I'm gonna go out on a limb here and risk ticking some people off... But that's what I do! I heard a news program the other day that really had me irritated. The more I thought about it, the more irritated I became.
It was said that parents are "bad parents" for encouraging all these sports and extra curricular activities. The host went on to say that there should be MORE homework and focus on education and less of the nonsense. What?! Nonsense?! Listen here mister... I think your program is NONSENSE!!
My kids spend 8 hours and 20 minutes every day en route to / from, and at school. My 6 year old spends as much time at school each day as I spend at work. I know at the end of my work day I'm ready to go home! And do SOMETHING ELSE!! Anything else! That's a long day for me. But that's an ETERNITY to a first grader!
But wait... I'm a "bad parent" because their homework isn't always my top priority? Because I encourage them to play sports? Or to come home and just go play outside?
After working an 8 hour day, do you want to go home and work on it some more? Doubtful!
Of those 8 hours and 20 minutes they spend away from the house, 7 solid hours is actually school day. And it's not like it was when I was in grade school. There isn't 3 recesses anymore. There's one! Wanna know why so many kids are diagnosed as ADHD? It's because all they do is school work. They are told to focus focus focus... Without enough of a break to be a kid!
Also, the kids usually need help with their homework. I don't mind this in general but its getting out of hand. We have several children. We spend a LOT of time on homework. They are supposed to all have time to do a ton of homework, shower or bathe, eat dinner and still get a decent night's sleep. Where is the time for play? For family fun?
I am a firm believer in education. But I am also a firm believer in sports and extra curricular activities! There are things you learn from sports that cannot be taught in a classroom. At the end of the day, I do make sure that homework is done... usually. I know they have to learn responsibility, and like I said, I am a firm believer in education. But nobody will ever make me believe that encouraging my children to be active in things outside of academics is bad parenting.
I am not, in any way, attacking teachers. I believe the teachers are following a curriculum and requirements given to them. I adore my kids' teachers. They do it for the love of teaching. They aren't paid enough and they aren't respected enough. But that's a different matter.
So as for me and my family... We are still going to make time for all that "nonsense". Football in the fall. Soccer in the spring. Baseball and Softball in the summer. Drum lessons, guitar lessons, piano lessons. Watching college basketball in the winter. Spending the occasional weekend at grandma and grandpa's house. As for the homework??
The dog ate it...
DRD
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