How are you helping your family from a distance

I've also got books and puzzles for ours. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds on the way. They are doing the TV exercise classes with someone called Joe at 9am and then some school work. Just sent for some air drying clay so they can make stuff.

Am leaving their teaching and entertainment up to their parents.
Am talking to them on the phone and sending messages though.

What about recording yourself reading a book? Also, I’ve seen families getting online to play charades with each other. I wouldn’t play charades if it was the last entertainment on earth but it’s fun if you like that kind of thing!

The tiny garden plants sets that M&S were giving away were used by DD as A 'science' lesson yesterday. I'd saved them up for the boys and luckily handed them in last week.
I've also ordered some books online to be sent to them for DD to read to them. Good for listening and concentration practice. Sigh. Wish I was there.

ours are being kept busy and taken for long walks over the hills ,its their mum thats my worry .Luckily my AC are in touch at least a couple of times a day ,even before this virus hit .I cant go and help with the practical stuff a smy OH is in a risk category so I just have to sit it out

Thank you for the suggestions. I agree charades is my worst nightmare!

Love the idea of air drying clay - not sure that my girls would thank me!

I ordered books online, have waited more than two weeks for them but now they are saying seven weeks for delivery. Not much use.

I believe the Scouts have lots of ideas on a website 'the great indoors''. Anyone can access it. Also YouTube 'hand animal drawing' is fun. I have sent this information to DGC in the States.

I'm supposed to be tutoring DGS (14) on Macbeth, if I can get hold of him on line or on the phone. I think he is dodging me! A lot of the suggestions for entertaining children are for a younger age group. Mine are all teenagers, mostly adept at contacting friends on line and playing games with them.

I've started giving the 7 and 8 year old dgc French lessons via Messanger.

Lots of WhatsApp video contact with 20 month old, which is great for maintaining contact with her, but can't really do anything practical to help with her right now, unfortunately. I wish I could, because both her parents are supposedly working from home (one is in high risk catagory), but as you can imagine, that's rather difficult with an active, demanding toddler present!

We are doing a family drawing challenge - every day someone chooses a subject and we all try to draw it (all ages! ) and then compare. Very funny! We also share jokes (see previous thread)

Am posting nothing to ease burden on front line post staff and am ringing people instead. I am also asking that nothing gets posted to us. Not because I think WE are at risk from post, but because I would hate knowinv that post workers had to leave THEIR famililes and put themselves at risk by mixing in warehouses and distribution centres etc just so that nob essentials can be dropped at my door. No thank you! This crisis is not just about "me and mine". Post workers have loved ones and vulnerable household members too. I would definitely NOT appreciate social post right now!

I am being careful NOT to share too much about what the girls are doing academically, no tips or suggestions however "helpful": some parents are feeling utterly overwhelmed by all the "helpful suggestions" for home schooling ON TOP of the school portals. I do not want to add to that bombardment for anyone. School os setting and correcting work. Thats more than enough right now.

I AM being more socially in touch and saying "hi" frequently by phone/message/email. Thats the most important thing right now

I've just spotted the horrendous spelling mistake in my earlier post. I don't know how I missed it earlier, because it sticks out like a sore thumb now!

MamaCaz I had to look, nothing too bad there! Fast fingers?

I have bought myself an ipad (I have been taking about doing it for ages) but sent it up to DGD for the duration. Her school ipad was away being repaired when the school closed and between two children doing school work and 2 adults working at home they are one device short.

I have also set up interactive fun projects with both DGC. DGD is a sewer and already has her own sewing machine, so we are both raiding our stashes to make masks to be worn when shopping. The idea is that they should be original and eye catching.

The project with DGS is a bit complex to explain but it is based on the fact that we are both list makers and he likes designing galaxies and islands.

Youngsters with a supportive home environment are so fortunate. When they go back to school they will have a huge advantage over those whose parents have had to work, or shown no interest, or not had the technical resources for the online work, or are cooped up in a small flat with boisterous siblings.........
My grandchildren are so fortunate. They have a spacious house and garden, can go for walks in nearby fields, have excellent support from parents. There’s nothing I can add.
They are both keen to do their lessons and happy to stick to the routine their mum has arranged.

Nothing much so far but we joined in a family quiz which was great fun and will be repeated next week. Our DS had organised it. He has organised pub quizzes so it was serious!!

DH and I came last but DGS won and he was happy.
The homeschooling seems to be going very well so far.

The schools themselves have given plenty of work to do and our DGD were seen dancing to Joe Wicks.

Ours will cope. They are lucky and have gardens and space to run around. I fear for the poor children in refugee camps or worse.

One of my nephews is a primary school teacher but he has been given leave because he has young DC. He will be called in for the second wave.