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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Proposing a "Homework Corner" as a topic.

32 replies

Panfriedstardust · 07/02/2012 23:30

I had mentioned this some weeks ago to MNHQ as an idea, after I had a couple of testy sessions with dd about homework stuff, which I was either too old or too stupid to resolve. HQ indicated it could be a go-er, but nothing has raised it's head.
So, outwith HQ's thoughts ( and I am sure they are very busy) I was wondering if posters thought it would be worthwhile, even as a sort of pilot. If it wasn't used then that's the view.
I can see some difficulties/barriers to such an idea, but I am unsure if those barriers are insurmountable. There is such a reservoir of latent knowledge about homework-related stuff on MN, it seems such a waste to not use it.

And of course it does fit in with the site purpose of "making parenting easier".

So, what do we think?

thanks.

OP posts:
QuintessentialyHollow · 07/02/2012 23:31

Yes please.

LeBOF · 07/02/2012 23:32

What would it be for, though?

I'm not convinced that it's useful to get overly-involved in your child's homework, but I'm open to arguments.

Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 07/02/2012 23:45

Well LeBOF, I imagine it would be a source of support for those parents who don't want to get over-involved with their dc's homework, but nonetheless are presented with problems that the child can't resolve by any other means than asking their parent. ( esp. if you are in a 'Sunday night homework must be in tomorrow and I don't know how to do it' sort of panic!)

But also supplementing children's learning from experienced non-school sources. Schools DO encourage as wide a catchement of information (incl google and wiki), but some problems, as I know from experience, can be dealt with by informed and helpful MNers, esp. those who have either 'been there', or know how to zero-in on what is really been asked of the child.

OP posts:
Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 09:36

Bumping for the day boarders......whaddya thunk?

OP posts:
Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 12:12

No opinion, good or bad?

OP posts:
MNHQ
KatMumsnet · 08/02/2012 13:42

Sorry to be vague, but we'll pass this onto the Powers That Be.

Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 17:21

thanks Kat. Bit surprised not many people had a view.

OP posts:
MissKittyMiddleton · 08/02/2012 17:22

Only if we can cull all the useless and unused topics please.

usualsuspect · 08/02/2012 17:24

I don't see the need , but then my children are all grown up and did their own homework so what do I know.

Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 17:36

Well that's quite good for yourself usual, but not all parents are in that position. Dd was stuck on homework one sunday that involved a triangular theory of numbers, and a few MNers helped us out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 17:42

useless topics, yes I see we still have "World Cup 2010".Hmm, and AIBU......

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 08/02/2012 17:43

Well tbh I don't think primary school age children should have home work , but thats another thread

ohyouBadBadkitten · 08/02/2012 17:45

Tis a good idea I reckon.

Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 17:51

but there are thousands of chiildren at secondary school where the h/work is beyond a lot of parents and some assistance would be welcomed.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 08/02/2012 18:02

Does it need its own topic? Questions come up pretty often under Primary or Secondary education and get answered.

I've no objection, but don't really see the need.

usualsuspect · 08/02/2012 18:03

I think you would get more answers if you asked for help in aibu chat

Bucharest · 08/02/2012 18:06

I think it would be a Bad Thing and maybe cause more parents to get more involved in Junior's h/w than they already do.

Usually a "does anyone know where I can...." shout out in Chat works anyway. Only real interferers are going to hunt out a specific topic surely?

I'm a firm believer anyway in the "if a child/teenager can't do their h/w they ask the teacher not me" school of thought. (and am a parent whose daughter gets 4 hrs a day- at Primary (Italy) (and the maths is already beyond me) and a teacher....

Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 18:10

yes, questions do come up in those sections Grimma, but a Homework Corner would be specific and not to do with wider themes of education, and as such shouldn't be in the same pot as the discussions around discipline, catchement areas, bullying, special needs, uniforms etc. Posters should be able to go straight there for specific assistances.

if there isn't an identified benefit then fine, but I suspect there may be.

OP posts:
Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 18:13

real interferers? I am sometimes in a tricky situation with dd's homework, esp maths, and I don't consider myself such an interferer at all. It's demand-led.

OP posts:
Bucharest · 08/02/2012 18:14

But why should parents be doing this?

What would be the benefit? Your child gets the work done, and the teacher never realises there was a problem either in their own teaching of the activity or in your child's understanding of it!

Bucharest · 08/02/2012 18:16

Oh I'm sure it is demand led. Dd frequently throws a strop and does a "I can't do thisssssss" whinge and demands I help her.

She then goes in the following day and tells the teacher she couldn't do it, so the teacher explains it (hopefully) better.

Her friend meanwhile gets the h/w answers dictated by her interfering mother, who is then all surprised when her daughter doesn't do as well as expected in class tests.

Original poster
Panfriedstardust · 08/02/2012 18:16

erm..the most successful children are those where the parents have a role in the process of education. That role can, and sometimes is, limited by their own knowledge. Helping with homework isn't stepping on someone elses toes, nor 'doing it for them'.

OP posts:
LeBOF · 08/02/2012 18:17

Children shouldn't be assigned homework that they don't understand- I thought it was meant to be reinforcing learning that has already taken place? If my child appeared genuinely clueless, I would send a note in asking the teacher to explain the topic again. If there are particular areas which children are struggling with, it's as well to let them make their own mistakes, IME, as it then shows the teacher what needs firming up in class.

I support my dd doing GCSEs by providing her with the peace and quiet to study, but I don't recall ever having actually done helped her with the educational aspect of homework. She is self-motivated and getting brilliant results because she has been self-reliant and responsible for the consequences if homework wasn't done, not because I happen to be "lucky" to have a kid with that attitude.

So I suppose I still think that parents getting directly involved in homework is counter-productive. I wouldn't refuse to answer a direct question if she were to ask me, mind, if i could easily remind her of some grammar rule or something like that, but I wouldn't go looking for the answers on mumsnet or googling etc, I don't think.

That said, if other people disagree and do things differently, that's entirely up to them, and they could have their topic without me griping about it. Some redundant topics definitely need culling first though.

LeBOF · 08/02/2012 18:20

While I was composing that rather dull and worthy post, Bucharest said it much more effectively.

Bucharest · 08/02/2012 18:25

....and a word to the wise (this time with my teacher hat on) the teacher always knows and is always rolly-eyed about "helping" because the same results are not replicated during classtime.