I like your approach but in this example, kids really should have less homework. It galls me that a 10 year old is expected to spend 8 hours confined to a schoo

I like your approach but in this example, kids really should have less homework. It galls me that a 10 year old is expected to spend 8 hours confined to a school building, and then spend a signficant chunk of after-hours on homework. Unless this is supposed to be preparation for an adulthood where you're never truly off the clock.