Homework

You know, the thing about graduation day that most kids look forward to is no more homework. There is no more opening of books because you have to. From there on in, it is by choice that you open a book, study, read and learn more. If you want to play math games, you do so because this is something that you feel like doing and knowing more about. Same with science. On graduation day, your legal obligation and moral obligations to the system, government and your family are done. If you want more education, you pay for it and therefore, I would say that you are choosing to do it.

No one gave me any inkling that by having children of my own that I would once again have to be involved in the homework process. The readings and advisory postings tell you all sorts of things about feeding, parenting, nuturing and caring for infants, toddlers and youth. They tell you to be prepared to be up all night, teething and beware of crawling, walking and baby proofing.  You have to be on tap when they are sick, cuddle them when they are sad and in general bring them up as best you can with the tools and resources at your disposal.

However, after six years, they hit that thing we like to call school full tilt. There is learning work that consists of reading, writing, math, spelling, science, music and movement. The list goes on. The teachers are there and provide all sorts of opportunities for their students. What I really struggle with is that they send the work home. They call it homework and fully expect the students to do it.

I wonder how many parents do the work for the students in the middle of the night last minute because they did not have the time or energy to do it earlier. So far, the children have been doing the same sheet of homework for 2.5 hours. This was supposed to be a playdate and be fun. Instead, the paper and pencils loom heavy on them and me. For there is the inevitable complaining, confusion and not fairness of the situation. It is not fair that they have to do their homework first. It is not fair that they cannot eat lunch and do homework at the same time. It is not fair that the youngest one is not doing homework. All I can say is that her time will come. It would be so much easier to just tell them the answers.

So, it would appear that despite having graduated from Grade school, I have to do it all over again. The headaches and frustrations so far appear to be similar. And I would have 12 more years to go. Honestly, children should come with the fine print ahead of time. I love them very much but their homework: not so much.

Be advised. You have 12 years of homework for each child. You will be back in school, in the principals office, and have to have teacher meetings. You are required to pay attention and be able to complete projects to deadlines. You are not required to do the special events, but the peer pressure is there. All I can say, it is a good thing that I was an adequate student as once again I am learning about addition, subtraction and number sentences.