I am revisiting an older post of mine today purely because yesterday was murder with Lil Princess’s homework! It wasn’t an elaborate project or anything like that, but trying to work on a page full of long multiplication, when a child doesn’t get it… It is tough!
I am not the world’s best mathematician. It was never my strong point, but I am keeping a growth mindset on this one… I will not allow my negative thoughts towards times tables reflect upon my kids!
We worked on it, but blood, sweat and tears were shed whilst completing it!
Enjoy my musings from a few years back!
It’s the stuff of nightmares!!!!!
“Yes, the poor children…so much homework, from such a young age…” I hear you chime in alongside me, but do you know what?
I ain’t talking ’bout the kids, its the parents I’m sympathizing with… Actually, not sympathizing with, because I’m one too… We all stand together and scream, “Aaaaaaaarrrrgghhh!” This particular nightmare was meant to have left my life after I finished studying! I didn’t know having kids meant I have to do homework again!!!
Now, I don’t mean your bog standard nightly reading, times tables practice or even spelling, I can cope with that, it’s just…
Every Friday, or every other Friday in Lil Princess’s case, I tentatively open school bags, fearing what piece of paper will float out of there, or what delight is stuck in the ‘Home Learning’ book!
What outlandish piece of research are the children to do this time, then make into a ‘creative, interesting, visual piece of writing/model/leaflet/book…you get my drift!
You know there are parents who don’t bother, theirs are the kids who have to go to homework club shamefully the next week, as they ‘didn’t do it!’
But the thing is, sometimes, this creative homework, though fantastic, and yes it really does help the kids reinforce learning whatever their topic at school, it’s just toooooo much!
I think that this kind of homework is ok once in a while, while kids are still at primary or junior school, up until 11, but every week… It’s almost impossible! What with various after school commitments with the kids, we only really have the weekend ‘free’ to do said homework… And, excuse me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t weekends be for family time??
Kids are tired after a week of learning, and working as an Educator, I know how much these little tykes are expected to do during their academic day. It’s no wonder they can be cranky little sh*ts after school, especially when younger!
Now some children LOVE homework, I kid you not! Lil Princess begged for some once she saw her brother getting it, and now she does too, she attacks it with relish! But Lil Man, would hide his if he could, he HATES it!
So why am I bothering with this post? Because most if this homework cannot be done by the child alone, they need supervision, and guidance from the parents to do it, and especially with the little projects, it can become a HUGE deal!
If it’s going to be done, you want it done correctly, so it ends up becoming the parents homework, just as much as the child’s!
Hands up who’s guilty of becoming demon mum/dad trying to get your child’s homework just right.. I know I can be like that, but I do make sure the kids are doing it, not me… It’s just I have to oversee EVERYTHING!!!!!
It would be a personal slight if he/she handed in anything sub standard… And as we line up on Monday morning, and you see other parents, the smug faces of those who have done their child’s homework too, I mean who’s CHILDREN have done their homework, is apparent!
Large flashy models, or very elaborate posters, whatever was asked for, are brandished by the children…
Just can’t wait for next week. What mark did I get…? Sorry, I mean what mark did my child get…?!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jan 08, 2018 @ 15:04:25
I am not the only one then lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 08, 2018 @ 16:00:34
Sooo frustrating!
LikeLike
Nov 17, 2017 @ 22:19:12
LOL. Reading this. It took Munch 35 minutes to draw a timeline and add 3 dates/events because he didn’t seem to be paying attention. I was acting all crazy about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 17, 2017 @ 22:22:37
I convinced Lil Princess to do all her weekend stuff today…. it’s our anniversary tomorrow. I didn’t want the hassle tomorrow…. somehow it was stress free today!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nov 15, 2017 @ 05:34:39
Ritu, I believe I remember that you left a comment on my blog a few months ago. We do have the same lack of appreciation for homework. Aaaargh! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 15, 2017 @ 06:44:27
It needs to be binned lol! And not only from a parent’s perspective! Teachers end up having extra marking too, on top of the stuff we HAVE to do in class!!!
