When my kids were younger, I thought the amount of homework the top students were doing in high school was ridiculous.
Then my own kids entered middle school, and at age 11 started regularly staying up until midnight to finish homework.
It wasn’t just ridiculous; it was insane.
Even though our kids consistently perform at the top of their class, to try to moderate their workload we started experimenting with not allowing them to take all preAP and AP classes, mixing in “on-level” classes. But when your kids do have the intelligence to tackle the most “rigorous classes,” everyone will tell you that if you don’t take all AP classes your class rank will suffer and you won’t get into a “good” college.
No parent ever wants to hurt their kids’ chances for success.
So I started researching and talking to other parents. I can research just about anything to the smallest detail, but I’m always skeptical of any of my findings. I was really lucky, and had some parents of older teens who were wiling to share their experience with getting their kids into college and about the real cost.
It’s only when research and first and second-hand experiences start lining up that I know that I’m close to finding the truth.
I realized that not every parent has others that are willing to share their experiences so honestly. And it can be hard to do a lot of research. So I started this blog to try to share with other parents what’s really required to get into a good college, what the lack of sleep and stress is doing to our children and teens, and most of all, researching what it really takes to be successful. (Hint: School doesn’t teach it to you.)
I’m still researching and learning, so I would love it if you share your own experiences with me or with everyone in the comments on this blog.
If you’re concerned about the same things, I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!
About E.S. Ivy, PhD
The mother of three, I was an over-achieving student when it was easier to be an over-achiever. I studied too much in college. I’ve edited, reviewed, and written for chemistry, biology, and physics textbooks. I have a BS in Chemistry and a PhD in biology; I’ve sent a plant biology experiment into space on the space shuttle.
Now I’m trying to figure out what it really takes to be successful (and writing about my research on this blog). You can see some of the other things I do over at the Mom Behind the Curtain – because every mom wants to be an all-powerful wizard, and at ESIvy.com you can see my children’s books that combine science and fantasy – because science really is magical!