Kids at youth group this week doing homework
I often tell my kids....I hate homework. Let me tell you why...my kids get on the bus at 7:15 and return at 4:15. That's 9 hours...9! So between 4:15 and bedtime that leaves us as a family about 4.5 hours depending on which kid you're talking about. We eat dinner together, spend some family time together and just about everyday there is homework. I don't mind studying for spelling or doing a quick worksheet. But there are days that the kids can spend the entire evening working on a project for school. I want so bad to show up at the school one day and go to the office and say, "I'm here to get my kids we are going to go outside and shoot some hoops. When we are done they can go back to class." But I don't, they would be embarrassed and I'm sure the school wouldn't allow that. I feel that if school cuts into our family time it is only fair I get to cut into their time. After all they only get my kids for 9 hours a day.
All that being said, I want my kids to learn that Jesus comes first. Serving in the church, spending time with their family and friends is way more important than math homework. It's easy for me to say this knowing all my kids are super smart and are honor roll students. Now don't get me wrong!! This is not a jab at all those wonderful teachers pouring their hearts into our kids, or is it about their commitment to teaching them. For that I am extremely grateful. For their influence, for their skill, for their investment....I wouldn't trade that for anything. I applaud that!! This is just my gripe about homework. I hate homework!
A prayer: Lord, help us as a family to keep the proper balance so our children grow up loving You and wanting to keep You #1 in their lives. Help them as they grow to know that You should be first. First before school, work, relationships, and just goofing off. Help us to model this in front of them so that when they grow up, move out and start their own families they will choose to get up on a warm, sunny Sunday morning and take their families to worship You at church.
2 comments:
I'm with you - ick to homework. And I think there are a lot of kids who have way too much of it way too young. Truly, hands down, the thing I love most about adulthood is that when I leave my 9 hour day job - I LEAVE it. My evening is mine and I can do whatever I want. People ask me if I plan to go to grad school...whatever for? That's just more homework!
I'm glad you push your kids to spend time in church (as if they have a choice...ha!) despite busyness. It's a great thing to teach them. My parents' rule was always that Sunday is a day of rest with no homework allowed - no WORK allowed. And that is something I've kept and I love it. So they're learning more from you than they want to admit!
"I'm gonna have to ask you to go ahead and write me an essay about why education is important, mmkay? That's a minimum of 500 words and it's due first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks."
Just kidding!
I would love it if fathers came to my school and took thier kids away for an hour or two. That would be awesome for the kids and give me a break! It's too bad that a lot of those fathers are "locked up" or "unknown." :(
-Sarah
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