How Much Are Parents Expected to Help with Kids Education? Do parents feel guilty that they’re putting too much of their child’s education on the teacher?
I conduct many interviews for Oakland County Moms.com. I get multiple requests on a daily basis asking if I’m interested in doing certain interviews. I try my best to select the ones that I feel would bring helpful and interesting content for our readers.
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS EDUCATION ARTICLES & RESOURCES
How Much Are Parents Expected to Help with Kids Education
Recently, I had a topic come through my email that I had to read a few times to be sure I was understanding it correctly. The title read “Why Parents Gave Themselves a ‘C’ Last School Year and How They Can Raise That Grade.” It went on further stating “Researcher Offers Tips for Becoming a Bigger Help to Your School Aged Child,” and according to a 2015 NBC News Parent Toolkit poll, almost half (47%) of parents say they wish they could do more when it comes to their child’s education. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of American parents agree that “Parents sometimes unfairly blame schools for things that should be the parents’ responsibility.”
I want to preface this by saying that I have been extremely grateful and happy with the teaching that has been given to my children through the school system. I have seen patience and kindness. Some have even gone above and beyond to help meet specific needs. But, this does not mean that I have not put in my fair share as well. I have spent countless evenings working tirelessly with my children to explain and demonstrate concepts, study spelling words, write papers, grasp the meanings of passages, etc. Who among us hasn’t had to brush up on our high school, junior high, or even late elementary school math skills to help their child keep up in class?
When speaking with other parents within the school system about how much are parents expected to help with kids education, I found that many vented about the loads of homework their children brought home daily, and the amount of time they put in helping their children with all of it.
So, when I was approached about doing an interview on a product called the Parent Toolkit which gets parents more involved in their child’s education (because they felt they weren’t doing enough), and helps them track and support their child’s academic and personal growth and development, I had to pass. I explained that I was quite surprised at the statistic actually and that every parent I’ve spoken with in our area has vented that they felt they were doing too much with their kids’ education (homework, projects, etc) and they’re frustrated by how time-consuming it is. Additionally, I don’t feel it’s my job to keep track of the benchmarks because in all honesty, the teachers see my children in this regard way more than I do, and are much more equipped to make this type of assessment. As for the homework, I have helped them tremendously when I can, but it’s not easy to do so when they reach certain levels. It’s most logical that the kids should have their core understanding of the subject matter prior to coming home with loads of homework, and that homework is a “review” process to practice the skills and commit them to memory.
Again, I’m not saying that I’m not on board to put in the effort to ensure my kids get a good education, but I also feel that I don’t fall within the percentage that claim they don’t think they’re doing enough. How Much Are Parents Expected to Help with Kids Education
Do you feel you are falling short on areas of your child’s education that are technically your responsibility, not the teachers’? How Much Are Parents Expected to Help with Kids Education?
