So, you don't ask for advice so I am loathe to butt in but this isn't really advice but just a perspective: as an educator I'm sure you're aware of all the research that says homework is not helpful in elementary school, especially not in kindergarten - it's helpful to really take in that you aren't messing up, the kids and you are being asked to do something that isn't age appropriate or helpful and messes up family schedules and is designed to create stress and conflict. You can not do the kindergarten homework and nothing will happen. Also, my older kid was a later reader whose K teacher was panicked about it and now in middle school he reads a 500 page book a week. For me, it really helped to unpack how much I got my sense of worth as a kid from being the teacher pleasing student and not putting that on my kids.
So, you don't ask for advice so I am loathe to butt in but this isn't really advice but just a perspective: as an educator I'm sure you're aware of all the research that says homework is not helpful in elementary school, especially not in kindergarten - it's helpful to really take in that you aren't messing up, the kids and you are being asked to do something that isn't age appropriate or helpful and messes up family schedules and is designed to create stress and conflict. You can not do the kindergarten homework and nothing will happen. Also, my older kid was a later reader whose K teacher was panicked about it and now in middle school he reads a 500 page book a week. For me, it really helped to unpack how much I got my sense of worth as a kid from being the teacher pleasing student and not putting that on my kids.
Love your writing as always.
Brain Candy!
I'm sorry. I replied before reading the whole thing. I genuinely feel sympathetic with you. Kids. Man.
Thanks, Laura. I have been meaning to tell you that I finally read How To Talk So Kids Will Listen (etc.) and it was as great as you said!