ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

I just need to vent because i don't know how much more of this i can take!!! I really hate that my kids aren't having the routine, interaction, stimulation, etc, etc, of being at school!!!! its killing me!!!! and its not so much having them home- i'm a SAHM mom with no family in the area- i'm used to having them around a ton. even when thy go to school, they're home from 3:30- 8:30, so i'm still with them 5 hours a day (its not like they've in after care until 6 or whatever...)
but ANYWAY- this being at home thing is draining all of us!!! they have about 2-3 hours of school work to do a day, so they're done by noon and then theres still 8 hours left in the day. they are so over playing with each other so god forbid they do a game together, or even build legos together without one of them getting choked.... they're tired of listening to me all day doing their school work with them, and then doing a game or whatever with them... we're just all so over each other. we go for walks, but how many times really can you walk around your neighborhood before that gets old? they're spoiled and have a basement full of toys, a trampoline, a big yard, bikes, roller blades, scooters, etc... but again, with all this time at home they've been through it all a billion times. And now we're starting to get cancellation/ closures notices for the town summer rec program, our town pool, other summer camps.... honestly i have no idea what to do with them until september (or longer!!!!) if they virus doesn't get them, then they'll go brain dead from so much iPad time because its the only thing thats keeping all of us somewhat sane right now..... its getting ridiculous!!! Anyway... thanks for listening, just needed to vent!!!

Message edited 5/11/2020 12:06:25 PM.

ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

Honestly, I'm just letting her stay on her electronics. It is what it is.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

They've been sleeping in more, then they usually watch some TV while they wake up. By the time they eat and get dressed, they're starting schoolwork close to 11 some days. As soon as they finish their work they scatter out of my sight before I give them something else to do. Sometimes they're playing outside, on electronics, or playing inside. Late afternoons they're video chatting friends, playing, taking long bubble baths, whatever. As long as they're getting their work done I'm not really being picky about what they do with their free time.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

I agree.

It's overwhelming also because we know this isn't going back to normal any time soon and summer is looming and we might not even be able to go to the places we normally do to fill time.

When we are all home together we like to travel, eat at restaurants, in the summer spend time at pools and beaches, go shopping, see family or friends, etc. All of that is gone now.

We've already exhausted the crafts, the board games, the toys, the bike riding.... homework is only from like 10am-1pm and that's with lunch and lots of complaining and other stuff in between. So probably only 2 hours of work. I try to add in extra work for her but still.

I finally found a friend for my daughter to have some virtual playdates with. But I have to say, I was one of those moms who was like no television, no sweets, etc. Now I'm doing lots of baking projects and stuff our faces projects and she is watching a ton more TV.... a FEW hours a day now from ZERO before.... on top of all the computer time for school which is like 3 hours... it's insane.

I'm sad because she has no interest in ballet since classes stopped and she used to be BALLET obsessed.... and no interest in much of anything. Hard to get her to play by herself anymore. I feel like if they ever do transition back to school it's going to be a $h!tsh0w for sure.

ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

Thankfully my son is older (10) so he mostly entertains himself. He's somewhat self motivated to do his school work and in between school and asking me for snacks, he's on his device. I'm quarantine buddies with my boyfriend and he has 4 kids - so we go over there a bunch so the kids can play together. I still get interrupted a lot but it's better than just me and him for a full week.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

My 6 year old mostly entertains himself with drawing or art projects (he has really never been one for toys), but my toddler is driving me bonkers. I cannot turn my back for a second or she is climbing a chair to get to a marker or destroying something of her brother's. We try to do playdoh, play outside, read books, go for bike rides, build a fort,ect. However, I am over it. I am not even going to lie- I HATE playing. I really miss playdates where kids can entertain each other.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

I don't know how old your kids are but mine are 12 & 13.
They have set chores during the week that they need to get done.
They have a set time to wake up in the morning.
They have yard work on nice days.
They bike ride and see neighborhood friends that way. The kids have devised a game of hide and go seek with the bikes that let them do that and social distance. So, given the opportunity and if they are responsible - they can make things work.
We live by the beach so they go down there and will paint the rocks, skip rocks, climb and stuff.
We also take drives. We drove in to NYC one day just to take a drive. Brought our own food and sat down on the lawn by Grants tomb to eat. They were amazed by the empty city.
We drive to different spots on LI too

Edited to add...I also have my children continuing their music lessons and scout meetings virtually. As well as the library is doing some programs online that they like.

Message edited 5/12/2020 1:25:03 PM.

ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

My kids are 8 (twin boys) and we have been social distancing, but I do take them out. Today, I took them to the beach. They went in the water and played in the sand. Other things we have done...fly a kite, walk on boardwalk, hikes in woods, feed the ducks. I cant stay home.
One of them learned to ride a 2 wheeler, we started a small garden and of course playing video games...UGH!

Message edited 5/15/2020 7:06:16 PM.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

My kids are in 5th and 7th. They have zoom calls with their teachers about 3 to 5 times a week. They each have school work that lasts until 1 pm with a break for lunch. Scouts and dance have virtual zooms. We have a family zoom with grandparents on each side once a week on different nights. We have Friday night family game night. We have a friend family game night on Sundays. We have rando zooms (tonight is a comedy night) and an art class zoom.

We have them play video games and zoom with friends daily. They still have chores. We try to go for walks too.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

Message edited 5/17/2020 12:33:37 PM.

ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

My son spends entirely too much time watching TV and playing games on the phone/Xbox. It is what it is. My DH and I both have work to do. I try to get my work done between 7-12 and on weekends. After lunch, I help him do his school work and play with him outside.

Message edited 5/18/2020 7:56:53 PM.

Re: ok... seriously... what so you do with your kids???

I have 3 kids: ages 12, 8 and 5. My 5 year old does school work from 8:30-10:30/11. My 8 year old does work from 8:30-12:30 and sometimes the same for my 12 year old.

(i'm not big on electronics)
Then they go play. Either in our basement, upstairs in their rooms playing legos or in the backyard. I am working from home so they need to disburse.

I have a rule that if they do well with school work and behave after, then they get free time from 3:15-4. I'm done with work at 4pm. Then we go outside some more.