How to Tame the Homework Headache

After a busy day of learning, working, afterschool activities, household chores and errands, everyone is ready to relax when they get home. But there’s always homework that needs to be addressed. Before homework time turns into a battle of wills (or tears), try these practical tips to keep the peace.

Be present.

Meaning, be focused and engaged without distraction. I know this is a challenge. Parents have so much to do and often multitask (dinner is not going to cook itself, right?). It’s easy to justify responding to texts or making calls while kids are doing homework, but this also robs parents of being present and robs kids of the focused support they may need. If your child struggles to complete homework alone, your availability can make a big impact before frustration takes over.

Read side by side.

Most kids are expected to read at home. Show them that reading is a priority by having everyone participate in family reading time. Grab a novel, magazine or something for work and sit down and read alongside the kids. (And no, social media doesn’t count.) Even little ones can sit with a stack of books to look through. Modeling good reading habits goes a long way in teaching kids how important reading is.

Know what makes your child tick.

Some parents insist doing homework right when kids get home is best, but that may not work for every child. Some kids need time and space to decompress from the busy school day before being expected to study more. Half an hour for snack and outside play may work wonders. Try out different timeframes and scenarios to see what works best for your children. Once you find what clicks, try to be consistent.

Wave the white flag.

While it is important to teach responsibility and have a daily homework routine, sometimes homework is overwhelming and it’s necessary to surrender. We’re not talking about supporting excuses for not wanting to do homework.

Recognize when homework is too challenging for a child to work on independently. Often this indicates that more instruction is needed in the classroom. Instead of forcing an assignment that is truly too difficult, talk through it with your child and if it can’t be resolved, email the teacher.

Communicate.

Homework is an opportunity to practice things learned in class and provide feedback to teachers about how much children grasp. Most teachers would rather know when a student is struggling at home than have a child in tears. They certainly don’t want parents completing assignments—that is no help at all. Having open communication with teachers—and encouraging children to communicate—makes homework a better experience for everyone.

Homework can be tricky after a long day, but for most kids, it’s a reality of life. Being present for your children and helping them set good homework habits will serve them well in years to come. v

Rebecca Hastings is a former teacher and freelance writer who is passionate about authenticity, faith and family.

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