From bake sales to behavior charts, today’s parents are expected to do more than ever to support their children’s education—and many are nearing their breaking point. It’s not that families don’t want to be involved. But when schools start expecting full-time volunteer hours, 24/7 availability, and deep pockets for constant donations, it stops being a partnership and starts feeling like pressure. The growing list of expectations stretches parents thin, especially those juggling jobs, multiple children, or limited resources. Here are seven unreasonable demands from schools that are exhausting families and making it harder to just be a parent.
1. Expecting Parents to Be Available During Work Hours
Many schools send last-minute reminders for midday events, assemblies, or volunteer shifts, assuming parents can just drop everything and show up. But for working families, especially those with rigid schedules or hourly jobs, that kind of flexibility simply doesn’t exist. Taking time off for a 30-minute reading session might mean losing income or scrambling for childcare for younger siblings. It creates guilt for parents who want to be present but physically can’t. When school schedules clash with real-world responsibilities, it leaves families feeling like they’re constantly letting someone down.
2. Assigning Projects That Require Parental Help (and Supplies)
We’ve all seen it: a “student” science fair project that clearly involved a hot glue gun, a $40 trip to the craft store, and a parent pulling an all-nighter. These assignments often demand not just time but money, turning into a competition between families instead of a learning experience for the child. For single parents, caregivers with multiple jobs, or those who simply aren’t crafty, these tasks feel overwhelming. Instead of encouraging independence, they create unnecessary stress and inequality. Schools should focus on student-led learning—not who has the most Pinterest-worthy volcano.
3. Piling on Fundraisers (Over and Over Again)
Cookie dough, wrapping paper, discount cards, fun runs—modern fundraising feels nonstop. And it often falls on parents to do the selling, collecting, and even delivering. While schools understandably need extra funds, relying on families to be the sales force every month is exhausting. Not every household has a network of coworkers or relatives to hit up for donations. The constant pressure to contribute financially—on top of school supplies and activity fees—makes many parents feel tapped out.
4. Demanding Constant Digital Communication
Parent portals, daily emails, class apps, group chats—it’s information overload. While communication is important, expecting parents to monitor five platforms daily is not realistic. Missing one message shouldn’t mean missing out on critical updates or being labeled “uninvolved.” The pressure to stay digitally engaged can feel like another job, especially for those with limited access to devices or internet during the day. Families need streamlined communication—not a full-time commitment to school inboxes.
5. Holding Parents Accountable for Student Behavior
Yes, parents play a vital role in their child’s development. But when schools shift disciplinary responsibility entirely onto families—without context or support—it creates blame instead of solutions. Sending home behavior charts, requiring daily signatures, or calling for every minor disruption assumes a level of control many parents simply don’t have once their child walks into school. Worse, it puts families on edge, worried that every phone call means they’re being judged. Schools and parents should work together, not point fingers.
6. Expecting Parents to Provide Classroom Supplies
At the beginning of the year, families often receive long supply lists—including not just their child’s basics but extras like tissues, dry erase markers, and disinfecting wipes for the whole class. In underfunded districts, this burden falls squarely on families who may already be struggling to cover essentials. Many want to help, but when a supply list costs $150 per child, it crosses the line into unsustainable. Public education shouldn’t depend on parents acting as emergency donors for basic classroom needs.
7. Assuming Everyone Has the Same Time and Resources
Perhaps the biggest underlying issue is the assumption that all families are starting from the same place. Not everyone has flexible jobs, disposable income, reliable transportation, or the mental bandwidth to take on more. When schools expect uniform participation without recognizing differences in ability, they unintentionally shame or exclude those who can’t meet every ask. What’s meant to be a partnership ends up feeling like a pressure cooker. Equity requires empathy—and realistic expectations.
We Want to Help—But We Need a Break Too
Most parents truly want to support their child’s education, but they’re already doing more than enough. When school demands start to overshadow home life, it leads to burnout, resentment, and disengagement. The solution isn’t to lower standards—it’s to build systems that respect everyone’s limits and encourage sustainable involvement. If we want to raise thriving students, we need schools and families that thrive together—not fall apart under the weight of unreasonable demands.
What demands from schools have pushed you to your limit? What changes would help your family feel more supported? Let’s talk in the comments.
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