Homework Horror!

Now the Kid’s are back at School it is that time again to start doing the dreaded Homework on an evening. After the school holidays with late nights and lazy lie in’s on a morning, It is hard enough just dealing with the dreaded alarm bell ringing at 6.30am.

I do the morning run walking around each room shouting the boys in turn, watching tired heads trying to tear themselves away from their comfy pillows and snuggly duvets.When they do finally surface we have a short time scale to get dressed, fed, cleaned, bags packed and ready to set off to school and college.

For children school days feel even longer than normal as throughout the country they are still adjusting to focusing their attention to lessons and new teachers and friends, mine has just started High school so he has to adjust to a more grown up way of life and higher expectations of him.

When children finally get out of school the last thing on their mind is more work, the sheer thought of it makes my son look really under pressure. All he wants to do is come home and forget about learning and school.

The Pro’s and Con’s

I am all for children having the skills to give them the best chance of success in life, but I don’t  think I agree with adding that extra pressure for children and Parents by adding more work to try to fit into the small amount of time they have at home.During the evening we have so much to fit in such as making the Tea, doing the packed lunches, getting the uniforms ready, signing the school books, running their baths and then it is bedtime and for the younger children bedtime stories, without adding Homework too and at High school it seems to be practically every night he is coming home with new Homework.

I believe the work should stay at school and Home should be a place where they can switch off from learning and enjoy their family time and especially during their first term back at school relax and have early nights, Looking at mine at the minute he really needs it.

I do know that each school is different with their Homework policies, and schools do not set it to be mean, They are told to do so whether they agree with it or not.I feel if homework has to be set then at least they could try to make it short and sweet and above all fun when at all possible.

With more and more children now attending school clubs, dance classes, football practices, well the list of activities children can do could go on and on.In the past, my children have had to do homework and even eat a pack up tea on their way to and from tennis lessons, not having homework to do would take a little pressure off us all as a family especially the kids.

  

Here are some of my top tips when it comes to dealing with Homework:

1. If your child or Teen is refusing to do their homework, take a deep breath  instead of shouting or threatening to take away their favourite Toy or mobile phone, try a different approach and say something like”Ok, but you will have to face the consequences of not doing your homework at school”. As a parent, you will have to cut the apron strings, and let them explain to the teacher just why they haven’t completed their homework. It’s a little tough loving, but your child will know that the onus is on them to complete their assignments.
2. Normally, when young children lose a playtime or have to stay in at lunchtime they will want to get their homework done on time in the future. For Children at secondary school the prospect of an hour detention after school may have the desired effect too. Maybe you could remove a few of the favourite toys or games and tell them when they have finished thier home work they can have them back!
3. Sympathise with them and let them know you had to do homework at school and you do know just how it feels.
4. Try and get it over with earlier in the night rather than just before bed or worse in the morning before school, when it would be rushed. I have found my two doing this before and it just doesn’t work. They stress and feel anxious at the sheer thought of hardly having anytime to complete their assignments. Be firm and tell them they have to do it early as its for their own good.
5. Explain the positives of Homework and how it will benefit them by cementing what they have learnt at school firmly in their minds.

I would love to hear all your thoughts when it comes to Homework, are you for or against it?

Have you any top tips to encourage the children to get their Homework done on time?

Follow Me on BlogLovin’ ♥
Facebook ♥
Twitter ♥
Google+ ♥
Pinterest ♥
Instagram ♥
RSS ♥

MOTHERS AND FRIENDSHIPS