Before I get into my thoughts on summer reading and summer homework for children I really need to make it known that I have the upmost respect for all educators. I for one could not do their jobs and I am grateful for everyone that have taught my children in the past and have made impacts on their lives. However as a Mom I can't stress how much I hate summer reading and all the summer work my 11 and 12 years old's have this summer. The stress it causes them and our entire household doesn't seem to be right to me.
The three of us had a great Sunday Funday today. We watched the Women's World Cup at a friends followed by lunch and swimming. We then went grocery shopping and cooked dinner together. It was turning out to be a beautiful Sunday afternoon. After I cleaned up dinner I made the three of us sit down and discuss where we are at with all this summer work on the sheets they both brought home. Not so much with my daughter but my son went into instant anxiety. He already started a book but then started to second guess his decision because the sheet he was sent home you need to choose three things to do in a row. Reading books, articles, editorials, listening to books on YouTube are some of the choices. He was all worried he wasn't understanding what they were asking for and what would be required to do when he returns to school. This went on for a good hour and he was in tears totally stressed out about this work that needs to be done. It took me another hour after that to get him to calm down and take a deep breath because does this really matter that much in the grand scheme of things? Once I had him calm I had to text a few of my teacher friends and complain because at that point I was also worked up. I really feel like their is a lack of evidence that this is really helping our children during their summer vacation. In my personal opinion I really think it's over the top.
I am not at all one of these parents that doesn't force my children to work hard. During the school year honor roll is required in this house, school comes first and god forbid my children disrespect anyone in school especially if I haven't ran that day. I am honest and real with them when we sit down and talk about things and I told them today I think all this summer work plain stinks. My children are far from perfect but do we really think all this extra pressure is really necessary when they should be enjoying their summers? Don't these children already have enough pressures with social media, bullying, dealing with way more things than I can even wrap my head around at times? I might not be the average parent but if your child doesn't choose reading first but instead a game of wiffle ball or a bucket of balls at the driving range I really don't think that is bad. In my opinion I think children should be forced 20 hours of outdoor activities instead. Going on vacations, riding their bikes, going swimming and just plain playing with friends outside seems to be what these children need instead. Take the video games, tablets and phones away and go for a hike and just talk. Blast a song you all like and have a dance party. Let's be honest they are only children for such a short time and then real stress sets in.
Learning can come in all different forms. I think we need to re-evaluate the stress we put on children because as I see it more and more we are just increasing stress and anxiety in already a crazy hectic world.
Yorumlar