Homework Wars Backgrounder

There's a lot already written on this subject. I come at it from a few directions. First as a former elementary school teacher who gave very minimal homework. Then from a perspective of a tired, hassled parent who has little to no time with my kid every night anyway -- but is forced to spend a good part of our precious time fighting about doing homework -- only straining our relationship and if you're not a parent, you don't have any idea how bad it can get. I also come at the issue as a former KID who had time to imagine, read, think, play outside and use my non-school time in much more free and productive ways.

Here's some thoughts from Harvard Grad School of Education.

Disney's got some of that reasonable, happy, upbeat, TOTALLY BOGUS ADVICE under their Family Fun site. You have to wonder about them -- just the idea of putting homework under the heading "Family Fun" ... hmmm ... I wonder if they have their advice on ROOT CANAL under "Family Fun" as well. They start by referring to a "project" -- the word most terrifying to parents. When ever overenthusiastic educators assign a project, we all want to run for cover. The expectations for a "project" these days are so over-the-top. Notice how the Disney advice pretty much assumes the existence of that charming imaginary character "At-Home-Cookie-Baking-Mom" available to spend endless hours with junior doing homework and challenging projects. Get a life. And it's not just about moms -- I know some terrific single dads who are spending WAY too much time they don't have, engaged in exhausting homework warfare.

Mocha Sofa is an interesting site and has this pleasant advice, obviously written by a single person with no children.