October 6th, 2007 by Atomictumor
OK.
I understand that we, as a general rule, ended up doing some things about a decade ago that resulted in a child in middle school today.
Check. I take full (well, partial) responsibility for that. (well, for my child. You’re on your own for yours…)
Now, my question is, are we supposed to be doing the homework?
Because, man, MastaG’s working on this one timeline project, and lemme tell ya, it ain’t going so well…
October 6th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Just think of it as a karmic balance for all the schoolwork your parents did, I mean helped you do.
October 6th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
I always ended up helping my kids with their projects in some form or fashion. Although, the teachers are looking for a project to “look like” your kid did it, if you help too much they will realize it was a “parent project” and not from your own child.
October 6th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Heh! This is just the beginning. Mine are in high school and speaking of projects, I was kind of disappointed that we only got a B on that World History poster we made last week.
October 6th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Yes! You do the first child’s. Then when they are in high school you are helping the middle schooler but occasionally get to assign the high schooler to do the middle schooler’s work. Ah! Justice…
October 6th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I refuse to do my children’s homework. That seems to be rare, especially when it comes to science fair projects. If the homework is reasonable, then the kids ought to be able to do it, and they won’t learn if they don’t do it themselves; if it’s unreasonable, I either complain to a teacher or don’t get mad at my kids if they don’t get the best grade on it. I hate homework anyway; for the most part, I think it’s useless busywork that takes time when kids should be playing, relaxing, or being with their families.
October 7th, 2007 at 3:47 am
When I was growing up, I never asked my parents for help on homework. If I couldn’t do it then I asked the teacher what was up. But times, they have a-changed. I tried the “I will help” approach with kid #1, but she barely graduated no matter what I did and I was a straight A student who skipped a grade. So with #2 I tried just “helping” although he didn’t need much, but homework still killed him, although he got straight A’s. With #3, when she said “I just can’t” I just did it…..Live and learn they are all different. But I feel there is something wrong with schools that make kids work more hours outside of school than inside.
October 7th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Is it a project that he could be reasonably expected to complete on his own? Some projects are intended to involve parents.
October 7th, 2007 at 7:42 am
When I was growing up, I had to walk to school in the snow uphill both ways in barbed wire underwear.
October 7th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Define “help”….
My oldest daughter couldn’t type worth a darn.(still can’t) Every LA/Soc assignment had to be typed!!
In middle school (just ended last year) she would write out her assignments and I would type them up for her. (I didn’t edit anything either)
As far as artsy projects, I would be her the supplies and let her have at it. That was her thing to win or lose.
So basically I was just a secretary. Since they were her own ideas I didn’t consider it to be “illegal” helping.
October 7th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Hey, this is middle school people! I understand we all want our kids to get good grades, but really, what are they learning by YOU doing their work? Not as much as if they had done it on their own! Let them do it, or else you will be tagging along with them to their college classes! Teachers KNOW they are KIDS and don’t expect perfection! As for the typing mom, this is the technology era, your child will need to learn to type soon, why not now?!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
My son did his timeline project 90% by himself, and 10% from me. He received a C for his efforts. Our friends son did his timeline project 10% on his own, and 90% by his parents. He received an A+ smiley face for his efforts.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Donna,
Well, she typed so slowly and would lose her place so often. It would take her forever.
I made her do a typing tutor program over the summer and she is much better now. I no longer have to type.
I also figured that the objective of these assignments was for her to convey her ideas and understanding about the reading material not to increase her typing proficiency.
Thanks a lot for your input. You are a truly lovely person!!