“Children need downtime after school the same way adults need downtime after work. They need to play with their siblings. They need to bond with their parents in a relaxed atmosphere, not one where everyone is stressed about fractions because – SURPRISE – I’m not a teacher. Children need time to just enjoy their childhoods or is that just for the weekends (although we do homework on Sundays also).”
Bunmi declares again, “my kid is all done with homework,” before admitting her own concern for the future. “If the school wants to punish her for it, then I guess I’ll have to figure out how to homeschool.”
Bunmi Laditan
Although she works from home, balancing her work while taking on a second job of being her daughter’s teacher—among the countless duties of motherhood—would be nearly impossible.
“I’ll have to hire a tutor to help me and will need to find a group of parents doing the same thing, but I have no choice at this point.”
Like most mamas, she’s committed to doing anything necessary to help her child.
Bunmi closes her post by ensuring that she believes education is important, but academics should not consume a child’s life.
“We all want our children to grow up and succeed in the world…I don’t care if she goes to Harvard one day. I just want her to be intelligent, well-rounded, kind, inspired, charitable, spiritual and have balance in her life. I want her to be mentally and emotionally healthy. I want her to know that work is not life, it’s part of life. Work will not fulfill you. It will not keep you warm – family, friends, community, giving back, and being a good person do that.”
From now on, the Laditan’s are a homework-free household, because “my kid needs to be a kid.”
Bunmi Laditan
Bunmi wants others to know that she in no way is blaming her child’s teacher, and she values the work of all educators. It’s simply the system and expectations that are threatening her daughter’s stability.
The post has been shared over 21,000 times. Teachers and parents alike have responded with praise, agreement and full support of Bunmi’s decision to take action. Because sometimes, we have to speak up for those who can’t—especially when it comes to our children.
