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... 