Dear Homework, We All Despise You!

Yup, I said it. As a previous educator, everyone despises you, you evil homework! As a kid, it was the last thing I wanted to do when I got home. Now, I watch my own kids with the same battle. My daughter is the very studious child, who although is not a fan, will literally spend the entire evening making sure everything is done perfectly. While her perfection is a whole different story, we’ll save that for later. Then, there is my 16 year old nephew who often comes to my house after football. He’s freaking exhausted! The kid has nearly pulled a 10 hour day by the time he gets in the car. Does he want to do his homework? Nope, not even a little. He’s hungry, needs a shower (for everyone’s sake), and then he wants to sleep! Heck, I’m tired just thinking about it.

 Then, there is the real culprit for my disdain of homework. My 9 year old son! OMG, Houston you have a mama about to lose her ever loving mind! This ride on the struggle bus is rolling down Disaster Ave. on four flats and a head gasket that is about to blow!

 Like any decent mom when we get home the boy child gets a snack and is given a little down time. Shortly after, I have his work area set up for him: folder, pencil, big pink eraser, and the dang papers are out for him. Side note: my mama wouldn’t have been caught doing this level of hand holding for me, but I’m trying to win the war here not a single battle.  As soon as his scrawny tail has managed to complete his Emmy worthy sloth impression to the table is when it all begins. “My head hurts. My stomach hurts. Ouch! Oh, my thumb!” At this point I’m waiting for the day that he tells me his hair follicle is paralyzed. However, I must persist. We will finish this homework if it kills us both. What should’ve been the equivalent of a brisk walk to the mailbox, now has both of us looking like we have been through some serious psychological torture (slight exaggeration, but this is how it feels). We did it though, we finished that dang homework. We made that homework our….oh wait…that thought might be a little too inappropriate.

Now, time for dinner, showers, and loving bedtime stories. At least, that is the dream I paint in my head everyday. While all of those things may get done, sometimes the loving part is through gritted teeth. So, yes homework I despise you, my kids despise you, and as a teacher I despised checking you then too! Seriously y’all, this can’t be helping anyone!