Posts by silentraven6

I’m speaking as a user here, but please, try to view this as a bit of unofficial moderation too.

Look, this topic is sensitive. It’s a minefield, and I think we all realize that. If people keep coming at this with aggressive ideological attacks—doesn't matter which side of the aisle they're on—this thread is going to get locked just like before. There is absolutely no point in having a discussion if it just turns into a playground for low blows and heated outbursts.

Honestly, I feel like this kind of communication is exactly why it's so hard to reach any actual solutions. And let's set aside the clergy and the institutions for a second—though, frankly, we probably should be leaving those issues to the government officials we actually elected (and since we voted for Democrats, well, you know how that goes)—but here, we're just regular people. So, let's just try to talk calmly and back things up with logic.

You can say anything as long as you aren't being rude. Every point made about Church contracts or how the "flock" behaves stands on its own, provided we leave out the personal insults. One reason why removing religious education from schools is such an uphill battle is the pushback from groups like "Non-Believers Inc." and similar organizations. When you look closely, their approach is essentially the same as religious fundamentalists: they're just attacking a worldview they don't share.

So, Nancy Kelly31, my faith and yours is a personal choice. It's an intimate thing practiced within specific institutions meant for that purpose, or, like me, in the privacy of our own homes. Your understanding of the world shouldn't limit someone else's freedom, and that’s exactly what incorporating religion into public schools does—it always has.

And honestly, all those arguments about "faith and science complementing each other" just don't hold water. A secular society relies on a unified scientific understanding and a scientific method that doesn't incorporate faith. You can't have a teacher tell kids asking about the Big Bang that God was responsible for it. The only answer is that scientists are working to uncover the details and are getting closer every day (like that famous "God particle"—which, let's be honest, was probably named ironically).

Similarly, when dealing with religious literature, it should be treated as historical context or pure folklore—explaining how belief shaped literature, art, and culture. Without injecting ideological baggage into textbooks, Jesus and God would simply be figures or characters within the framework of our artistic heritage.

I mean, anyone who has read Aquinas, Spinoza, or even Hegel knows that Western thought and philosophy are deeply rooted in religion and its presence. But if those purely humanistic disciplines managed to develop a scientifically grounded way to handle these topics, imagine where we’d be if our school system were trying to "complete" science with religious teachings.

Good grief, I talk to my child about faith as a possibility, without forcing it on him, because his father is an agnostic. I talk to him about tradition, about his grandmothers and the wider family, and about my own perception of God. But I never fail to make sure he knows that his belief is his own private business and that nobody is going to force him to believe just because of tradition. He'll find his own path. I gave him the sacrament of baptism myself because that's something a parent provides for a child. I even chose an agnostic godfather who has received the sacraments, specifically so my son could learn the most important part of our faith: questioning. It's about constant reflection paired with a scientifically grounded understanding of the world.

We can also look at it this way: religious education has no place in schools because it's so incredibly easy to politicize and exploit for the gain of various political factions. As believers, is that really what we want?

Susan James said:You're dreaming big here,🤣
you realize that would be considered discrimination against the kids in religion class? They'd feel left behind because they aren't getting that extra knowledge.😳

Recently, some parents from the school my oldest will likely attend were telling me that there's a decent number of non-religious kids there—including those who enroll and then immediately pull them out (usually once they realize they get a longer break during that period🤣).

Anyway, there was this veteran teacher who didn't want to just sit there staring at the ceiling with ten kids while the rest were in religion class, so she started working with them on math (basically extra practice on things they weren't quite grasping yet).
The kids in the religion class actually complained! They felt those kids were getting special treatment and that the teacher was giving them too much extra instruction, while they had to pay for private tutors or study extra on their own just to keep up with basic math.
Then, the teacher tried doing these logic puzzles and brain teasers, and once again, the other group complained—but strangely, they never asked for their own kids to get those lessons too (though it never occurred to them to just unenroll them from religion class first).
Of course, the teacher wasn't teaching anything outside her scheduled hours or beyond what she was being paid for, so the religious students went to their class and the others just collectively stared at the ceiling.

Apparently, there was even an attempt to organize a paid foreign language program during the religion block. I personally would have been more than happy to pay for it—it would solve the "empty hour" problem for me without me having to drive them anywhere else. But the Department of Education won't allow it; they say language schools can't run courses during regular school hours because it would discriminate against the other students (though religion class probably doesn't count as discrimination in their eyes😬).

That's exactly what's coming my way soon. I already had one mom acting totally bewildered, like she'd seen a ghost, because her kid is getting logic puzzles and extra math work during religious education hour.

Nancy Kelly31 said:I am honestly still a bit bewildered as to which vastly different topics we are even discussing here in practice? It seems to me more a matter of perspective—what one chooses to emphasize—rather than an attempt to be contrarian. Faith and science aren't inherently at odds with one another. Rather, faith simply steps in where science reaches its limits. For instance, we know the universe began with the Big Bang, but why did that happen? Who or what "triggered" the expansion? Science doesn't provide an answer there, yet faith does...
As for Catholic schools, they are undoubtedly the future. Here in the States, the situation is already such that children are being placed on waiting lists years before they even reach kindergarten, simply because the demand far outweighs the available spots. Yet, these Catholic schools follow the exact same state curriculum as any other public institution. There are no fundamental differences in the education provided, and certainly no issues to be found...

That bolded part is honestly hilarious to me. It's unbelievable that anyone is still making that argument in the 21st century.

Faith doesn't provide answers like that. I don't know who taught you that, but back when I was in school in the early 90s, they taught us that faith means being in a constant search for answers, not that God triggered the Big Bang.

rowdypanther12 said:Honestly, it kind of scares me. At least here, kids are actually getting information based on science. I can't help but worry about seeing generations upon generations of people who have been totally indoctrinated.

Do you have any idea how many of my friends who are religious—but specifically stay far away from the current fundamentalist Catholic dogma—would actually enroll their kids in those types of schools?

Absolutely none. I know I wouldn't.

I was being a little sarcastic there, honestly. People say even at that Salesian school over by Central Park, they aren't exactly teaching that Bog created man in an hour during a social studies class; they teach the same math everyone else does, and I assume they'll stick to scientifically proven facts too. Besides, look at private schools in the US—they have such a reputation for excellence that plenty of wealthy families with non-religious kids send them there just for the top-tier education.

Nancy Kelly31 said:Personally, I find it quite troubling to hold such prejudices against highly educated professionals—to assume they wouldn't be able to perform their paid duties professionally simply because of their personal beliefs, whether that involves civic education or any other subject. But fine, it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. I also fail to see how preventing religious instructors from being homeroom teachers would somehow fix the scheduling issues or the logistical headache of where to place religious studies on the timetable. I am certainly in favor of those changes, absolutely, but I doubt that changing the homeroom status is the magic solution to everything...🤷

It seems to me that a religious instructor cannot effectively serve as a homeroom teacher if not all students are attending those classes. Perhaps I am mistaken, of course. And even if I am, it ultimately comes down to the school's organizational structure and what exactly the expectations are for these instructors...

In my opinion, the only fair way to handle this is to move religious education entirely outside of the standard school day. Treat it like an after-school program—just like judo, or language classes, or any other elective that happens outside of regular instruction.

I’d also love to see the Church start opening its own private schools. That way, families who live by their faith and want their kids to stay connected to it can send them there without disrupting the secular framework of the society we all live in.

Bog knows the Church has the money, the staff, and the resources to do it, right?

Given that about 90 percent of American parents are basically digitally illiterate—and I mean that, they just don't know how to filter information or set screen time limits—it’s a real problem. Most of them can't even handle basic computer operations either. I think I read somewhere that over 80 percent of adults wouldn't even know how to use a keyboard if their mouse died; they have no clue how to actually give a computer commands without a cursor. Instead, they just let their kids sit in front of a screen playing mindless games or whatever junk pops up. Because of that, I am a huge advocate for teaching computer science starting in elementary school. Kids need to understand what a computer actually is, how it works, what the internet truly entails, and most importantly, how to protect themselves online. We can't ignore how widespread and dangerous cyberbullying has become, but we could prevent so much of it if we started educating them from the beginning. Let's be honest: there are kids out there who have been glued to tablets and electronic devices since they were one year old. Do people honestly think those children have any idea what they're actually doing?

