Spencer doing his homework
“I don’t get this mom!”
“I understand the directions but it doesn’t make sense to me.”
“But I have to read it to you.”
“I don’t have any homework can I play yet?”
“Do I have to finish my homework right now I want to play with Aidan before he goes home?”
“How do you spell against?”
From about 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm I have decided to no longer answer my, phone, emails or texts, my undivided attention during that hour is divided among 6 children doing homework all at the same time, all on different levels and subjects. HOMEWORK EEEKKK!!!
One of the most difficult tasks as a mom, I believe is homework. From the time I have to ask them to take it out and do it to the time they have to put it away. I realize it is important they need to reinforce what they learned at school at home so that the lesson is actually retained, I get that. I personally did not mind homework, as a kid, I didn’t love it either, but I dealt with it ok. It is different as a mom they think you know every answer. I am humble enough to let you know I don’t know every answer!
As frustrating as homework is for me I guess it is a learning experience not just for them but for mom as well. We have to learn to be patient with the way each child learns and they all learn differently. We have to approach each child with kindness and so much patience. We have to mature as a person to do homework with our children. It is a challenge but it is time well spent with your child. It is a way for my children to learn how truly human an imperfect I really am as a mom.
Today when you tackle homework with your children say a little prayer first to give you patience, understanding and kindness to help them.
You, as the Mom, helping with homework is more effective than if your children had a tutor or anyone else to help them. It’s been proven in research that the mother’s attention to homework, vocab, math, etc with the child has the greatest effect on the child;s future performance and success.
So, keep up the good work, Mom!!
“One of the most difficult tasks as a mom, I believe is homework.” – I totally agree! I never really struggled in school… I too did homework… not with much passion or anx either way… it just got done. I find that these days the homework hours unfortunately falls right right during the witching hour. Fab!Hubby and I both work outside of the home… so the end of the day rush to get in the house, take care of chores, check homework and conduct and handouts and announcements… sheesh! The papers that come home from school must fill up their very own landfill somewhere. For the moment… this is the schedule we as a family have. I really agree with your idea to limit distractions. I don’t make phone calls, etc… during this time. The kids are at the kitchen table so I can help while making dinner… and I try to keep dinner prep as EASY and nutritious as possible. And this semester – we have the amazing blessing of the older brother now being able to read and help out the little brother now and then. ( I caught big brother helping with a word find this morning during breakfast… how sweet is that!)
Thanx a million for the post. It is nice to know I am not alone in my homework struggles.
Ahhh, so true! Homework with children continues to be a learning experience for me! My children are differently gifted and differently motivated, and like JJ with two working parents we’re doing homework while preparing dinner and in between running to practices and the like. Turning off the phones, saying a prayer, and being patient, are all excellent ideas to help me cope! And despite all the craziness, as my children are making their way through middle and high school, I relish the opportunity to read novels at home that they are reading at school, so that we can discuss them – much as we read story books together when they were little. I also enjoy re-learning history and discussing social studies with them because it gives me the opportunity to see the world through their youthful optimistic eyes. Like most of life’s little treasures… you have to brush away the dirt and sand to see the shimmer… thanks for reminding me!