I can't help but wonder at the absurdity of parents nowadays. I was reading an article in the forum page of yesterday's papers and a parent wrote in, in response to a story about children not getting enough sleep.
In her response, she questions the need for supplementary lessons, and suggests that schools should reduce the amount of homework issued and instead allow part of it to be done during school hours.
And, that strikes me as absurd. Doing homework in school? And then what? Bring schoolwork home to do? This whole argument strikes me as bullish and never-ending. School settles school work and the onus should be on parents in dealing with home work.
You stop sending your kid for guitar/piano/ballet/creative writing/speech and drama/singing/abacus/martial arts/cooking/art and craft/speak other languages except english/tuition lessons and the kid would definitely have enough time to complete the allocated homework articles.
It can be ironic how parents blame schools for loading so much work on kids that they have no time for childhood and family time. But seriously! Who says homework and family can't go together. Parents should chip in their share and not xiu shou pang guan, or stand at the road side, comment and criticize and not lend a helping hand.
Instead of gripping about it, and knowing nothing would change, well, nothing that immediately, parents should take the proactive step and be a part of their childrens' lives, and help them do their homework! Nah, kiddin. It'll probably be half right.
We need more pro-active parents, and being part of the PTA doesn't mean you're a very pro-active person either.