Brian Barnes5 said:Honestly, I’m starting to think I totally missed the mark there. I really didn't want it to come off like I was being dismissive, you know? Like, out of twenty different people, I only managed to recall one single name... which feels a bit silly. 🕺 Plus, they're super into drawing—like, they spend a ton of time sketching all sorts of things.
I realize this is just the very first step out of a billion tiny tasks ahead, but I really want to kick things off the right way, finding that sweet spot where they feel totally independent but still know I've always got their back.

The assignment was for HIM to draw characters from the play. It definitely didn't say he had to draw every single person in it.

He drew the ones he wanted to draw, not the ones you thought he should pick just so he wouldn't look clueless. He isn't clueless.

You basically projected your own assumptions onto your kid about what he "should" remember just so he doesn't come across as a failure.

And you say you want HIM to start off right, but you don't want to accidentally crush his independence or tank his self-esteem just because he isn't meeting your specific standards.

That’s how it reads, anyway. It probably isn't what you meant, but maybe take a second to step back and really look at how you phrased that.

Benjamin Nelson8 said:Maya, mine could easily stay in after-school care until we pick him up at 4:30, but he’s still over at the daycare center... and honestly, he hasn't been in the after-school program since 3rd grade.

He was there almost all summer, basically all day long.

I went through the exact same thought process as you and really hesitated, but I ultimately decided on the daycare center. They actually get things sorted out there, they'll explain things again if someone is confused, and the kids can just play; besides, after-school care is his absolute favorite part of the school day.

So, my teacher pulled me aside this morning and mentioned that I really need to sit down and have a talk with him. She said he’s just... not really feeling the schoolwork lately, and that he's being incredibly difficult to motivate. She didn't go into a whole breakdown of what's going on, she just dropped that line on me, so I’m planning to try and gently nudge some answers out of him later today. It’s kind of confusing, though, because looking at his notebooks, everything is actually totally fine—all the assignments are done and there isn't anything missing. And get this: his after-school program instructor told me yesterday around 3:10 PM that while everyone else was still grinding away at their desks, he was already completely finished just sitting there waiting for the rest of the class to catch up. She even added that he’s got a real sense of self and a really great imagination when it comes to art. But then, when it comes to his social studies work? There’s absolutely nothing written down. It's such a weird mix of things.

I was just looking over his homework—you know, that assignment where they have to color in a butterfly—and I honestly had to do a double take at how he actually finished it. I’d already written him off, thinking he’d just scribble all over it with two random colors and call it a day while waiting for everyone else to wrap up. But nope, he actually sat there and did it properly.

I’ve gone through the rest of it—everything looks solid. All the checkmarks are there, the ratios are spot on, the assignments are completed, and I don't see any signs of anything being erased or tampered with. Usually, we just handle all this stuff ourselves at home, right at the school level.

It feels like everyone is talking about it lately. I can even hear the teacher reminding the whole class every single morning that they need to stop chatting during lessons. I try to have these little talks with him every day, you know? Since he wants to be a game developer one day, I’ll frame it around that—telling him he won't make it in that industry if he can't focus and actually listen to instructions. It's just one of those things... I wonder if I'm approaching this the wrong way? Then yesterday, his classmate's mom called me. She mentioned that all the kids actually want to sit near him. He told me himself that whenever the teacher reshuffles the seating chart, people always try to talk to him. Honestly, he says he's usually pretty quiet, but he does feel like he has to speak up sometimes when someone directs something at him.

I don’t even know how I’m going to come across here—whether people think I’m being dense, slow, or just some sensitive crybaby—but my kid has been this incredibly withdrawn soul since the day he was born. I’ve actually posted on here before about how I totally messed up by being way too authoritarian with him. It took me years to realize that, and even longer to try and fix it—trying to wake up his inner voice, build up some actual self-confidence, and help him find his own identity and willpower. I’ve always tried to teach him that having a strong sense of self shouldn't mean steamrolling over everyone else (which, honestly, has always been my biggest struggle). He never really knew how to stand up for himself growing up, and he ended up being a target for bullying. But then, around the time he was five and started preschool, everything just shifted. He has this amazing little circle of friends who genuinely adore him. Everyone just gravitates toward him when he walks in. He’s never been the "leader" type, if you know what I mean... he’s just someone who is deeply, naturally loved. I don't quite know how to put it into words.

