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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that parents who moan about their kids gettting too much homework..........

284 replies

rudolphsmum · 12/02/2011 12:19

........to think that parents who moan about there kids getting too much homework can't then expect them to do well in exams.

If my son is finding something difficult I sit and explain it to him and if I can't I speak to his teacher. The most recent complaint I heard was that one mum spoke to the head teacher about her daughter finding homework hard but that she wasn't interested because all she is cares about is the school getting good results ....sorry I thought that was what a good head teacher was supposed to be concerned about.

There seems to be a certain group of parents that send there kids to school and expect all learning to go on between 9-3 Mon - Fri and then wonder why their children struggle and before anyone starts on about children being to tired or need to play and relax when they get home, I am not talking about hours of the stuff either - ok rant over ;)

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 12/02/2011 12:21

Well, we get LOADS of homework so as far as I'm concerned YABU Grin as I LOATHE doing it with my ds.

onimolap · 12/02/2011 12:22

I'm not sure the link is that clear cut. It depends on the age of the child, the nature of the homework and how long it is meant to take.

woollyideas · 12/02/2011 12:22

^^
"...all she is cares about is the school getting good results ....sorry I thought that was what a good head teacher was supposed to be concerned about.

Biscuit
JaneS · 12/02/2011 12:25

You can have too much homework! My cousin is doing A levels and none of her teachers have talked to each other, so initially she was timetabled to have 4-5 hours a night. Come on, that's ridiculous! Maybe these parents mind that no-one has really thought about how to timetable homework sensibly.

altinkum · 12/02/2011 12:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Boozilla · 12/02/2011 12:32

My DD (6) gets a lot of homework, it's past 5pm most nights before she's finished when we start it as soon as she gets home from school.

That's longer than some full time jobs!

redskyatnight · 12/02/2011 12:34

If my DS did all the homework the school suggests (and granted they suggest more than they expect anyone to do) he would be spending up to 2 hours a day. He is 6. We focus on the stuff he is struggling with and/or very interested in. Don't believe it will make the slightest bit of difference to his future results.

sleepywombat · 12/02/2011 12:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuzzLiteBeer · 12/02/2011 12:35

and the mothers who worl full time and don't have several hours of an evening to do pointless homework? Hmm

TheVisitor · 12/02/2011 12:37

I don't think primary school age children should get homework at all until year 6.

walesblackbird · 12/02/2011 12:38

I loathe homework with a passion.

I have three children - two boys who are a complete nightmare to get to do anything, and a daughter who loves to do her homework.

So, this weekend we (I) have to make/find/buy a Roman sword and shield and that's as well as learning his words for a spelling test and doing maths.

My other two also have reading books that they have to go through.

I have a weekend - and have far better things to do with my time than arse about making swords and shields.

walesblackbird · 12/02/2011 12:38

Oh and my eldest is only 9!

usualsuspect · 12/02/2011 12:40

I don't think primary school children should get any home work at all ..so yabu

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/02/2011 12:40

my dc 8yr has 30mins english/maths each night plus reading plus spelling plus music practice - can take an hour some days

some days im hard pushed for time as not back to house till 5pm, then tea/homework bath and bed

seems sad that never gets a chance to play in evenings :(

SummerRain · 12/02/2011 12:46

Some of the older kids in our school are spending over six hours a night on homework.... this is primary!

So yes, YABU... some teachers give too much and burn out their students before they ever even get to exam age and that's criminal imo.

My 4 and 6 year old get loads some days too and I think it's counterproductive. They're children fgs and need time to wind down and play after school. Some days my dd (6) is still doing homework by the time dinner is on the table and has more to do after dinner. So she spends over 8 hours a day on school work at far too young and age.

dalek · 12/02/2011 12:47

I HATE homework. DD is year 6 and gets loads and again often stuff that hasn't been covered in class. And I know for a fact that some of the homework is done by parents so doesn't achieve anything at all!

I don't believe children should get ANY homework until they get to secondary school.

Unfortunately if teachers give less homework, some parents complain about there not being enough. I do feel sorry for teachers - they can't win!

Also by the time after school activities are done DD is knackered. But the school wants her to have a life outside school as well.

NormanTheForeman · 12/02/2011 12:48

I also think that primary school children shouldn't get homework. The younger ones particularly are already really tired when they finish school without doing homework. When I was at school we never had homework until secondary school, and people still did well.

Fortunately ds's head teacher is of the same opinion, and apart from expecting the children to read every night, they are not given any homework. The head teacher says that he is of the opinion that at this age, the children will get far more out of doing things after school that they can't do in school (e.g. sport, cubs/brownies, dancing, music, and yes, playing with their toys).

At secondary school I can see the point of homework, but given that most schools start at about 9 and finish around 3.30, I think a maximum of an hour and a half of homework a night should be the rule (equivalent to a 9 to 5 working day).

littleducks · 12/02/2011 12:49

dd is 4 and in reception, she gets reading hwk which she is supposed to do daily, we normally do 5 days of the week but often not all school days as there just isnt enough time

She gets sheets of writing stuff randomly, that all state that homework is optional but any done will be looked at

I hope it continues like this for a few years

UNfortunately the school seems to go to the other end of the spectrum with 'mummy homework' and i get given sewing/baking/providing projects when i pick dd up at 6

Eglu · 12/02/2011 12:52

"...all she is cares about is the school getting good results ....sorry I thought that was what a good head teacher was supposed to be concerned about.

No, a HT should be concerned about each child achieving their potential at the end of their time at school. And that is not the same as above. It also should not be only possible through hours and hours of homework.

WelliBob · 12/02/2011 12:52

"...all she is cares about is the school getting good results ....sorry I thought that was what a good head teacher was supposed to be concerned about. "

NO, a good HT is supposed to be concerned with the welfare of the children in their care. Not just academically but socially and pastorally. A good HT will make such that school is vibrant and enriching and that the children leave with confidence.

TrillianAstra · 12/02/2011 12:52

In your title you write 'moan about their kids getting too much homework'
and in your first line 'moan about there kids getting too much homework'

The first one is correct. The second is not. Thought you'd like to know.

There is such a thing as too much homework.

WelliBob · 12/02/2011 12:52

Grin x posts Eglu

missmehalia · 12/02/2011 12:53

Homework is a nonsense, unless the child is keen to carry on with something. It's particularly ridiculous at primary age.

If any of us, as adults, had a full time job where they sent work home with us every night we'd be up in arms to our union. It's all very well to expect this at mid-secondary/tertiary level (independent learning, etc) but earlier on it achieves very little and could put our young people off learning, imo. They have years and years to acquire the life skills they need.

Good teaching means that children will get it over time. They can't be utterly amazing at everything, it's OK to be average as long as they're not bored. Jumping through the exam hoops sufficiently in order to get to a uni has far less value these days than it once did. It's not for everyone. Basic literacy, numeracy, kindness, personal organisation, high self esteem and being able to cook are among my priorities for what I'd like my children to learn.

Eglu · 12/02/2011 12:58

Glad I'm not the only one Wellibob :)

Original poster
rudolphsmum · 12/02/2011 19:45

Okay I'm happy to be unreasonable. ;)

OP posts: