Thoughts on giving school age kids a "mental health day" or giving them X days to chose to skip? Pulling them for vacation? Family event? Birthdays?

Question

In my career as a teacher I started out being what I now consider to be a complete unreasonable prick. I would assign work over the vacation as well as frown upon parent/student chosen off days. I wouldn't even give any consideration to cuts of class when the student was having personal problems (think like crying in the bathroom, family crisis, had to work, didn't have child care - yes, I've had teen parents as students, etc). I still shudder when I think that I was that awful person.

Like everything else in life I lived and I learned. I now ENCOURAGE IF NOT DEMAND students to take a day off and I tell their parents explicitly "If adults can give themselves a day off why can't kids if they're not up to it?". I realized that there is nothing going on in my classroom that is more important than the lives that they live. The entire concept of giving school work over a break is so ludicrous to me now! It's called a "break" for a fucking reason (plus HW of ANY kind has ZERO discernable statistical difference in grades, retention, class satisfaction, etc).

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

Mental Health is an important thing in a child’s life, especially disabled or mentally challenged individuals also just because it was never diagnosed professionally doesn’t mean it isn’t worth diving into.

My belief is this, children need to be taught about mental health struggles and how to cope with them. It can be mentally exhausting with all the studying, work, group projects, annoying disruptive classmates, etc. to say the least. Educate children early on that taking a break is acceptable and isn’t weakness too, so when things get really out of control they can sit down, breath, get a drink of water then get back to it once they’ve recuperated. Also get your child diagnosed because it will help them in the long run.

Thank you.

DJB72 · Accepted Answer

My wife died in October. My son is obviously devastated. He's had a few days where he wasn't emotionally capable of coping with school. He's 6.

I prioritise his mental health over his schooling so I've been summoned by the Kommandant, sorry, Vice Principal, and told if he misses more than a few days he will have to repeat the year, irrespective of his academic performance and they will have social workers come to my home to see if I'm a "fit parent."

Consequently, I'm now looking into homeschooling with a UK curriculum as we're both British but living in South Africa.

As far as social workers go, I'll do whatever it takes to know my son is safe. FROM THEM.

Socialist fucks.

NordicInScandinavia · Accepted Answer

It's situational and depends on the age of said child.

Of course children should be listened too, especially in a crisis situation, but at the same time they've to be taught that sometimes we've to do things we are not necessarily wanting to do. It's a balance, and can be taken to the extremes in both ends.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Maybe concentrate on teaching kids instead of nonsense like mental health days, pronouns and buttplugs.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

It's commendable that you've evolved your approach to recognize the importance of mental health and balanced living for students. Allowing children the opportunity to have "mental health days" acknowledges their emotional and psychological needs, which are just as essential as academic requirements. Supporting them during family events, vacations, or personal challenges shows an understanding that learning extends beyond classroom walls. Flexibility in education can foster resilience and well-being, ultimately benefiting their long-term development and success. Encouraging breaks from schoolwork during holidays reinforces the idea that rest is vital for both physical and mental rejuvenation.

2

1

Blunky · Answer

in my opinion, it would be best to allow days off set by the parents to accommodate their work schedules. They need to experience life more whenever feasible and quite honestly, homework should be assigned to the parents. They need to be involved in their children's learning process more than the school system, many times of which they get fed political garbage instead of actually learning to read and write.

exitseven · Answer

The world is a tough place. Your boss is not interested in your personal problems and your college professor will not be very sympathetic if you do not turn in an assignment. Kids only go 180 days as it is.

seeyounexttuesday · Answer

Why am I not surprised a teacher who would assign homework over a holiday is also a liberal.

Thoughts on giving school age kids a "mental health day" or giving them X days to chose to skip? Pulling them for vacation? Family event? Birthdays?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

AI Opinion

What Girls & Guys Said