My two sons don’t really like doing their homework.
All those sentences to write and sums to complete don’t really appeal when there are balls to kick and trampolines to jump on and a garden full of sticks to turn into swords.
They moan and groan and procrastinate to only finally sit down to it when threatened with the ultimate of punishments; no iPad on the weekend.
It’s a nightly ritual that isn’t particularly pleasing for any of us, but we persevere.
What’s making it tricky though is the new realisation that some kids don’t have to go through the torment that they do.
Some kids are out there kicking that ball and bouncing on their own trampoline because some kid’s much nicer and much kinder parents have decided to opt their children out of homework.
So why can’t we mum? Henry’s mum doesn’t make him do it.
It’s tempting isn’t it? No more nagging and threatening, no more pleading and cajoling. Just say no to homework.
Life in Henry’s house must be calmer and quieter than in mine. Life in Henry’s house sounds appealing.
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It’s a route more and more time poor families are taking and one more and more schools are facilitating. If you don’t want your child to do homework, if you don’t agree with it – then don’t.
Top Comments
Wow, so much judgement in this article. Does Shauna know Henry's family well and what might be happening for them? A major illness in my family meant forcing homework as well as trying to keep everything else going was just a bridge too far. There is also a lot of parent shaming that goes on. We are supposed to give our kids good, healthy meals, so that means a lot more time in the kitchen. We are told our kids don't get enough excerise, outdoor time and freedom to just play and be kids, yet now are they supposed to be indoors doing homework instead of playing on their bikes and getting a great workout on the trampoline? For many families the reality is that both parents must work full-time to pay for housing. Women are also strongly encouraged, especially by Mama-Mia, to be independent and forge successful careers. We are told our kids don't get to bed early enough so we rush home from our jobs at 6 or 7 pm. Rush to cook healthy, wholesome dinners, get the kids showered, homework done and in bed by 8.30, read them a story as well as preparing healthy lunch boxes for the next day. On top of this we need to spend time nurturing our marriages, possibly studying for our own career advancement. Where is the time to just relax? Where is the time to be parents? Weekends are spent with kids sport, which parents are encouraged to get their kids into, and doing housework, heaps of pressure there to have a clean house. So how about easing up on the judgement and shaming. Is home work more important than keeping our marriages going, sanity and avoiding a breakdown?
I think age appropriate homework in primary school is important because it teaches good study habits and time management. Despite what a lot of parents want to believe, these skills don't magically 'click' in the HSC year. You need to build up these skills with experience over time. I think the earlier that kids realise study is a responsibility and not something that they should hate, the better off they will be in the long run.