This Mum Gave Up On Her Kid's Maths Homework – And Boy, Can Parents Relate

Let’s not beat around the bush: children’s maths homework can be hard. We’ve had the parents struggling to answer a 6-year-old’s maths question, plus the mum who wouldn’t work out this dog puzzle for her 7-year-old.

And these parents aren’t alone. Last night, columnist Lucy Mangan tweeted that her eight-year-old’s maths homework was officially “beyond” her.

“I retire from motherhood,” she wrote.

The 8 year old’s maths homework is now officially beyond me. I retire from motherhood.
— Lucy Mangan (@LucyMangan) October 2, 2019

Parents replied in their hundreds relating to the dilemma – from those who had given up completely, to others who racked their brains to try and help.

Many sympathised immediately

I sympathise. Totally.
— Laura Spagnolo (@Laura_Spagnolo_) October 2, 2019

My 6 year old had partitioning to do this week. I have no idea what this is.
— Leanne Gill (@lsgill79) October 2, 2019

Exactly this happened yesterday with my 9 year old 😬
— Catherine O (@kittyosh) October 3, 2019

Some were haunted by homework of the past.

Aah! Vividly remember my son looking at me and saying “Can’t you do long division Mummy “? Pretty much saw the scales fall from his eyes revealing me to be the idiot I am😕
— Lindsey Parfett (@LindseyParfett) October 2, 2019

Number bonds did it for me.
— Ms Person (@MsPerson) October 2, 2019

Try year 9 physics. All my awful times in science labs come shrieking back.
— philippa vinall (@pippavinall) October 2, 2019

I remember this! Mean, median and mode finally stumped me ;-)
— Alison Alexander (@AliAlexander15) October 2, 2019

Other parents took matters in their own hands

I had a useful book - called something like Maths for Mums and Dads or Maths homework for Parents. Explained all the new ways of doing things
— Jane Clapton 🇪🇺 (@janeclapton) October 2, 2019

Year 2. Booked a babysitter to go to a maths workshop at school. We both have to go so husband can explain it to me afterwards, like the proud, qualified feminist I am. This was not factored into my dreams of adulthood (I don’t understand factors)
— Ana Sampson McLaughlin (@AnaBooks) October 3, 2019

While others warned it’s only going to get harder

No, I think it’s WELCOME to motherhood. *stamp of approval*
— Smriti Halls (@SmritiPH) October 2, 2019

I'm afraid it doesn't get any easier. My 15 year old was talking to me quite enthusiastically about his maths lesson today and he didn't notice my eyes glaze over. I have to remind him of his audience.
— Susan Keeling (@SusanKeeling4) October 2, 2019

Back to the books we go...

Submit a tip