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Original poster

I just don't want to do the kids' half term homework.

64 replies

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 18/02/2022 10:03

And it would be me doing it, to a large extent, because they've both been given "science experiments" that involve a lot of parental input and support.

The DC are in y3 and y5, and both do very well academically. We've never not done homework before - a fairly large chunk of our weekends are spent getting it done. We homeschooled throughout every lockdown and did all the work required of us. I just don't want to do this. I frankly can't be bothered, and don't see why we can't have just one week off without homework.

How bad would it be to just talk the topics through with them, but not produce anything to hand in? I'd let their teachers know it was a parental decision and not the DC's fault, as it's not something they could get on with independently.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 18/02/2022 10:45

Would they be worried going into school knowing it’s not done?

Original poster
GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 18/02/2022 10:47

DS would struggle physically with his - he's a lefty and it involves cutting out skeleton bones and then using split pins to put the skeleton together (after labelling the bones). We don't have any left-handed scissors (yes, I must get some) or any split pins. Considering just printing out a skeleton picture abd getting him to research and then label the bones.

DD's involves measuring and weighing different objects, then dropping them in water and seeing weather they float and if they sink, how long it takes. Perfectly possible, I know - it just she's clumsy and this sounds like I'm going to end up with a very wet kitchen floor.

Think I'm going to have to woman up and get it done though.

OP posts:
Etinoxaurus · 18/02/2022 10:48

@senua

Everybody else is staying in and watching the rain. I want to know what other exciting things you have planned that prevent you from doing some science experiments!
Me too! TBH I’d love a messing about with salt and bicarbonate activity to distract me from the wind!

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ExactlyThat · 18/02/2022 10:49

We never do homework in the holidays. They need a break.

busyeatingbiscuits · 18/02/2022 10:49

Some parents really want homework for some reason and will fuss and complain at the teacher/school if it isn't set.

If you don't want to do it, don't.
Or just watch a youtube video of someone else doing it.
I bet the teacher doesn't even check who has or hasn't done it when they get back Grin

I've never done any homework my kids can't do independently except listening to them read, and my eldest is in all the top sets at secondary so it hasn't done him any harm.

busyeatingbiscuits · 18/02/2022 10:52

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

DS would struggle physically with his - he's a lefty and it involves cutting out skeleton bones and then using split pins to put the skeleton together (after labelling the bones). We don't have any left-handed scissors (yes, I must get some) or any split pins. Considering just printing out a skeleton picture abd getting him to research and then label the bones.

DD's involves measuring and weighing different objects, then dropping them in water and seeing weather they float and if they sink, how long it takes. Perfectly possible, I know - it just she's clumsy and this sounds like I'm going to end up with a very wet kitchen floor.

Think I'm going to have to woman up and get it done though.

What is worrying you about them not doing it? Are they desperate to do it?

DS - you don't have the equipment so can't do it, problem solved.
DD - if she's really keen to do it, let her get on with the weighing herself and she can put things in water when she's in the bath.

MaizeAmaze · 18/02/2022 10:53

Your modification for DS is great (but yes, buy him some scissors he can use for future).

DD it doesn't need to be really messy. Just only half fill the bowl. Suggest an orange, a pealed orange, a sponge if you have one, and a coin/marble/rock.

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 18/02/2022 11:01

How about your children? Are they ok for not doing it?
Yes, it's annoying that a lot of homework involve parental input. But tbh, I think my dc enjoyed it, so it was justified.
Of course it's different if dc doesn't want to do it. But the reason why you are not doing it is just because you can't be bothered even you have time and resources, then I feel sad for the children.

Alicetheowl · 18/02/2022 11:05

I don't get the point of homework which children can't do independently. It's unfair on the children who don't have supportive parents, or parents who may not have good English, or are working two jobs to make ends meet. And it's pointless for kids whose parents do everything for them.
Maybe just let them crack on with it, even if the results aren't good?

