[erdojo]

The letter from the kid is full of manipulations. "Seven straight houses of cognitive exercises"? Is that supposed to be code for SCHOOL?

Sorry, maybe the parents are putting too much stress on him for the test, but otherwise do your chores and homework before you play video games (which is what he really wants the hour for).

[Thriptic]

If someone told me I had to clock a 8 hour day, come home and do several hours more work, and then do a bunch of menial labor five days a week I would be annoyed too. It is totally reasonable for someone to be irked when they are given no autonomy at any point during a day.

[JustSomeNobody]

Don’t be a parent. :)

You have to cook, wash dishes, wash clothes, make sure everyone gets baths, etc, etc. Help with homework, etc. A whole bunch of post 8 hour work day labor.

[selectodude]

Yeah, but you chose that.

[benchaney]

This is a huge part of the problem IMO. Plenty of people have busy schedules, but they also have autonomy, and they get to make decisions about what is important to them and what isn't. Kids have none of that.

[coss]

He could be a parent and hire help for all that.

[cududa]

Dude. Just because your life requires an arduous slog through each day doesn't mean you need to project that onto your kids.

[erdojo]

School is maybe 3-4 periods of "cognitive load" with one period of PE and another that's something more fun, plus lunch, plus breaks. I'm not opposed to giving the kid quiet time each night, but he can finish his homework and do his chores beforehand.

[justinjlynn]

Yes, what do you think school is? It's not easy, nor is it a social holiday. Chores are fine, but, if your child can manage their time don't handicap them with micromanagement. If you want respect, you have to grant it where it is deserving.

[erdojo]

First world problems.