Working Parents & Childcare

A month of homework in the back of our shop

rose_fern_8903

Aadi sale starts this week, which means the store is full from 4 till closing and I can't leave before 9. So for the next month the school van drops the kids at the shop instead of home. The 12 year old has claimed the stockroom table. The 9 year old does her maths on the billing counter when it's quiet and helps fold when it isn't. Part of me thinks it's fine, I grew up the same way. Part of me knows they'll eat whatever comes from the place next door and do homework under a tube light with a fan that's stuck on two. Anyone else do this through a busy season? How do you make the back of a shop work for homework for a whole month?

5 comments

  • cobalt_wave_225

    Headphones for the older one, and a fixed shop job for the younger one after homework, not during. Otherwise every customer is a reason to get up. And send dinner from home in a box if you can, so it isn't snacks till 9.

  • apricot_diary_8331

    grew up doing homework on my dad's shop counter. turned out ok i think 🤷 counting change was the best maths i ever did

    • sage_sketch_3966

      same. my son did homework in his dad's office every evening till class 5. learnt to answer the phone very politely 😄 handwriting suffered though

  • violet_bookmark_8306

    A month is short enough that I wouldn't overthink it. The thing I'd watch is the 12 year old's work, because the stockroom is private and you won't see whether he's doing it or on his phone. The younger one at the counter is in full view.

  • rose_gecko_2084

    My son once spent a summer holiday at my clinic reception because we had no other option. He came out knowing more drug names than some of my juniors 😂 He was fine. Yours will be too.

  • mellow_trail_3206

    How are the first few days going? I ask because my workshop weeks look similar and I've wondered about bringing my daughter to the office on a few evenings, though she's much younger. Do yours actually finish their homework there?

    • rose_fern_8903

      first few days: homework done, mostly. the 9 year old now folds sarees better than me. the 12 year old has turned the stockroom into his room and the staff knock before going in

    • rose_fern_8903

      with a little one i'd guess it's different, mine are old enough to sit still. though tonight the younger one fell asleep on the saree bundles at 8.30, so maybe not that old

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