Is homework ruining your nightly family time? If you are anything like the families that I see, it has become a dreaded and lengthy battle each night.
Children are coming home from school physically tired and the last thing that they want to do is more school. Parents are getting off of a long days work and just want to relax, but feel pressured to ensure that all of the assignments are finished correctly.
How to Balance Homework and Home Life
You might have seen this viral post from a teacher that said that she was not assigning any homework to her class during this school year. Instead, she encouraged nightly reading, having a family dinner and going to bed early.
I would say she got it right. She referenced this research that says that homework in elementary school is not helpful. In fact, it can actually be harmful because it makes kids less interested in school in general.
But Our Teacher Does Assign Homework
So, what can you do if you are one of the unlucky parents whose teacher is still assigning work to be done at home. The initial worry is that your child will fail if they do not complete the homework. You certainly don’t want to undermine the authority of the teacher by saying that these assignments are a waste of time.
Homework Do’s and Don’ts
DO: Ask the teacher how long the homework should take (30 minutes)
DON’T: Tell the teacher that you are not doing it at all.
DO: Require your child to spend that amount of time on homework
DON’T: Stress if the homework is not completed.
DO: Inform the teacher that you tried but weren’t able to finish
DON’T: EVER let them take away recess at school to finish homework
DO: Allow children to work on their assignments without you!
DON’T: Give children the answers just to get it finished
DO: Give kids a chance to have a snack/play before they start working
DON’T: Wait until after dinner to get started
DO: Play instrumental music in the background
DON’T: Have the television on!
DO: Encourage the effort (you are really working hard)
DON’T: Praise the outcome (Good Job, you’re finished)
DO: Enjoy family time (and dinner) each night
DON’T: Spend all night yelling and fighting
DO: Consult with the teacher about your struggles
DON’T: Worry about your child repeating a grade (it’s okay)
DO: Consider professional help (tutoring, mental health)
DON’T: Just assume it will get better without interventions
In the end, your relationship with your child is more important than their nightly work (especially in elementary school). The dread and negativity that come along with homework battles is not good for your mental health or for your child’s mental health. However, we all want our children to be successful and these types of struggle could be an indication of a bigger problem.
Know When To Seek Help
If your child is having that much difficulty with homework, it could be a sign of a mental health disorder like ADHD. Other common problems include learning disabilities (like dyslexia)or sensory processing issues. Or it could be that your child needs glasses.
Before you assume that it is strictly defiance, rule out all other possible causes. Talk to your pediatrician and your child’s teacher and evaluate the need for additional services if the problem persists.
How long are you spending on homework each night?
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