Posts by boldrider13

We don't really have a choice in the matter. I just wanted to tell the moms who are struggling—because let’s be honest, leaving your kid somewhere isn't easy—that things aren't always as bleak as they seem. It is entirely possible to end up with an amazing teacher, helping your child develop solid study habits and find good friends along the way. There are plenty of parents out there who simply don't know how to help, or perhaps can't, their children. So, where do we blame the "bad students"? And frankly, thanks, but I don't need anyone to step in and bathe my child; I've handled that myself from day one, and I'll continue to do so. If a child had to be in daycare from 8:00 to 4:00, what is the issue now? No one is stopping you from bringing the backpack home and checking what was covered that day. There is no reason for mothers to unnecessarily stress themselves out. Our family is actually a success story: our child is average in intelligence but independent and successful, which is what matters most. We don't sit around doing homework together, but we make up for it by playing.

There is certainly such a thing as traditional rote learning. If you only saw our school notebooks and binders, you might understand what I mean. It isn't as if these kids are expected to memorize massive historical texts requiring intense concentration. We are talking about first graders here. Their science lessons, for instance, are typically just five or six sentences long. I suppose the only thing they really need to practice at home is reading. Of course, religious studies and foreign languages are also factors. But we have a TEACHER to handle that.

The real upside of after-school programs compared to standard classrooms is how much more independent kids become. They actually learn how to sit down, finish their homework, and then show what they've done once they're through. You don't have to hover over them constantly, nor do they come running back to you after every single line they write. We happen to be lucky enough that our instructor at the program is incredibly professional and takes the role seriously rather than just acting like a glorified babysitter. With the kind of guidance she provides, even an average student could probably end up on the honor roll.