I’m terrified. Honestly, I am just paralyzed by this fear that I’m going to screw everything up again. I’m scared that if I try to fix my mistakes now, I’ll end up sabotaging his progress. I have this sinking feeling that the sheer structure of our lives—the constant pace, having a rigid schedule nearly every single day—is going to strip away everything we’ve worked so hard to build. It feels like the momentum of life is just going to pull him right back into that shell. Right now, he’s staying with us for a week at a time—maybe until the 15th, or maybe the 16th if I pick up extra shifts. We’re living out of bags, packing everything up for the next day, grabbing gear for training... we don't have any breathing room. He doesn't get home until almost 7:30, eats, and then just collapses into bed. And I’m doing the exact same thing for my brother, too. It’s just constant.

Please bear with me while I dive into this epic saga about my kid. I honestly rarely feel the need to write like this, but I’ve found so much support here whenever I’ve come looking for help with my own fears and anxieties. I'm just hoping that maybe someone out there can relate to how I'm feeling right now.

Mandy, thank you. Honestly, I’m just glad someone finally had the guts to call out that whole boarding school thing. It feels like this endless grind—like they’re just trying to turn kids into cogs in a machine from day one. You start teaching them what's coming before they even know who they are. And that whole social aspect? It’s all just rigid structure and constant supervision. There's no sense of self, just forced socialization over and over again. Maybe I’ve just been reading too much lately... or maybe I'm finally seeing things clearly.

I was actually thinking about toning things down here, especially since I realized there’s already a thread about 😁

Looking at my own situation—and this is purely my own take—there are some real benefits: having that freedom once we hit that 4.5-hour mark; the sense of responsibility that comes with it (which I think is actually good for him); being independent; building up that mutual trust; letting his imagination run wild during solo playtime at home (no TV or screens needed, there are better ways to handle that); just letting him hang out with a buddy from school around the apartment complex (they're in the same grade, and he doesn't go to after-school care anyway); plus, avoiding those endless hours stuck in an institutional setting (honestly, that would probably wear me down too)...

I don't know, it just feels like way too much time spent in a structured, institutional environment. If I look at it philosophically, it feels like a lack of personal agency and freedom, a way to stifle independence and the ability to actually think through the consequences of one's own choices (not that I think kids should be shielded from learning those lessons)

He still goes to practice three or four times a week from 6 to 7 PM because he needs it for physical health, but when you add all this up, it feels like way too much structure. It's just too much constant social interaction, too many kids, too much noise... I don't even know if I'm explaining well enough how much this weighs on me.

I really feel like he needs some quiet time to himself to work on self-acceptance and introspection. I know that back when I was his age, that was such a vital need for me—just being alone with my own thoughts. I realize times have changed, but still...

I’m seriously considering pulling my kid out of after-school care. I honestly don't see the upside anymore. He’s become quite independent, and I have this nagging feeling that being there is just way too much for him.

And you can't even compare it to daycare or preschool. For them, preschool was actually a huge drag—it was such a bad setup given how school works. The teachers aren't really aware that they haven't done anything structured with the kids, so they struggle when they suddenly need to sit still and follow a routine. It's not even the teachers' fault, though; our local district teachers are actually great and incredibly patient. I feel totally solid about her.

But this thought is just starting to sink in, and it's constantly playing on loop in my head... Could he manage being home alone for a bit after school? If he's on the early shift, he'd be waiting for me until 2 PM. I might try to work with a colleague to switch to just morning shifts. With the winter days getting shorter, I can't pick him up before 3 PM, and I really don't want him sitting in after-school care if all they do from 2 to 3 is homework.

I know this is a pretty quick turnaround for such a big decision, and I'll probably be reading back on this in a few months thinking I was either completely crazy or absolutely right.

He seems fine with everything, but he isn't the type to really speak up about what he wants—unless it's his total refusal to attend religious ed classes. He hasn't really complained for months, and they do ask him to express himself, but he just doesn't.

Are there any other moms here who let their first graders stay home for a couple of hours after school? My job is super close—just five minutes from both home and the school.

Has anyone else ever had these mixed feelings about after-school programs?

Am I losing it, Lastane? (Honestly, I'm tearing up right now, thanks PMS)

Susan Nguyen54 said:Hey everyone :-) This might be a bit off-topic, but I just need to vent for a second.
My kid has had straight A's through first and second grade and is always on their best behavior, yet they haven't received a single award or certificate... I still keep all of mine tucked away in my files; seeing them always brings a smile to my face. It honestly breaks my heart that schools deprive kids of that kind of recognition. At our local elementary school, apparently the rule is that you only get an honor roll certificate at the end of fourth grade if you've maintained perfect grades the whole time. Personally, I think a little win in first or second grade means way more to a child than some big certificate when they're already heading toward middle school.

