In our house we start our homework at 4:00 p.m., no not at 4:15 p.m., 4:00 rain or shine! Generally speaking I have our home on a routine, schedule if you must…gasp…I know you are thinking…no not, Michelle! I like the boys to be able to have their snack first, play or watch TV. I have friends who insist that the children do their homework before they do anything else. I feel you need a break, to chill and relax before you jump back into your school work again.
Homework can be a huge battle for families and it is extremely difficult on families that have both parents working full-time. It is a lot of pressure to do it all; make dinner, wash clothes, pick up the house and let’s not forget try to help with homework.
I had several clients that like to set up an area in their office for the children’s homework. I like this idea for kids that are older and are more independent. In our house I would be running up and down the stairs a 100 times, but maybe that would be a good thing for my bum but that’s another blog.
Our homework area is the kitchen table. One child at one end and the other one at the other end. I am such a mean mommy that when my youngest son didn’t even have homework, I would have him sit in his spot at the table and look at books just to get him used to the idea of homework while my other son did his homework. How crazy is that?!?!? One of things I like about having them here is that they have so many questions about their homework in elementary school. This allows me to be near them to answer their questions and at the same time I can be starting dinner or folding clothes.
Some suggestions I would try at your home would be to make sure you homework area is neat an organized. Try to have any extra supplies you may need (lined paper, colored pencils, rulers, etc.) handy so that you aren’t running all over the house.
Keep your children focused and help them understand that the sooner they finish the closer they are to being able to play. Remind them that we all have work to do, commitments and as a child this is their responsibility.
I try to make up little games or silly sayings that may help them to remember things for their test at school. Last week I used John Cena from WWE to help him remember that Boston is the capital of Massachusetts. If your boys aren’t into wrestling, John Cena is from Boston! I tape their spelling words to the pantry door every week so they can see them. I doubt they at look at them but it makes me feel better!
What are some things you do around your house to make homework more fun and less stressful?