This is kind of a companion post to our Special Needs' blogger's recent post on homework. We have our own homework struggles in this house involving my older, school-aged son, but I think it's due to the beginning-of-school ya yas and the transition from our lazy summer schedule to our current more scheduled schedule.

But I am wondering how people feel about putting pressure on kids to do well in school. How much pressure is too much? Should pressure to do well come from the parents or should it be intrinsic? Should kids be expected to do their best, or should they be expected to get a 100? What if the parents think 100% is attainable but the kid consistently falls short?

Here's the recent experience that's gotten me thinking about this. My older son just started 2nd grade in a new school. At his old school he was well-liked, adored by his teacher, perfectly behaved, and given enrichment math because he was advanced. I know, I know, it sounds like I'm the big braggy mom but I am telling the truth.

New school year, new teacher, kid is acting slightly different. For one, he's not as perfectly behaved as he was last year. They're really minor infractions and the only reason I know about them is because he tells me, but still - he's changed a little bit. I am actually a little relieved about that as last year it got a little ridiculous at the end with all the pressure he'd put on himself.

The other thing that's going on, and the part that I'm struggling with, is that he's had a couple of spelling tests and he's not gotten 100%. I know he could if only he studied a little more. This week he is studying more and I am making him take mock quizzes to see if he knows the words. If he doesn't he has to write them over and over.

Is this too much? Am I being a crazy mommy? Maybe I should just have him do his regular homework (which is pathetically easy - a whole 'nother blog entry on that) and if he learns the words, good, if not, not good? I guess I just think he has the potential to get 100%, so he should. But it's also not on me...or is it? He's only in 2nd grade. If it were up to him he'd come home, eat a lot of sugar, and either watch TV or play with his friends until dinner time.

His dad and I were both the oldest in our families and we both did really hard in school. I want him to like school but I want him to do well. We told him that...but he's also just a kid!

Sigh. Being a parent is hard!

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