Real Moms, Real Solutions: How Do I Establish My Child’s Homework Routine?

Happiness During Homework Time?… Yes, It Can Be Done!

School has arrived! We are getting into our routines of getting up earlier, eating a healthy breakfast, and making it to school on time. However, the one routine that might be a little harder to establish is getting your child to do his homework after school. Homework has been around for as long as we can all remember and is a part of each of our child’s lives. Homework is meant to establish responsibility and teach your child to manage his time, but it is often viewed as a chore by children, and let’s be honest—often by us parents, too! So, how can you make it run a bit more smoothly?

As important as homework is, remember that your child just spent 6 hours in school, plus either a bus or car ride. That’s why it is so important to let them come home, have a snack, and just chill for 15-20 minutes. I find that my kids are starving and exhausted when they get home, so they need that down time to eat something nutritious and just decompress for a few minutes.  While allowing your child to have a little free time when they get home is helpful, whatever you do, DO NOT turn on the TV! This will only cause an argument because inevitably, they will not want to turn it off.

A successful year of drama-free homework time starts with a designated & organized space for your child to focus on school work.

First, it’s a great idea to set up a place for your child to do their homework. The location should depend on your child. If they need a quiet environment, a desk in their bedroom might be the best place. However, if you know you are going to find them 20 minutes later playing with their toys and having gotten nothing accomplished, the dining room table (where you can keep an eye on them) might be more appropriate. Younger children will need you to sit with them the first few times until they get used to the routine.

Next, you need to find a good time for your child to get his work done. Some might benefit from doing their homework right after school, while others can wait until after dinner. You can try different times and see what works best for your child and his schedule.

Lastly, make sure your child has all of the supplies needed in their homework location. This way, there are no issues of having to get up to find a pencil or glue stick. It should all be right there.

Praise your child when they are done. They have gone to school and done their “job” and then come home and done some more. We all like to be acknowledged for our hard work and our kids are no different.

Homework is supposed to be a review of what your child learned in school. If you are finding that your child is struggling and you are having to teach the concept to your child, let the teacher know so you can make sure they are understanding everything being taught in school.
 
 
Meet The Bella Behind the Blog: Kristen Farley is a mother of three and a domestic goddess. She is a former teacher who enjoys spending lots of time with her kids, healthy eating, volunteering at school, and mommy blogging for the masses.

Be on the lookout for more of Kristen’s expert advice in our “Real Moms, Real Solutions” series!