Homework Hassles
Homework is an important part of school, yet it can be the bane of a parent's existence. You may feel like you spend a lot of time helping your son with homework or arguing over it.
Your son needs to have an area set up specifically for homework, either in his room or in a common area. Stock it with supplies he will need and books he might find useful, like a dictionary or thesaurus. Keeping his homework supplies handy will prevent him from coming up with excuses to stop doing work. If your homework center is in a common area, it may include a computer. Your son will spend a lot of time in his area, so he should have some say in the comforts. The chair and desk you bought when he entered first grade may not be best now, and his comfort level will affect his productivity.
While your son should work steadily, he should also take breaks every twenty minutes. Watching an hour-long television show is not a break. Tell your son to stand and stretch or walk around; this will help him stay alert for longer assignments. Teach him to find the natural breaks, but a timer is a great way to remind him if he tends to work straight through.
Fact
The U.S. Department of Education says middle school kids spend about two hours on homework each evening and teens in high school can handle more than two hours per day. If you think your child has too much homework, check with the teacher to see how long the work is expected to take.
Let your son know that you are available to help him, but leave him alone while he does his homework. When he asks for help, do not give him the answers right away. Give him the tools or resources he needs to answer his question by himself. Guide him, and let him figure things out for himself.
As tempting as it is, do not fight over your son's grades. You need to give your son the tools he needs to do well and go from there. One of the easiest things to do is to help him determine the best schedule for him to do his homework. Sit down and pick out which hours will be devoted to homework each night. Since he will help you and state his preferences, he will be committed to following the rules.
Essential
Homework is your son's responsibility. He needs to do it himself. You should not stand over him and tell him what to do or how to do it. Occasional advice is just that — occasional. Be sure to let your son have ownership of his work.
By giving your son input, you will allow him to help design something that will reflect his learning styles. Homework schedules can be adjusted for times before tests and the like. Your son may enjoy studying with friends as well. This can be a brilliant idea for some kids. Consider hosting them at your house. Many parents say their sons want to listen to music or the television while studying. This may prove to be a help and not a hindrance. If he's putting forth the effort, it must be working. It can also make his hours of studying more pleasant.
