Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not make my kids do holiday homework?

75 replies

CokeAndCrispsAndDip · 18/12/2019 16:28

Every school holiday my kids get holiday homework, its never something quick and simple its always something time consuming and tedious. They are year 3 and 5 and and so far I've done every one. But this Christmas its really just pissed me off. The kids have a packed schedule with me visiting family then they go to their Dads for a week and he's the same. I just don't want to waste a day doing it! It's my holiday to and want to relax and enjoy down time with them.

So, am I unreasonable to not do it?

OP posts:
DippyAvocado · 18/12/2019 17:28

I gave my Y2 class some maths, reading and spelling homework to keep them ticking over as we are off for nearly 3 weeks. Some will do it, some won't. Some parents expect it. I gave an accompanying note saying to do whatever amount was practical for them. I wouldn't give model-making homework though. As a parent, I hate it!

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 18/12/2019 17:28

I do see what you're saying OP. The input required and the lack of enthusiasm from school at the results is infuriating and it all feels very box ticking but my kids were really invested in Not Being Different. So we always did the projects but it did used to piss me off.

NomNomNomNom · 18/12/2019 17:29

I also agree with PP. There's no way any kids on y3 independently complete those projects. How would the source the material they needed for a start? Even then a 7 year old generally is no good at planning huge projects or knows how to research viking invasions without help.

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 18/12/2019 17:29

I wouldn't give model-making homework though. As a parent, I hate it!

Can you encourage this stance in all your teacher pals? Grin. Despise models etc!

PBo83 · 18/12/2019 17:30

It does worry how many people are advocating allowing kid's not to bother with homework. Even if the content of the homework isn't overly relevant, children need to know that 'homework isn't optional' and parents definitely shouldn't be undermining the schools like this.

4GreenApples · 18/12/2019 17:31

Depends what the homework is, but generally we have a go at it.

TBH for the homework you describe, I’d probably have them do the research and writing bits, but only do the crafting bits if they actually wanted to make models of polar bears and robots.

Ellisandra · 18/12/2019 17:31

It’s better to work on it because you intrinsically enjoy it and take pride in it - than you after extrinsic praise from the teacher.
I do think it’s great when the teacher acknowledges it - but I don’t think it’s a bad thing if that is low key.

Both those homeworks sound like they could become fun activities, and it’s a shame they’re not enthused. Can they work together on a pair of robot polar bears? I usually adapt homework depending on interests... last year my then Y6 son had to do a drawing of a made up Egyptian style god - so he did it on Sims4 and screenshoted it.

Depending on how much homework they usually get, I don’t think those are a big ask and they both have potential for fun.

Sicario · 18/12/2019 17:31

I have done that before - sent a letter to school saying that it was family time and we would not be completing the homework schedule. They're kids and the only "homework" they should be doing is baking home-made mince pies and making stuffing hedgehogs.

Lipperfromchipper · 18/12/2019 17:33

My DD’s school hasn’t even given them homework THIS week (and they’re still in school)

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 18/12/2019 17:37

Personally I would make them do it. It's bad for kids to get out of the habit to do school work on a daily basis. My mum made sure I had to Chinese homework to do when on holiday and my school work as well. It's a good habit to work.

Spacerader · 18/12/2019 17:38

I'd maybe just spend half hour with each of them writing facts about the arctic and drawing a polar bear, and same for the other one. Write your facts about metal and draw a robot.

I hated homework where things had to be made. I once spent hours making an elaborate poster with ds when he was 5 about st David's day. And a Victorian house with DS when she was the same age. I hated it and never took part in big art projects again. Just got them to draw pictures. Ds is 14 now and a keen artist and just starting his art GCSE so I guess it didn't put him off

Spacerader · 18/12/2019 17:40

And I u understand homework for the summer holidays. But not christmas. Even most people who work and have time off over christmas switch off (not everyone obviously, but the money I walk out the door friday I will not think about work until I go back in January, I make a point t of leaving the work laptop and phone in work as well)

Musmerian · 18/12/2019 17:40

I’m a secondary school teacher and I don’t set homework in the holidays.”, apart from reading, unless they are GCSE or A level. I think those kinds of tasks should be optional. There’s no need for homework at Primary .

whiskybysidedoor · 18/12/2019 17:41

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my kids at primary school is that lots of people tend to say ‘goodness no, we don’t do the holiday homework we are far too busy with friends and family. They are only young once, what possible good can it do?’

