We’re losing homeschooling momentum and going off the walls. Any tips?

I’m on day 43 of lockdown and I’ve wanted to flick my partner really hard on the forehead and put the kids out with the bins before 9am. So I’m not, perhaps, the entertainment oracle you were hoping for. Saying that, I do have a few things in my Nanny Mcphee arsenal. Teded.com is great; it’s miniature educational TED Talks for different ages. It mainly alleviates the guilt of screen time because, well, they’re watching a TED Talk.

Then there’s Reading Eggs for homeschooling. It’s like playing Super Mario but with more animals and less parental guilt because they learn to read and add up along the way.

For toddlers, I’ve united all the old parental things we don’t use any more: keys, phones, bank cards and, rather randomly, an old blusher brush. This collection of ‘non-toy toys’ seems to keep them entertained longer than the traditional Fisher Price stuff. It’s all about empowering them to be miniature adults, really. And being easy on yourself. These are unprecedented times and if a bit more screen time stops you wanting to hiss at the dishwasher/ anyone in your vicinty, then that’s a price worth paying right now. @mother_pukka