Why not just make one yourself? There's no harm in it.

On another note, I really agree with wanderinggardener12, especially regarding the constant repetition of the exact same tasks without any room for creativity. Then, to top it all off, these kids go home and are told they can't complain, they can't express themselves, and they aren't allowed to say if something is boring.

Then you look at the preschool side of things, where kids are basically spoiled with total freedom. They spend most of their time just coloring and drawing over and over again. Then comes the shock when they hit elementary school—they have zero sense of structure or focused work.

Like everything else, I think the "golden mean" is the best way to find success. We need to find a balance that encourages structured assignments where everyone participates equally—teaching responsibility and building stamina—while also fostering creativity, allowing for downtime, and teaching practical skills that nurture free expression and spirit.

The issue is that achieving that takes actual effort. It’s much easier to just sit back and do the bare minimum, blaming "kids these days" or "parents these days." Sure, there are issues there, but there are professionals out there who know how to bring out the absolute best in a child. How do they do it? Well, giving up has become a widespread epidemic in our society, and unfortunately, it seems some people in this profession are part of that trend too.

wanderinggardener12 said:First off, these academic competitions are setting a terrible precedent. I wouldn’t be against them if they actually involved the entire class—say, at least 75% of the students from a single grade level participating together.
Secondly, having a high school graduation exam that focuses solely on English, math, and a first foreign language really calls the importance of every other subject into question. Even as an English teacher myself, I don't see why my subject should be elevated to one of the three pillars of such an assessment. That said, once you get to college, everyone should certainly be required to pass basic grammar, spelling, and stylistics. Beyond that, these exams don't test oral communication at all. Reading comprehension is just tucked away as part of literature requirements, which is frankly useless for most university programs.
Thirdly, we should have standardized state exams throughout middle and high school under controlled conditions, rather than dumping everything into one massive, high-stress final exam. These tests ought to serve as feedback for both the schools and the teachers, providing students with scores they could actually use—perhaps by selecting their eight best exam results in a specific subject to qualify for further education.
Fourth, a teacher's or a school's grading system shouldn't be reduced to a single exam or limited to just one graduating class. Looking at a few snapshots of instruction tells you nothing; anyone can design two perfect lesson plans. And don't even get me started on how much administrative paperwork says about actual quality.
Fifth, the current teaching methodologies for various subjects are completely incapable of assessing functional abilities. The real issue lies in the failure to measure baseline versus end-of-year results, yet nobody seems to want to talk about that. The only field where this measurement is clear and unambiguous is in physical education, simply because they have a stopwatch.
I could go on, but I honestly don't have the energy.

Please, keep going, because this is honestly the most sensible thing I’ve read on this topic. We desperately lack concrete improvements, real proposals, and an actual identification of the problems within our education system.

And I am so glad to see this coming from an American literature teacher. As much as it's a core subject, so many people actually degrade it, treating it like an afterthought that everyone is just supposed to know, or just a chore involving reading boring books.

It’s also true that speaking assessments aren't performed; expression is limited to writing or testing someone on the plot of a book. There’s no verbal expression, no poetic speech, no vocabulary expansion through vocalization, and debates are rare—even if my colleagues don't bring them up.

Could you share some thoughts on assessing functional abilities? For instance, in your own subject, how do you gauge them at a functional level beyond just basic writing, if you know what I mean?

How much field-based learning is actually represented in our schools? For example, do you ever have the chance to read a book and simultaneously visit locations mentioned in it nearby? In a place like Washington, D.C., there are endless landmarks, but there are plenty of sites all across America too.

What’s the deal with this new reform? Are you involved in it, what’s your take, and do you think it’ll actually work? Has it even started yet?

Isn't it actually better to get dyslexia and dysgraphia diagnosed as early as possible so we can actually see better results?

