Too Much Homework And How It Affects My Family

I read the news online before I even start my day. My alarm goes off at 6:00 am and I lay in bed reading the days news. And today was no different. However, today I wanted to share with you this article that was published about kids and homework.

I’ve had many moments where I question a few assignments and particularly Science projects and think how my son will benefit from knowing “How Long A Chocolate Bar Takes To Melt” in the real world. Our families mission is sit down for dinner and pray – daily. We’ve been able to accomplish that. However that’s not the issue at hand. Are we timing our day, looking at the clock as the minutes tick away from us, planning our next step, and thinking just how much homework the teachers gave this time – absolutely. In remembering my oldest daughters years in private school, she was being assigned such a workload that she began having bald spots in her hair. The pediatrician saying, it was due to stress – she was eight! Today things aren’t looking any brighter, you can find her still doing homework in the hours of 10:00 pm or up to 11:00 pm.

Your kids right. Homework is pointless. Here’s what you should be doing instead.

I also read this morning this article published in 2016 – a Texas second grade teacher implementing a ‘no homework policy’ in her classroom. This article states how, ‘studies have found that students in the early elementary school years are getting more homework than recommended by education leaders.’ Here’s a copy of the letter the parents received that year from the second grade teacher.

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As many of you know – and if you’re new here, hello and welcome, I have quite a tiny army. And if there’s anything more daunting than bath time, it has to be homework time. It’s a process, it’s a routine that must be managed with much care and patience. And if I’m even more honest with you, my schedule is done around homework, pediatrician appointments – yes, those too, around homework time! I try to make it so that the children aren’t overly exhausted by the time we all need to sit down and begin homework assignments, projects, etc. As to avoid any whining, meltdowns, borderline falling asleep on the table with pencil on hand moments and tears – from me, not them. I often think and joke that when the children graduate – I also graduate! Because parents work just as hard on the homework as the children themselves.

Here are a few key points from this mornings article that I found interesting.  

+ The ‘pointless’ homework issue isn’t new. The volume of homework given to children is increasing making it the ‘new’ issue.

+ One survey of 2,000 parents found that more than half of parents feel they are too busy to enjoy the fun of parenting.

+ If you are stressed and cranky and you have to get home and force them to do homework, it removes the sense that home is a supportive, loving place where you can connect.

+ “10 Minute Rule” 10 minutes of homework per grade. 10 minutes for first grade, 20 minutes for second grade, 12 grade up to 120 minutes. And Kindergartners aren’t recommended to get homework, today they are getting about 25 minutes a day of homework.

+ Fight for no-homework policies at your child’s school, push back against unrealistic homework assignments, particularly those that will cause unnecessary stress.

+ Gaining 30 minutes or in other cases even 2 plus hours makes a difference in the families well being and gives us the opportunity to remember why we had our children.

+ It’s absurd to insist that children must be engaged in constructive activities right up until their heads hit the pillow. Especially after spending six hours a day in school.

+ Children and parents need downtime. It’s not to say, downtime needs to be mindless, parents can cook, read and watch tv with their children and then discuss what they just read.

+ It’s best to grow skills – such as reading, that they find interesting, then to force them to work through worksheets, forcing them may backfire.

+ Best replacement for homework: a parent / caregivers attention. At school they operate as a herd and teachers can’t give them all the attention they deserve. At home they should be seen as the unique, individual, interesting and brilliant people they are.

The article has been thought provoking. Let me know your thoughts on the matter. As to my final thoughts, we need more ‘Mrs. Brandy Youngs.’

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Searching For A Sign

I often get so many thoughts running through my mind and maybe you can relate. These thoughts of wanting to do something else, something more, maybe learn a new language or perhaps learn a new recipe. As for me I think with the blog and the online store I have, is enough considering there are still little ones to look after. But really, there’s always that one thing, that thing that we think we should be doing, should have done or goal yet to be reached. And all you’ve been doing is waiting, waiting for something, perhaps God to come and give you a sign. Perhaps because you’re not sure, you have self doubt, you’re afraid, afraid of failure or afraid of success, but you’re afraid. So, let’s say, you do it, whatever you’ve been thinking of doing, a job change, going back to school, yes, lets just say you do it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to finally do what you’ve been thinking about doing for so long?!

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This often reminds me of those who have been stuck in a rut for so long. We become content with what we have because it’s become our safe place and it’s what we’ve known for so long. In my opinion, the number one culprit in relationships, is the argument of never having enough money, you complain there isn’t enough, but I often question, what are we doing to change that, what are we doing to get to the finances that we need to finally ‘make ends meet.’ In all honesty, probably nothing. So, if you’re a mother, a father or simply someone that’s looking to take that leap – take it! It’ll take you farther than you know.

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The First Day Of School – Poem From A Teacher To A Parent

Have your little ones – or not so little ones, begun school? My little ones went back to school this week and it’s been quite the ride for my four year old. The first day, she was ecstatic, there were no words to express her excitement to finally be able to attend school with her older siblings. However, she arrived home not understanding why there were children crying in her classroom. As much as we’ve tried to calm her heart, she isn’t liking what she’s seeing. It can truly be an adjustment for some children, especially for first time students – like my daughter. As teachers have in the past told me, preschoolers will often take about a week to adjust, that’s what I’m hoping for her.

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I can understand why people would assume that since there is a tiny tribe behind me, that I am somewhat numb to many ‘firsts’ my little ones experience. But that is far from the truth. I’m experiencing firsts with each and every one of them. As much as they are siblings, as much as they may have the same features, maybe even mannerisms, they are so different. They are individuals, they even cry different – as only their own parent would know, they talk different, they even handle situations differently, some are shy and some even far more sensitive than the other. My oldest although entering the sixth grade – the dreaded middle school, she is also experiencing many ‘firsts’ and as a parent, I am experiencing it all with her.

First Day 2018-2019 School Year

I wanted to share with you today a poem given to me by my four year old’s preschool teacher. It served as a reminder that teachers understand the adjustment isn’t only experienced by the child, but also the parent. So, whether you have one, two or a tiny tribe like mine, every experience with our children is our first. And I have a feeling, that will never change.

‘The First Day Of School’ – From A Teacher To A Parent

I gave you a little wink and smiled

As you entered my room today

For I know how hard it is to leave

And know your child must stay. 

You’ve been with her for four years now

And have been a loving guide,

But now, alas, the time has come

To leave her at my side.

Just know that as you drive away

And tears down your cheeks may flow

I’ll love her as I would my own

And help her learn and grow.

From as a parent, I too know

How quickly the years do pass

And that own say soon it will be my turn

To take my child to class.

So please put your mind at ease

And cry those tears no more

For I will love her and take her in 

When you leave her at my door.

Love,

From A Teacher To A Parent

Have a wonderful day. I pray that your children have a phenomenal school year.

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