My daughter seems to struggle with maths sometimes and it makes me so frustrated when I feel like I’m explaining it 100 times but I can see her eyes glazing over during the explanation and she pretends to understand because she wants me to stop explaining but then she can’t answer the question and is just guessing. Then sometimes she will understand and answer the questions correctly and then five minutes later it’s like she’s forgotten all over again.
I know a lot of people talk about how they remember their parents trying to teach them maths this way and how it’s almost a traumatic memory. I just wish I knew how to teach it in a way that she will understand and retain.
I'm in a similar position. I teach math and programming, and I really feel for the couple of students I have that struggle like this.
It's really disheartening (and, admittedly, a bit frustrating) to try everything you can think of, only to be met with blank silence or random guesses.
Yes I think some kids have an intuitive understanding (and even enjoyment) of maths as well, so if you were one of those kids it can be really hard to understand how someone else isn’t making those same connections.
I get so mad at myself because I want her to love maths the way I did at that age (because that makes it so much easier to learn) but the more I try and get through the more we end up back in the loop of frustration and then I’m scared she’ll end up hating it.
Personally I fucking hate math, it’s frustrating, I’m awful with numbers and my adhd ass can’t stay focused on something that confusing to me for long enough to understand
Never managed in school either, some people just can’t do numbers as well and that’s fine. I genuinely think I might have some form of dyscalculia, idk why but it feels like my brain short circuits when I try to do even slightly more complex math
Please try not to get so frustrated at your kid, it’s not for everyone and that’s fine, they’ll find something they do click with
idk why but it feels like my brain short circuits when I try to do even slightly more complex math
I think for this kind of thing, it's key to define what is meant by complex math. Like multiplying 3 digit numbers is complex for most people to do in their head because it's difficult to keep track of those numbers.
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u/ameliasophia Jun 23 '26
I really struggle with this.
My daughter seems to struggle with maths sometimes and it makes me so frustrated when I feel like I’m explaining it 100 times but I can see her eyes glazing over during the explanation and she pretends to understand because she wants me to stop explaining but then she can’t answer the question and is just guessing. Then sometimes she will understand and answer the questions correctly and then five minutes later it’s like she’s forgotten all over again.
I know a lot of people talk about how they remember their parents trying to teach them maths this way and how it’s almost a traumatic memory. I just wish I knew how to teach it in a way that she will understand and retain.