When in actual reality they do beaver away at home, often completing more than the art homework, doing english/ maths revision & extension. Not to mention the ‘light tutoring’.

Honesty do what you think is best. I agree art projects are often a waste of time but don’t be believing that everyone is relaxing. Just nobody likes to admit it!

EasyLifer · 18/12/2019 17:48

YANBU, schools won't allow holidays in term time so they shouldn't try and impose school work in holiday time.

Most working adults wouldn't take work home to do in their annual leave time, so why should children be expected to do it?

jellycatspyjamas · 18/12/2019 17:48

Even if the content of the homework isn't overly relevant, children need to know that 'homework isn't optional' and parents definitely shouldn't be undermining the schools like this.

I’d rather think that schools shouldn’t be imposing on family time like this. These are primary aged children, there’s time enough to build good study habits as they grow but when they’re still small down time matters.

My 8 year old came home with a “holiday maths challenge” sponsored by the Deputy First Minister - I have no shame whatsoever in saying I used it to line the cat litter tray. Kids are not mini adults, they need down time and at this time of year they end up knackered, frankly we all have enough to be going on with without adding a bloody maths activity into the bargain. Schools don’t have a claim on my family time, they don’t get to decide how we spend holidays and frankly I don’t care how undermining that sounds.

Laiste · 18/12/2019 17:54

Bloody homework.

Every day my 5 year old (so year 1) has to do:

  • Reading (book)
  • Word sheet (20 words)
  • Spelling practice (10 words)

On and Wednesday and Thursday there is ALSO:

  • Handwriting practice
  • Number bond sheet

Daily we are expected to carefully record info. in the homework book about how it all went. Seriously i struggle to find enough time for it all. It's all got to be 100% parent support.

I'm praying there wont be another 'big project' this holiday. Last time they had to do a map of the village (!) with special attention to areas where they've witnessed wildlife. This is 5 year olds we're talking about. Plus a poem about it Hmm

rant over

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 18/12/2019 17:55

I would get them to spend 15 mins looking up facts about the arctic / metals as appropriate and write down about 5 facts each. Then give them some Plastercine / Play Doh to make their own arctic animal or Robot.

The main thing is preparing a few basic facts which won't take long. The model building should be quite fun and something you won't need to help with except for providing Plastercine.

MrsScrubbithatescleaning · 18/12/2019 18:00

We do writing/spellings/math etc. but I wouldn’t be doing an Art project unless the child really wanted to do it.
Total waste of time. Hmm

crookshanksthecat · 18/12/2019 18:03

We have a range of homework options from schools in our family -senior school has policy of no homework during holiday, it is time to rest and refresh and spend with family.
junior department - some set work plus reading - they have to read a whole novel which is the class reader, plus write weekly reports on their own reader.
Little ones - optional holiday work which never seems to get checked/marked so not sure why we bother except dc really wants to do it.

Personally I think holidays should be rest time.

Notsure1978 · 18/12/2019 18:08

Year 5 is quite an important year, so yeah at least have a go at it.
My daughter (year 5) forgot to tell me she had homework in the summer. Her lovely teacher sent an email reminder to parents 5 days before back to school and I sent him a picture of us cycling through Slovenia... he gave us a weeks extension and said that was because we were doing something awesome with her.

Leeds2 · 18/12/2019 18:11

I have to say in all honestly that I would've made sure my child did it. Whilst moaning to myself through gritted teeth! But to be fair, only the art project aspects - written work I wouldn't have a problem with in the run in to going back to school.
If I were a teacher, I like to think I would set an either/or art project/written work task. For some children, an art project is brilliant homework and a chance to shine - for me/DD it was a source of dread!

Okki · 18/12/2019 18:12

We don't do model making. I can't take my children out of school for holidays so don't give them school work in the holidays because they won't be doing it. Clue is in the word holiday. Important exam years would be different. I used to do them but got so fed up of the hours and money I'd have to spend buying paint and crap I said no more. Obv if it was something they really wanted to do then I wouldn't stop them, but they'd be doing it not me.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 18/12/2019 18:15

Ds is in Reception and has suggested tasks (homework) every fucking half term

WoollyMummoth · 18/12/2019 18:16

I wouldn’t dream of setting homework for the Christmas holidays! I tell them to keep reading (because it’s meant to be fun as well as beneficial) and have fun with their families.