Original poster
GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 18/02/2022 11:27

@rainrainraincamedowndowndown

How about your children? Are they ok for not doing it? Yes, it's annoying that a lot of homework involve parental input. But tbh, I think my dc enjoyed it, so it was justified. Of course it's different if dc doesn't want to do it. But the reason why you are not doing it is just because you can't be bothered even you have time and resources, then I feel sad for the children.

Yes, well, you can stop feeling sorry for my (very much loved, cared for and privileged) children, because we're doing it.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 18/02/2022 11:34

I expected you to be building things or making things go bang not sticking some paper together and putting some stuff in water 🙄. Lesson in leaving your homework til the last day op 😂

Fizbosshoes · 18/02/2022 11:36

IMO virtually all primary homework was actually homework for parents.
When I was at school we did home reading and spellings and that was it , until secondary school where we got homework

BobbinHood · 18/02/2022 11:39

If they want to do it then I’d just bite the bullet and crack on with it. If they’re not arsed then I’d leave it. I don’t think schools should be setting homework that can’t be done independently anyway.

Original poster
GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 18/02/2022 11:43

@SleepingStandingUp

I expected you to be building things or making things go bang not sticking some paper together and putting some stuff in water 🙄. Lesson in leaving your homework til the last day op 😂

I did say in my OP that I just frankly couldn't be bothered. We do everything required of us by the school, and it's a lot. Every weekend we get two lots of English, two lots of maths, spellings, times tables practice, and reading. It takes most of Saturday morning.

And these particular projects seem a bit pointless, and I've have just liked a week off from it, for all of us.

Nevermind, DS has done his, and DD is writing up her results now. We managed not to flood the kitchen in the process.

OP posts:
Calennig · 18/02/2022 11:46

@thistimelastweek

Oh yeah, the half-term project billed as fun. In reality, it just ruined the holiday.
DC first primary was awful for this - lots of model making/craft that seemed done by other parents and lots of reasearch new topic and make poster.

When we moved new school rarely set anything like this - except one half term holiday - it was eye opening how much time and stress just went though still resented the half term tasks that were set.

Hoppinggreen · 18/02/2022 11:50

I would be guided by the kids
DD would have major anxiety if it wasn’t done and done RIGHT
DS wouldn’t give a shit but might make a token effort if he thought he might get into trouble otherwise

EmJay19 · 18/02/2022 11:52

Don’t agree with primary school homework and I’m a teacher. Often the ideas come from above the class teacher (maybe they’re having a sickle e push atm) and they’re just following instructions to send something out.

I was NEVER bothered when homework wasn’t done. It’s got no good representation of what the child can do, more a measure of what the parent has done.

Don’t lose any sleep over it

EmJay19 · 18/02/2022 11:52

*not a good representation

MintyGreenDream · 18/02/2022 12:10

We haven't got any this half term thank god

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 18/02/2022 12:12

I bet there’s a YouTube video of the experiments in question

MRS54321 · 18/02/2022 12:15

Do the chucking the mentos into fizzy juice bottle
Done!
Or plant an apple seed and claim to sing to it to promote growth
But I don’t think there’s anything wrong in taking a stance against it.
Apart from reading,math ,spelling for a few minutes, little kids shouldn’t have homework

balalake · 18/02/2022 12:15

Storm Eunice is your friend here- you've had to ensure everything is secure etc, so did not have the time. Agree you should accept responsibility and tell the school.

user1471554720 · 18/02/2022 12:24

Google it and try and do something easy. Just to have something. If it needs lots of parental input and is time consuming, then just tell them you couldn't do it as you were working all week. IMO teachers often forget that parents could be wfh. They think that everyone is off for mid term.

ReiltinDubh · 18/02/2022 12:40

I just can't get over homework been given over a holiday Confused it's a holiday! Kids deserve some time to recharge without worrying about having to do hw, never mind parents too. Sorry OP that's not much help to you.

SleepingStandingUp · 18/02/2022 16:03

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

I bet there’s a YouTube video of the experiments in question
Of seeing if objects float or sink? More like an episode of Kit and Pup on iPlayer
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