tips

Nerf maths, literacy lunches and other things that got us through Day One of homeschooling

Coronavirus. It’s making adults anxious and sending the nation nuts in the supermarket aisles. Death tolls are rising and the country is on lockdown. Just think how all this stress is playing out in the mind of a child. I’m conscious that I need to provide my six-year old, Eric, with heaps of reassurance, love and attention as we all struggle to get to grips … Continue reading Nerf maths, literacy lunches and other things that got us through Day One of homeschooling

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Terrible tips

Why children who don’t sleep through the night might have saved humanity (sort of)

In terms of sleeping, I reckon my children were born a few millennia too late. Picture the scene: It’s 50,000BC and you and your family are asleep in a cave. It’s the middle of the night and your campfire has almost burnt out. There’s a sabre-toothed tiger prowling around outside and it’s mighty hungry (I’ve no idea if sabre-toothed tigers were still around 50,000 years … Continue reading Why children who don’t sleep through the night might have saved humanity (sort of)

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Terrible tips

How I got my picker eater to eat: the simple trick that worked for us

My five-year-old, Eric, used to be a brilliant eater. As soon as he hit six months old we served him up all sorts of pretentious food – chilli, falafels, salmon stir fry, lentil curry, beef tagine, chicken with apricots (no prizes for guessing whose weaning cookbooks I wasted all my maternity pay on…). And he pretty much downed the lot. He consumed so much houmous … Continue reading How I got my picker eater to eat: the simple trick that worked for us

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Terrible tips

The best worst presents to buy a preschooler

Your child has been invited to a birthday party, and you want to buy a gift to impress. So far so good. Now ask yourself: ‘Do I want to impress the child or the parent?’ Because in my opinion, you can’t have it both ways. Scientists have discovered* there’s a direct correlation between how much a child loves a present and how much their parents hate … Continue reading The best worst presents to buy a preschooler

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