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School's Out!


Has anyone noticed the direct inverse relationship between whether school is in session and a kid’s mood?   What about how this correlation can be extended to the parents of kids in school?

Somehow, since I was a child, the homework and studying and gigantic, time-consuming, creative projects have fallen – in large measure - on the laps of the parents.

Why is my daughter’s poster and book report “our project?”  Why are parents making note cards and studying for hours with their kids?  Yes, we are there for love and support and help in understanding how to multiply and divide fractions, but I would argue that many of us have taken the task of “helping” our kids with their homework a little too far.

One clear indication of this phenomenon is the sheer relief I hear parents uttering at the end of the school year. “Whew, we did it, another year is over, it’s summer, time to relax!”

Why are we breathing a sigh of relief?  If it’s because we don’t have to prepare another brown bag turkey sandwich until September, then yes, I agree.  But if it’s because we’re so overwhelmed with our kids’ schoolwork from September through June, then something is really wrong.

How do we fix this?  What can we do to teach our kids that it’s their responsibility, their homework, not ours and to own up to it.  We went to school already, a long time ago.

And, I can assure you that no one in my family helped me with a book report poster for a 7th grade English class presentation of  “Flowers in the Attic.”

Comments

Peanut said…
Two thoughts here... All of the parents in your neighborhood help their kids so it will be almost impossible to stop doing so. The competition is fierce. And if you dont help, will they receive a lower grade? Interesting thought to ask a teacher about... Can he/she tell who has helped and does it make a difference?
Next, kids are conditioned to be helped with everything these days.... Once you give in, they expect it.
I wish the parents of my students would help from time to time. It would make a great amount of difference, but then again the intelligence levels can't be compared so I will just stop here!
June 23, 2012 at 4:33 AM
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