Navigating the challenges of helping children with homework can be an emotional experience filled with both triumphs and frustrations. Recently, one mother was taken aback by her six-year-old daughter’s language arts assignment—not due to its complexity, but because of its outdated and sexist content.
Sarah Mitchell shared her daughter’s worksheet on social media. Titled “Back to Work,” the assignment tells the story of a girl named Emma, who feels distressed because her mother is returning to work after maternity leave. The narrative portrays Emma as upset about her mom working outside the home and relieved when her mother leaves early to spend time with her after school. Meanwhile, the father is depicted as incompetent, unable to even prepare breakfast properly. The worksheet sends a negative message about working mothers and reinforces stereotypes about fathers.
Mitchell expressed her frustration, stating, “It was infuriating. With each line, the outdated narrative just kept getting worse! What year are we living in? We’re teaching kids that mothers being employed makes everyone miserable and that fathers can’t contribute at home?”
As a children’s book editor, she felt compelled to take action. She rewrote the worksheet to better reflect modern family dynamics. In her revised version, Mom is returning to work after a year of maternity leave while Dad is on paternity leave, taking care of Emma’s younger sibling. The morning routine goes smoothly, showcasing Dad as a capable parent. Emma enjoys a productive day at her well-funded public school, where she can explore her interests in after-school programs like art and robotics. Instead of worrying about her mother’s absence, she dreams about her own future career—whether it be as a teacher or an engineer.
Mitchell shared both the original and her updated worksheets online, garnering significant attention and support on social media. The best outcome from this situation was the conversation she had with her daughter’s teacher. The teacher, who had been out of the classroom during the assignment’s distribution, admitted to not thoroughly reviewing the outdated workbook. She not only apologized but also committed to being more vigilant in the future.
Mitchell emphasized that the issue lies within a flawed educational system rather than the teacher’s actions. “There’s a serious lack of support for working mothers—insufficient maternity and paternity leave, expensive childcare options, and constant societal messages suggesting that mothers should prioritize home over work contribute to feelings of guilt and self-doubt,” she explained. “I truly respect the working moms from previous generations who faced similar challenges. They’ve paved the way for us.”
For more information about parenting and navigating these issues, check out our other blog posts, including important insights on fertility and home insemination.
Summary
Sarah Mitchell rewrote her daughter’s outdated and sexist homework assignment that portrayed working mothers negatively. By updating the narrative to reflect modern family dynamics, she sparked a conversation with her daughter’s teacher about the importance of accurate representation in educational materials. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges that working parents face, emphasizing the need for systemic change to support diverse family structures.