LikeLike
Nov 13, 2017 @ 16:09:10
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 13:21:30
Homework is the big argument in education.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 17:32:10
It can have benefits… but not all
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 19:05:26
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:34:57
I feel your pain. my youngest had problems with math until a teacher turned me on to some math software that she recommended. it helped to keep each other’s sanity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:56:26
I need me some sanity!!!
LikeLike
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:32:26
I feel you, Ritu. It’s why I stopped hovering over my kid’s homework when she entered grade 5. Everything has to be done by her. I keep telling her it’s the A for effort that matters. Everything else will fall into place. You’re right. We finished homework for a reason way back. Let’s not do this to ourselves again. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:56:11
Tell me about it!!!
LikeLike
Nov 13, 2017 @ 09:27:14
I’m no parent, but i do know how hard it is to make a kid sit and do her homework. I thought it was gonna be easy when my cousin asked me to help her child do her homework. “She’s just a little girl..how hard can it be”, i thought. but she had like million other things to do than school work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:54:12
Oh man it’s never easy!!!
LikeLike
Nov 13, 2017 @ 09:02:40
I am not keen on helping with homework either, especially as I already have my own! My daughter only usually asks when she is really stuck, and that often means that I can’t do it either, (it is nearly always maths)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:53:58
Can’t do maths!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 07:49:19
This post brings back far too many horrific memories – of me doing my own homework and then failing at helping my three kids with their homework!! aaaahhh!! Fortunately, my daughter (youngest) is in year 11 so I only have to cope with school life for a few more months. However, we have to get her through the ‘big’ exams first – wish us luck 😉 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:53:35
Good luck with That!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 06:58:58
I remember my son coming home from school all enthusiastic and keen to get into a project the teacher had set. He had to do the flag of a certain country and he chose Mongolia. I didn’t know they had a flag so a visit to the local library set us on the right path. I’m not sure what he learned out of it but I haven’t forgotten it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 07:07:08
Lol! This is just it Michael… how much does it help the kids, I get writing practice and grammar or spelling with basic maths functions to practice… but some of these projects… sheesh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 10:23:22
I used to have the same thoughts, were they for the kids or just to irritate the parents??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 12:55:51
A bit of both me thinks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 05:21:38
Ha… totally get it.I just have one…how do you manage with two homeworks????😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nov 13, 2017 @ 06:57:08
Thankfully my son is pretty good at doing his own, now he is in Secondary school. My daughter just needs a push!
LikeLike
Jan 07, 2015 @ 19:41:53
I don’t mind homework as long as it doesn’t involve “Core Math.” Not sure if you have that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 07, 2015 @ 19:57:29
I personally hate ANY math!!!
LikeLike
Jan 07, 2015 @ 19:59:37
I feel ya. But math is so much worse when every question, even 2+2=?, is followed by: Write a short paragraph explaining your answer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 07, 2015 @ 20:03:40
Lol! That is what so many tests have nowadays!!! I work in school and sometimes look at the work, boggled!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 06, 2015 @ 17:07:30
I hated homework!! Luckily i only started getting it once I went to senior school. I dont think it did me any harm honestly, starting a bit later. Seems schools have gone a little homework crazy these last few years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 06, 2015 @ 17:31:19
It is the government guidelines… Because THEY KNOW, apparently, along with teaching 5 year olds… Who might not even read or write properly yet, to do computer programming!!! 😐
LikeLike
Jan 06, 2015 @ 22:54:40
It is crazy. Especially the part about the people in charge being clueless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 06, 2015 @ 22:58:10
And you know, most of them have never worked in efucation, yet feel the need to advise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 06, 2015 @ 11:22:51
I have a nightmare with Olivia especially, she hates homework and it takes forever to convince her to do it. It’s strange really as she is so good at school and does all her work without complaint!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 06, 2015 @ 12:04:13
I’m not the only one then! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 06, 2015 @ 10:08:27
Oh Lord I remember those days of pen, pencil and paper and the continuous chasing the kids back to the table to get their home work done.
Now they sit down on the sofa with their kids and their iPads and help them with their home work on their iPads or tablets.
Oh Lord the world has changed.
Who would’ve ever thought. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 06, 2015 @ 10:40:17
😀
LikeLike