In my research, there were two main ways that a single parent would help their children grow in a school setting. They would either have the school do most of the work and leave the rest for tutors OR would help their children outside of school rather than getting tutors. Just as you would expect, there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
The Tutor Route
Sometimes, parents just don’t have time to spend on their children’s homework. Maybe it’s due to jobs, commitments, religion, dating life. Regardless, their children still have to learn. Going the tutor route looks different for everyone, but there are normally some similarities.
You might see a child in an afternoon study help session in middle and high school. In an elementary setting, you might see a hangout after school in a teacher’s room with snacks, slight homework help, and some fun.
Outside of school, you might see a person mixing the roles of a babysitter and a tutor. They might watch the children, make a meal or snack for them, and watch them until the parent gets home. They might also in that time help them with homework. When I was an elementary schooler, I had a babysitter named McKenzie who always helped me with my math since she was in high school and knew the concepts well. A single parent might hire a McKenzie to help prepare their child for school.
One advantage of this is the fact that the school and the tutors normally know the system better than the parent. There is little chance of being taught an incorrect method of completing schoolwork. With the changes in education since you as a parent has been in school due to things such as information being updated or Common Core, there can be a disconnect.
A disadvantage could be that you might feel some FOMO, or fear of missing out, when it comes to what a child is learning. It could feel like you might be distant, and that might disappoint or freak out a child and cause a disconnect.
The Parent Only Route
The other position you could take is where you are 100% responsible for education outside of school hours. This differs in the way before because there is no after school interaction between teacher or student. In addition, there is no tutor to help either. It is the parent only.
One advantage to that is the connection that you will build with your child. You will be there for your child and they will notice that. It can strengthen your bond and bring you closer.
A disadvantage to that is the fact that it will be harder for you as the parent to get time for you to do things. Simple tasks like going to the store or big tasks like finding jobs can be hard, and it will make living a life outside of the kids and maintaining friendships very hard.
Which Is Best?
I don’t have an answer for that. As a parent, you have to figure that out for yourself and your family. You can go hot or cold on the issue, or you could combine the two and make a tutor/parent method hybrid. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s the best decision for you and your family.
Life in Differential Parenting 