Thread: homework due in next day

I'm sure when I was at school there was a general agreement that homework would not be given and due in the next day (except for Mr Hughes' special maths homework on a Monday night just to amuse us while he was marking the main homework from the rest of the week - used to reduce me to tears that one)

Anyway, DS1 has this term started bringing home maths homework on Tuesday night which is due in next day. Tuesday night he has Scouts. So I pick him up 5.45 or so from childminder, by the time he gets in and gets changed etc and sits down to do his homework, which he struggles with at the best of times, we are racing the clock to get it done before he has to go to Scouts for 7. I'm splitting my attention between the two boys and DS1 grasps the excuse to get distracted if DS2 (who is only five after all) follows me into the room when I go to help him. Of course he gets in a stew and says he won't go to Scouts, which I happen to think is very important for a boy like him who doesn't do any other extra curricular stuff and suffers from lack of confidence and social anxiety. Plus I pay for it by the term.

He could do the homework at the childminders but although I suggested it to him and her yesterday, it still didn;t happen today. he is going to have to finish it off tomorrow morning this time but I don't want to encourage him to rely on doing that. I could try and get home from work earlier on a Tuesday but I can't always do that either.

Am I going to come across really badly if I ring the teacher and ask her to consider not giving out homework which is due in next day? Am I just not making enough effort here?

Not at all, I think you should speak with the teacher. Is it definately only being given out on a Tuesday? It does seem unreasonable to have it due next day as people have things on and it is better if you have a little longer and can dedicate a bit more time without pressure to try and do it better.

It must be being given out on Tuesdays, because he has a homework diary and it's written on Tuesday, he'd have to be really thinking ahead to write it in on the day before it's due in on purpose!

Just wondering whether to ring or write. Really really don't want to come across as a moaning can't-be-bothered-to-help-my-child mum...

I would call your DS's form tutor if you can, ( that's what we are supposed to do if there are any problems) I think it's a bit much handing it out one day to be done by the next. My DS has a diary and mostly he gets between 3 days and 2 weeks to do it.

Hmm, the maths teacher in question IS also his form tutor! And I have to write anyway tomorrow to say we have an appointment with CAMHS, so it would be handy to mention it in the letter especially as it is kind of connected, the social anxiety and the importance of Scouts bit, but I'm worried I'll go on and on in a letter out of worry that I've not got my point across...

I feel your pain. Both my children have homework every night that must be in the next morning (weekends is double homework). I pick them up from school at 4.30 & get home at 5.30. Whilst I am making their tea they are at the kitchen table doing the homework - I flit between hob, and both children helping them. They have their tea then carry on with their homework (Imogen's takes 40 minutes and alex's 30 minutes), 10 mins piano practise after that then bath/shower and bed by 7.30 at the latest. They both had to give up Beaver scouts this term as I knew it wouldn't fit it in, which is a real shame as it was good for them. I've accepted now that some things had to go. We now spend weekends doing fun stuff.

p.s. they're only 6 and (almost) 8 years old - God knows what it's going to be like when they get to senior school!

Ginny - I would cut out the bath!

just bite the bullet & ring the teacher..... explain the problem etc, I think they should have longer than one evening to do homework.... let us know how you get on...

Ginny - and besides, by the time they get to senior school they won't have to go to bed by 7.30! But it is such a struggle isn't it. I so often end up feeling guilty for working.

Originally Posted by JenT

Ginny - I would cut out the bath!

my kind of parenting!