Parenting
A Mother Declares Her Home A Homework-Free Zone
by Jamie Morgan
Updated: July 30, 2018
Originally Published: April 26, 2017
In today’s educational landscape, many parents feel that homework demands are becoming excessive, even for young children. As school days stretch longer and recess time shrinks, the pressure on kids to perform can lead to overwhelming stress. One mother has taken a stand against this trend, declaring her home a homework-free sanctuary.
Jamie Morgan, the voice behind The Honest Toddler, recently shared a compelling post that has resonated with parents everywhere. She boldly announced, “My child is done with homework. I just informed her school that she is finished.” Although she initially suggested a “drastic reduction” in homework, she admits that her daughter is entirely done with it.
Morgan explains that her 10-year-old enjoys learning and reads several chapter books each year while also engaging in extracurricular activities like coding and painting. However, she has noticed an alarming increase in her daughter’s stress levels over the past four years, which have manifested in symptoms such as anxiety, chest pains, and an aversion to school. “Is this what we want for our kids?” she questions, highlighting a troubling reality that many parents face.
With school hours from 8:15 AM to 4 PM, Morgan challenges the rationale behind assigning 2-3 hours of homework each night. “How does this make sense?” she asks. “Is family time not valuable? Shouldn’t children have the freedom to simply be kids?” Her thoughts echo a growing debate among parents regarding the balance between academic responsibilities and childhood enjoyment.
Highlighting international perspectives, she references Finland, where children experience more recess and significantly less homework than their peers in other countries. Finnish students, who start school later and undergo little standardized testing, consistently rank high in international assessments for reading, mathematics, and science. “Children do not need hours of homework to succeed,” Morgan argues passionately. “It simply doesn’t make sense.”
As anxiety rates in children and teens continue to rise, it’s clear that the pressure to perform academically may play a role. Adults are also feeling the strain of constant multitasking and minimal downtime, and this lifestyle trend is filtering down to our children.
Many educators have rallied behind Morgan’s sentiments. A fourth-grade teacher commented, “I fully support this. I haven’t assigned homework this year, and my students are thriving academically without the stress.” Similarly, a fifth-grade math teacher expressed that eliminating homework has led to a more relaxed learning environment.
Ultimately, Morgan concludes her post by emphasizing her priorities for her daughter’s future. “I don’t care if she goes to Harvard; I want her to be well-rounded, kind, and balanced. Above all, I want her to enjoy her childhood.”
This article was originally published on April 26, 2017.
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In summary, Jamie Morgan’s bold stance against homework highlights a critical issue in today’s educational system and the need for a healthier balance between work and play for children.