I wouldn't just brush an observation like that aside. There's absolutely no shame in it, and I certainly hope teachers aren't such idiots that they go tossing diagnoses around like candy just because they feel like messing around :jivivaljdaubajci:

We aren't even talking about kids with special needs here; we're talking about the 80 percent of healthy kids for whom this curriculum was designed. They should be perfectly capable of mastering the material on their own—that’s literally what education is for.

urbantinker8, I don't think anyone is suggesting we act indifferent or take an "I don't give a damn" attitude. There are much better ways to help than just staring intensely at a first-grader's homework or textbooks. I'm thinking of more creative, almost out-of-the-box things—like practicing simple poems or breaking down syllables through play while you're out driving in the van. You could point out different trees, talk about spring flowers, discuss environmental conservation, or recycling. Or even just counting change while a cashier rings up your groceries. It's those kinds of things you can easily weave into everyday life.

And just ask them how their day went, or if they learned anything new...

Though... honestly, maybe we should even let those questions slide sometimes right after they get home. Just give them some downtime to decompress, let them do whatever they want, climb trees, and just be kids.

urbantinker8 said:Did I actually say somewhere that you need to know every single second of what they're doing?🤷
As far as I can recall, I didn't even suggest you had to go through every individual lesson, heaven forbid.

This is more about having a general attitude toward school or daycare.

If a child sees that you aren't interested in what they're learning at all, and you have zero desire to help them with their homework—and let's be honest, there are plenty of parents out there who couldn't care less, especially on weekends when the textbooks are basically just cluttering up the house—and if you treat school like it's some sort of necessary evil, then obviously they aren't going to be interested either.
That's where all the negativity toward school starts, I guess.
In first grade, it might not seem like a huge deal, but looking at things long-term... it probably is.

Look, I’m pretty wealthy, so I make it a point to really talk to my kid about everything he's up to. Whether I'm just catching up with him or sitting there at his soccer practice, I always find a way to pull him aside and ask how his day actually went.

It’s not like nobody’s going to care. Let’s be honest, we’re all just a bunch of curious women hanging out here, aren't we? That's exactly what this forum is for—for curious women. ☕

Look, my advice? Just try to handle it on your own first. Figure out what you can, do what you know how to do. And hey, if you need to have a good cry? Go for it. Seriously. There’s nothing wrong with that. I always say, crying actually helps you grow—plus, it’s a great way to stay hydrated. 😁 Of course I’m going to be there for you if you ask. I'll listen to whatever is on your mind, hear how your day went, and really dive into how school was treating you.

Control and correct? Yeah, absolutely not. No fucking way.

Karen Richardson3 said:And let's not even get started on the fact that, given how incredibly low literacy levels have become among Americans lately, there's honestly no way more than 5% of parents could even correct homework that requires actual writing.
When it comes to math, things are slightly better—I think most people can handle basic addition and subtraction—but the majority, say, don't really know how to divide without reaching for a calculator, right?

So yeah... I don't really know what to make of any of this. In principle, I agree that a kid starting school needs some supervision at first, especially if they're, I don't know, let's call them "irresponsible" types.

But I'm curious to hear from parents with school-aged kids—how many of you just stop hovering after the first grade? Because everyone uses that same old excuse: "Oh, they're just little first-graders, they're so small and sweet and need help navigating this cruel world."
In reality, though, the parents I know are still keeping tabs on their kids even through high school.
Just recently, my wife was complaining about spending her entire weekend studying alongside the kids. Our daughter is a freshman in prep school (meaning she finished middle school as an honors student), and she tells me, "Thank goodness Dad still remembers his chemistry and physics."
Now, I tend to love making generalizations, so I pretty much consider all those parents idiots.
Since they're politically active too, I see them as a perfect example of why this country is the mess it is.

edit: we're drifting off-topic here; I think this whole thing should stay under "grades for first graders." Or maybe it's "studying with kids," since we seem to veer into off-topic territory about that every five minutes. 😁

Laughing Man, Daisy, you just described my absolute worst nightmare. Honestly, I think I once had a dream where I spent an entire weekend tutoring a high schooler.🤣

I also think we need a new thread, but it isn't easy not to bring this up when discussing what staying at home means.

Kate Morgan14 said:Look, you can't exactly expect a first grader to be fully independent—it’s just not realistic. They need time to adjust to the routine and find their footing... In my house, my kid still asks for help when a problem doesn't make sense. If I see she’s made a mistake, I'll step in, point out the error, and explain the reasoning behind it. Plus, let's be honest—teachers aren't always checking every single assignment they hand out anyway.

