Mom sends bold email to kindergarten teacher over giving 20-page double-sided homework on first day of school

Homework has slowly started losing its value for the current generation. Most of them are either too burdened with studies or with co-curricular activities whereas a section of new-age kids simply browse the internet to finish their homework. So when a mom from Arizona noticed that her kindergartener son was given an unreasonable amount of homework, she knew she had to take a step. Cayley (@cayleyxo on TikTok) took to the social media platform to vent out her worries in a video. She explained that her son's kindergarten teacher gave him a 15-20-page double-sided August homework packet on just the first day of school. 

"I sent my son's kindergarten teacher a cutesy little email saying, 'I'm sorry. Based on the stress, mental, physical anxiety it's causing my kid, we are done,'" the mom explained in the TikTok. Her stressed-out son got some help from his mom who was aiding him to finish his tasks faster. But they both gave up on it soon. "It was an emotional mess. I felt so guilty dropping him off at school," she recalled. "He didn’t want to be there. For the last two weeks, he told me he doesn’t even like school and doesn’t want to be there anymore, which hurts my mama's heart because you’re 5. The only thing you should be worrying about is learning and what time snack time is. Work to live, we don’t live to work."

Ever since Cayley posted her video, she received more than 250,000 views and thousands of comments on her video. Many teachers and parents came forward to comment on this situation and shared their views on the homework load given to kids nowadays. @jellybear003 commented, "Homework serves a purpose, it’s so the teacher can see if the kid is understanding what they learn in class and also for the parent to see what their child may be struggling in. It’s also to practice normally 30 sheets for the entire month. Highly doubt that the teacher expected 30 sheets done in a week." 

@sandraahernz suggested, "Also sometimes as humans, we hate things because we aren’t good at or are having trouble You’re saying it’s ok to give up because it’s hard or too much. Instead, seek strategies or transition, so maybe talk to the teacher about less or more time or other options for your child. Different times for sure!" @becca_ramon added, "Kindergarten teacher here- it’s normal for kids to not like school the first couple of weeks even months! It’s a big adjustment, especially for kids who have never been to preschool or away from their parents. Hang in there, Mama. He’ll love it once he starts to make friends. As for homework, I agree with you. I never sent home homework unless parents specifically asked me and I always let them know it was optional. I did, however, tell parents to read a book to their child every day so that was their only 'homework.'"

In a follow-up video, the mom shared that after she sent out that email, the teacher reduced the homework to one page. She also gave some interactive assignments like keeping a reading log and practicing sight words. "I told her I would be up for meeting in the middle and working as a team because that is what we’re here for — the benefit of our children," Cayley told her viewers. "This is your sign to maybe say something to your teacher, nicely and politely, if something doesn’t sit right with you at their school."

You can follow Cayley (@cayleyxo) on TikTok for more content on parenting and lifestyle.