Homework Help for Families

Homework is something that many parents and kids alike dread.  Kids get home from a long day of focusing and learning and the last thing they want to do is more work!  But homework is part of our lives and if we take a minute we can reframe it and see it as an opportunity to build independence and perseverance!

Three of my kids are in school and they all actually have homework on a weekly basis.  My younger kids often have optional homework that is very simple, and my oldest has graded homework.  This week I want to share a few of the things that have helped us weave homework into less of a struggle and more of a regular part of life.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

A Consistent Time:

One of the most helpful tips I have for homework time is to pick a consistent time to do homework!  If you do homework right away after school some days, and after dinner on other days you are setting yourself up for your kids to push back at homework time.  Kids thrive on predictability and routine.  If they know they are expected to do homework at the same time every day you have at least taken the emotion of surprise out of the equation.  They may still not like their homework, but at least you are dealing with emotions because they had the expectation that they would come home and play Nintendo and now you are telling them they have to do their homework!

We do a little daily snack break and then dive into homework as soon as we get home.  I like to preach we work first and then we play.  So in order to do any of their “fun” things they know homework has to be done.  A different time may work better for your family, but they key is to communicate when homework time will be and then to stay consistent.

A Quiet Place:

This next tip is important for all kids, but can be a little more tricky the more kids you actually have in your house!  In order for kid’s to have the best chance of staying focused they need a quiet place to work.  If you have one child then you may just want to make sure your TV and other electronics are off and away.  Your kids may be old enough to be independent so you can get them a simple desk like THESE that we got for our big girls.  If they are younger and may need help still, I would suggest you also put away the electronics and try to keep the multi-tasking to a minimum.  I have noticed when I am distracted they will be too!

If you have multiple kids this can be tricky, but not impossible.  We do not live in a big house right now.  But as my kids were doing their e-learning activities this week due to some schedule changes because of staffing shortages, I was reminded how important for them to each have their own space.  I was letting my 2 year old watch Spiderman (no judgement!) in the living room.  My oldest daughter wanted to do her work at the kitchen table which is on the other side of the room from our open layout living room.  Needless to say this plan did not work!  It was too distracting!

I recommend establishing a room for each child.  Obviously their bedroom is a great choice.  If you have kids that share a room (like we do!) then use your bedroom as an option!  Even with four kids and a small house we have enough rooms for everyone to be separated.  If you don’t have desks think about buying some clipboards!  Or there are lap desks you can get if your child wants to work in their bed.  You can be creative and find a way to make a quiet (or at least quieter) environment at homework time.

Snacks, Activities, and More

As I mentioned before, in our family I want to teach my kids that we do our work before we play.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t give our kids a breather to settle into home after school.  We usually have about 15 minutes to have a snack and to share with me anything they want about their day.  After that we get to work.  If they aren’t done with their snack, I will usually let them continue to eat as they work. 

One other thing that has worked for us is to think about what ways you can give your child some control during homework time.  If the teacher doesn’t have a requirement to use a pencil then let them pick whatever writing utensil they want to use.  Do they want to lay on the floor and work or sit at their desk?  Let them pick what order they want to work on their assignments if their is more than one assignment.  Homework may not be their favorite activity so any control you can give them in the situation will help you! 

Finally, save the fun stuff for after homework time.  Give them something to work for.  In our house there is not technology or TV time until homework and chores are done.  If they drag their feet on their homework they don’t get much TV time!  I personally have found it much more difficult to let them come home and watch a TV show and then expect them to get to work.  They have already started to become screen zombies and the pushback will be much worse! 

So there you have it!  My best homework tips!  Would you add any to the list?

Don’t miss any of our Mom Moments!  Become a subscriber and get our weekly Mom Moments right to your inbox.

Looking for ways to connect with your child through learning?  Try my Preschool Made Easy program HERE.

Or check out the posts below for more ideas on family, faith and fun!

Let’s stay in touch!!  Click the icons below to follow me on social media.