Parental Busywork

Over the summer I've had the opportunity to talk to some friends and answer some surveys about my concerns about the state of education.  Generally, I have expressed concern for the lack of parental involvement and the need for parents to become more involved with their children's schooling.  Yesterday I came to the realization that what I have been understanding "parental involvement" to be is actually different than what others are promoting.

While it is obvious as a homeschool mom that I believe that a parent can teach her own children, I understand that this isn't the generally preferred method of educating a child.  But sending one's child away for school should not equate to being free from helping that child learn the things that are being taught at school (or in some cases, unlearning).

I have come to understand that for a significant number of people, parental involvement means bringing cookies to the classroom rather than knowing what the child is learning or how they are doing in their studies.  (This realization came as quite a shock to someone who is involved or aware of each step her child is making).

I am not discouraging parents from taking cookies to their children's classes.  I am encouraging parents to see what their children are learning and if they don't remember from their own childhoods' what it is their children are learning to learn it with them.  I am encouraging parents to do more than busywork that gives the illusion of being involved in their children's lives and truly know what their children are learning in and out of the classroom, how they spend their time at school, what things they talk about with their friends.

If helping your child with homework is a frightening prospect, realize that it is just a reason to be with your child after being separated for hours during the day.  If talking to your children about what they are doing at school sounds like a time consuming activity, realize that it is and it is meant to be so that your child, your precious child, will have the opportunity to learn from you how to deal with the situations at school, how to be a good listener,  how to be a grown up.