Homework

– A love/hate Relationship

As a mother of elementary and middle school children, I have developed a love/hate relationship with homework. On one hand, I understand why its important. But somedays I just want to sit next to my 4th grader and cry with her about that math problem we’ve been working on for almost and hour.

In our house, homework is done immediately after school. It’s become part of our routine and works with our hectic schedule. The girls get off the bus and go straight to the kitchen table. We sit together, have a snack, discuss the new things they are learning, and work on homework. Most days I look forward to our homework sessions.

For about an hour every afternoon,

Monday through Thursday, I get a first hand look at how my children are growing academically. At the beginning of the school year, my kindergartener couldn’t tell the difference between a “b” and a “d”. Today, that same child just read an entire book by herself. I can usually tell right away if they are struggling with the lesson they are working on. Homework gives us a chance to work a litter harder on the things they don’t understand, before grades start to drop.

On the flip side,

There are days when I’d rather sit on the porch and watch them ride bikes until dinner. There are times when I see them struggling but don’t know how to help. Apparently everything I was taught in school was wrong. I don’t even know how to “properly” complete a long division problem. The main issue I have with homework is the fact that we as parents don’t always know if we are helping or making the situation worse. A worksheet that the teacher may expect to take 10-15 minutes may actually take 45 minutes and 2 meltdowns.

There have actually been times when we’ve had to watch YouTube videos on how to solve a problem. I never know if I should make them sit until they figure it out, find the answer for them, or just put a question mark and tell them to ask their teacher. I want my children to appreciate and value their education, not hate school because of something as simple as homework.

Honestly though,

It doesn’t really matter how I feel about homework. Its a part of life and no amount of complaining will change that. Trust me, I’ve tried. I have been a “homework helper” for almost 10 years and the one thing I cannot stress enough is, start them young. Make homework a family affair; try to make it fun; definitely interesting, but never make it painful. Its okay to take a break if emotions start to build up. Its okay to put a question mark and move on. Homework is important, but its not everything.

• Do you have a homework routine or any tips/tricks to make it less painful? I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below or send us a message.

Check out the adorable FREE printable on our Free Downloads page. Its the perfect gift from your little one to their teacher.