Drowning in Homework, a poem

I’m checking spelling words
I’m checking them twice
I’m correcting sentences
Feeling tired, and not nice.

Over this word problem
I’m scratching my head
Why do I feel so stupid?
I was once smart instead.

The work load, the papers
Pile up in the end
I begin to feel trapped
Can I phone a friend?

It’s not the teacher’s fault
Or my kids’ or mine
The demands increase each year
Yet somehow we make it just fine.

So we’ll wake up early to study
Or we’ll cram by staying up late
We’ll end up wiser and more balanced
I’ll try to believe that is our fate.

So homework you may be drowning us now
But we all know how to swim
Our family is stronger than your tactics
And our fairy tale won’t end up grim.

So dish it out, come on homework
We can handle what you bring
My child will dance around your math equation
For the scientific method, my daughter will sing.

The school year is just beginning
We are only getting started here
We will not be intimidated
You can have our best selves, not our fear!

Sincerely,
A tired but determined mama