Let’s get one thing straight: many parents would love nothing more than for their children to occupy themselves in their rooms for hours on end, giving us a much-needed break. However, we can’t just lock them up (my partner, Sarah, would definitely not approve) or soundproof the space, even if we had the best intentions. It would be nice if kids had something to keep their minds occupied, so they wouldn’t be constantly underfoot.
So when I stumble upon articles like the one in The Washington Post, where parents of older kids lament the overwhelming amount of homework assigned these days, I can’t help but think—count me in! But surely, there’s a balance between anarchy and isolation. I know there is, because my generation navigated that middle ground.
Homework is a staple of the American education system. It’s supposed to foster responsibility and independence, especially since our already overworked teachers can’t supervise our kids 24/7. But I can’t recall having much homework in elementary school. Maybe a diorama or a couple of book reports and some basic math, but I certainly didn’t come home to four hours of Common Core memorization. I spent my afternoons watching cartoons, playing games, and enjoying snacks—just like my son does now. But with first grade on the horizon, I fear that this carefree time is about to end.
Once he begins first grade, legitimate homework will enter the picture. That means I’ll be doing my own homework too, as first-graders can only manage so much independently. I’m still helping him with the basics, so how can he tackle complex concepts? Last week, he celebrated his “100th Day” of school, a milestone I had never heard of before. Every parent I know was involved in putting together a project featuring 100 items, and it was evident that most of the work was done by the parents. After all, our kids are only five! My partner and I spent hours gathering materials for this assignment; the only thing our son has 100 of are boogers.
This is just the beginning. Today’s kindergarten resembles what first grade used to be, and the homework assigned in elementary school seems reminiscent of middle school workloads from the past. While it’s essential to instill good habits and values associated with homework, do young children really need to shoulder that responsibility? Their lives are already so structured! Once school starts, we barely see them before dinner due to all the scheduled activities and playdates. They need time to play, and we need that time too. Homework can quickly eat away at those precious moments of family fun.
It feels strange that our children are too young to roam outside alone yet somehow old enough to handle extensive homework. Are they kids, or are they miniature adults? My son will have plenty of work ahead of him in life; we don’t need to start that journey now. He definitely doesn’t need the added stress—he’s already anxious about sitting next to Lily, fearing she might propose marriage again! Our kids have so much on their minds already. Can’t we give them a little longer before we overwhelm them?
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Summary
In summary, while homework is a critical part of the education system that promotes responsibility, the amount assigned to young children may be excessive. Parents are feeling the pressure, and it can detract from quality family time. We must find a balance that allows kids to enjoy their childhood without being overwhelmed by schoolwork.