Given how things work in first grade, this should actually be illegal.

I remember back in the day, we used to go through assignments together in class—one student would be at the chalkboard, another would be presenting, and the teacher would rotate through them while monitoring.

Independence is something kids should strive for, and they *must* have it if the work is actually leveled correctly for them. Sure, you can step in if they are truly, genuinely struggling, but you have to give them the space to figure it out on their own first.

Checking homework... I’m just not really following the logic here.

I mean, sure, if a kid doesn't know an answer, they should show it. But checking it just to correct it on the spot?

Isn't a teacher's actual job to grade the work? Isn't the whole point of learning to make mistakes, then getting constructive feedback from the instructor who assigned the task in the first place?

And honestly, I don't see the sense in leaving their backpack behind either. Our kid will be bringing their bag home with them; let them pack what they need every morning. It gives them that mindset that they're actually heading to school, not just going on some field trip.

casualmoose14 said:Oh my God, if she isn't telling the truth, nothing moved... I felt absolutely terrible when I first got home from the hospital. I couldn't even hold my head up straight because of the epidural, the dizziness was just unreal. My mom actually had to practically bribe me for an entire day just to get me to eat a single bowl of soup.
After about two weeks, my stomach felt so constricted that even four spoonfuls of soup was way too much. I was basically living on pills... one for the headache, one for my back, and one for hemorrhoids!

So there you have it. Now we finally know the truth—you guys stay so thin just because you're constantly popping pills.😁

casualmoose14 said:Honestly, after I gave birth, I felt like I’d been run over by six semi-trucks in a row. I wasn't just tired; I was completely wiped out—like I had been physically torn apart. It sounds dramatic, but that’s really how it felt. I was just dead on my feet. It took about six months of recovery before I finally started feeling like myself again. But even now, there's one thing I've noticed... my bladder just isn't what it used to be. If I get a sudden, intense urge to go to the bathroom, sometimes I can't even make it to the toilet before things slip away from me. It's definitely something I'm still dealing with.🤦That thing? It never happened to me... at least not before I had the baby.

Honestly, if there’s one silver lining to feeling like absolute garbage after giving birth, it’s that I managed to polish off a massive pot of soup within two months... and somehow, I actually melted away every single one of those 20 pounds I put on during pregnancy!

Come on, don't try to lie to this crazy bunch of people—this whole thing is nothing but a blatant lie. 🤣

Bladder issues... I was told it’s because of the catheter and that there might be some kind of surgery involved. Even doing my Kegels isn't helping at all.

Susan James said:Just wanted to bump this thread, I stumbled upon this article

It covers a recent education reform over in Denmark. I actually really love what they're saying here, though I have to admit I’m a bit skeptical about whether something like this could ever fly here in the States 😢. It feels like such a different approach to how we handle things locally
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In the Danish-founded school system, they have a preschool year (Grade 0), followed by nine years of primary school (Grades 1–9), and then a tenth grade. One thing that really caught my eye is that they don't actually use traditional grades until the 7th grade. Instead, teachers constantly monitor their students, providing continuous feedback on their progress, skill levels, and knowledge, along with practical guidance to help them plan and organize their learning.

rowdypanther12, I wouldn't call it a "mentality" issue. To be honest, I think mindset is heavily tied to a country's GDP—trust me on this. When people have a solid quality of life and their basic needs are met, there's actually room to focus on improving education. That's just how it looks to me. A person who feels secure is much more likely to embrace new ideas or even try to reflect on spiritual or intellectual growth. On the flip side, a society that feels constantly dissatisfied tends to breed fundamentalism and radicalism. It leads to people retreating into these traditionally distorted viewpoints where no progress happens... unless you get a revolution, which is usually pretty bloody.

Given how far our own society has fallen and how much rot there is in every single corner of it, this kind of thing feels like a total utopia.

I am literally falling apart...

Every single month it’s something different. One minute it’s joint pain, then my teeth, my thyroid, then the water retention, Candida, and that E. coli that just keeps coming back. My skin, my bones, my hair is falling out in massive clumps, and my immune system is basically non-existent...

+ does anyone else get pain at the epidural injection site? Because it’s absolutely killing me...

I’ve finally stopped breastfeeding, I’m back at judo, and I’m just praying for some kind of recovery.

Oh, and magnesium, calcium, iron... none of it is doing a damn thing.