I know here at our house it's like pulling teeth to get homework done without constant whining or complete lack of focus. Three nights a week we have activities which make homework even more daunting. Last night I set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes and told the kids I wasn't going to sit and nag and redirect them, and they better be done when the timer went off. It actually worked! I think I will do this every night.

What do you guys do to make homework go smoothly. We are only in 1st grade and I cringe at what lies ahead. I think I hate homework more than they do!


Terri~
12/21/01 at 33 weeks

I think you're on the right track. I also notice that if they are hungry or particularly tired, then the battle is that much harder. We don't start school till 9 am, so some mornings I will do homework before school. they are already up and dressed and ready to go, I can get 10-15 minutes knocked out pretty easily then.

Kim
Nate, Nick & Noel(36w4d)and Nia.

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Hi,

It is a struggle here too. The actual amount is not large, but the sitting down and finding pencils and erasers is painful. We have sets of chores too and that is a whole other struggle.

What we are doing (it is In Process) is each of the kids has a Webkinz account which they enjoy. They dont get to log in and see their webkinz til homwwork is done (supposedly, some of us parental units are stricter than others, if you know what I mean). It has provided enough leverage to get 'er done most days.

Nancy

mom to beautiful BBG triplets, born February 2002 at 33 wks, 4 days

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We had this issue with my DS in 1st grade. Things are much better this year in 2nd.

Some things we did that helped on occasion...

Setting the timer.
Breaking it up- I'll set the timer for 15 minutes. Write 1/2 the spelling words 3 times each. Then do the same for the rest of the words.
Incentives- homework must be done before TV, computer games, other activities. I had some Bionicles that I bought 2nd hand. They sat on top of the fridge. DS would do his homework and then ask for the Bionicle. Same worked with his small Lego sets that he got for his birthday.

I have seen a new maturity with him, although he on occasion will still sit and do nothing for 25 minutes (at home and in class).

Also, I've started saying things like "do you want to do your homework before you make your bed or after?" or "when are you going to do your homework sheet?" And then hold him to the promise. Or "do you want to do your reading or math first?"

We have started having the natural consequences of not doing the homework occur too. So whatever the teacher imposes, then that's it whether it's a lost recess to make it up or lost free choice time in the classroom.

As we start to have more activities we try to use them to our advantage. It's difficult with team sports, as I feel an obligation to the team. But when he comes home, we will have a rundown of all the things that need to happen before we leave for the activity. If you aren't ready, then we don't go. It got rough a couple of weeks ago when DS almost missed scouts. The ONLY reason he got to go 1/2 hour late was b/c DH had to turn in the popcorn order, otherwise he would have bagged teh whole thing. So, we told him daddy would be leaving no later than 7:30. This is what you need to do to go with him.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

We do homework as soon as the kids get home from school. If we don't do it immediately, it becomes more difficult. This has been our routine, and it works for us. If we don't come straight home from school we do homework in the car, or while we are waiting somewhere.

If my kids balk at doing homework then they can't do anything fun until it is finished. I usually let my kids have 15-20 minutes of computer time and they will lose this if they gripe about homework. I have threatened a couple of times, but never had to follow through.

Lisa
Mom to Aidan, Christian, and Rachel (10.03.01 @ 36wks)

We bust out with the homework as soon as the back packs hit the ground. Since I work we are already getting home late, so if we don't get on it right away, there is no chance of getting it done.

When they need help they sit at the kitchen bar while I cook dinner so I can be there for the assist. If they are working on their own, I have them show me what they have done before packing it up for the night.

If they finish early then then get extra computer time to induldge in some disney.com


~Dionne
Mommy to Jessica, Alexa & William 02/20/02 31w6d

As a rule I always let my kids de-stress after school.. after school is play time (inside or outside).. helps them burn off energy.

I work full-time; when I get home we do homework.
The timer helps ALOT. HW rule is MAX 20 minutes of HW per child. Unless it is studying - then we do it together.. Some nights it is frustrating - but they usually cooperate.

good luck!

Lisa mom to Melanie(28)
Guillermo,Jonathan,William(10.9.01 @34 weeks)
grandma to Brianna(5)

Ah...the never ending "battle" of homework! I set the tone since Kindergarten (my trio is in 4th grade). As soon as the kids get home, have a snack ready and easily available for them. I usually put out grapes, pieces of apple, preztels, cheese, and/or some kind of crackers. I go through their backpacks and get homework supplies out while they are decompressing and eating their snacks. This gives them time to refuel and gear up for homework. It has always been a rule in my house that homework comes first. No video games, no computer time, no phone use until homework is done.

At the 4th grade level, I allow "project" work to be done after dinner. This usually allows me one-on-one time with whichever child needs additional assistance.

Of course, we also have after school activities (soccer, band, orchestra) that usually throws a kink into the routine, but somehow we manage to get everything done.

...not bragging, but my kids are all very good students (nothing less than an A- here!)

Keep a routine...that seems to be key. Good luck!

Trio Di Mio
BGG born @ 36 weeks