It seems like everyday I hear another complaint about homework. Parents asking the questiingon, "Why does my child have so much homework?" "Is all this necessary?"
The short answer is, "No, it's not necessary and it may very well be doing more harm than good." If your child has fallen behind, you need a strategy for helping them to catch up--not to simply keep treading water or worse, fall further behind while you as the parent, sit for hours, night after night, do most of your child's homework for him.
I think most teachers are well-meaning, though I see exceptions everyday. Whatever their intention, simply piling on the homework with the presumption that sooner or later the child will get it, is simply ridiculous.
Parents, once a child has fallen behind, the chances of them magically catching up are slim to none. It's just not going to happen and simply pushing them harder and harder can only lead to frustration, anger and, ultimately, resignation. And trust me, it's a tough road back from a town called, Resigantion.
If your child has been struggling for more than 6 weeks or has fallen behind to the point where they are simply not getting the current lessons, STOP!!!
Don't keep going down the same path while hoping for something to change. Stop and get help. Get tutoring, have your child evaluated, call for an(other) IEP meeting with your school (put it in writing). Take action to see that your child is given the support he needs to succeed.
Labels: ADHD, homework, parenting
