The role of homework has evolved over time, transforming from a tool to reinforce classroom learning and foster responsibility into a battleground for many families. While parental involvement remains crucial for a child's academic success, the act of assisting with homework has become a significant source of stress for parents. I was reminded of a story I came across some time ago about a mother who suffered a stroke while trying to help her son with his assignments. Despite her best efforts to explain the concepts, her son struggled to grasp them, leaving her frustrated and desperate for help. She turned to his brother for assistance, but even he couldn't make it click. It turns out, this mother's experience was not an isolated incident.
Oddity Central reported that many Chinese parents were also expressing heart attacks and strokes over the overwhelming stress of helping their children study. And this wasn’t the first time a story like that made headlines as other mothers on different times experienced stroke because their efforts in helping their children with their homework was futile. Health experts agree that women are particularly susceptible to experiencing these types of health issues due to the constant pressures they face in their daily lives. Juggling work, household responsibilities, and societal expectations can leave them in a perpetual state of stress and anxiety. As if that weren't enough, the added burden of helping their children with homework only adds to the already overwhelming list of stressors they endure.
Many parents struggle to help their children study for many reasons. One of the main reasons being parents lacking a firm understanding of the subject matter themselves. Moreover, the dynamic nature of educational curriculum and teaching techniques can leave parents feeling disconnected. Educational practices are constantly evolving, and what parents learned during their own schooling may not align perfectly with their child's current curriculum. This disparity in knowledge can create a considerable amount of stress as parents grapple with explaining concepts or resort to ineffective memorization methods that may not cater to their child's unique learning style.
Whenever the topic of children arises in conversations with family friends, they often inquire about whether I am teaching my kids English and basic preschool knowledge to prepare them for school. Then they proceed to ask me about my plans for enrolling my children. This situation causes me anxiety because, to be honest, I haven't been doing much in that regard. The main reason is that I am constantly exhausted, and it feels like there are never enough hours in the day for me to accomplish everything. I am perplexed by how people manage to handle their responsibilities in today's fast-paced world.
Whenever I find myself in a taxi, my mind immediately starts to wander, envisioning all the productive things I could do once I'm back home. I create elaborate plans in my head, promising myself that I will spend quality time with my children, focus on personal growth and learning, and become a well-rounded individual. However, reality often has a different agenda. Once I'm finally home and have spent some time with my kids, exhaustion takes over and I find myself yearning for sleep or mindlessly scrolling through TikTok. Even though I try not to spend too much time on the platform, an hour can feel like an eternity. It's worth mentioning that TikTok can actually be a valuable source of knowledge and learning, depending on how it's used. Nevertheless, by the end of the day, I can't help but feel like I haven't accomplished much. The thought of my children not surpassing my educational achievements fills me with concern, knowing the sacrifices my family made to provide me with a good education. Many of us are familiar with anecdotes about parents who managed to raise successful scholars despite not excelling in their own education. Like any parent, I want my children to excel in every aspect of life. Unfortunately, this constant overthinking and pressure leaves me mentally drained.
It's truly remarkable how our partners and their parents used to handle all the household chores without the convenience of modern appliances like washing machines, stoves, ovens, and dishwashers. Nowadays, our lives have become much simpler with these advancements, yet it feels like we're not accomplishing as much. Our parents made sure we completed our homework, and if it became overwhelming for them, they would seek help from neighbors or acquaintances nearby. If that wasn't possible, they would hire a tutor or pay for after-school tutoring to ensure we understood the subjects we were learning. On top of that, they cooked our meals, washed our clothes, and provided for us in every possible way. They even found time to assist neighbors in preparing meals for special occasions, attending funerals, and participating in various social events.
I can't recall having any household help until I finished high school. It was my mother, grandmother, and aunt who took care of everything. However, fast forward a decade, and it seems that many people nowadays have household help. Interestingly, many of them complain about not having enough time to do the things they truly want to do. It made me wonder if the older generation was made differently. Allow me to wrap up by conveying my profound reverence and appreciation for each parent who has nurtured their offspring to embody refinement, knowledge, and accountability, all the while preserving their own mental composure. Bravo to you!