It's that time again!!!

[Hotmummy]

School is right around the corner! Natasha will be going into the 2nd grade this year. I want to start some positive routines for her regarding homework, because it has always been a huge fight in the past. I know that her homework load is going to be heavier this year plus we'll have a new baby joining in the picture. Needless to say, I cannot spend countless hours fighting with her to do her homework.

So, for all of the parents out there with school age children, how do you get your kids to do their homework without fighting? I REALLY need your help with this one.

Thanks,

Jen

I should add that she is very independent and strong-willed.

[Hobbit]

I'm not much help Jen, because my eldest (she's 5 - started school last September) still loves doing her homework so we don't have any arguments about it.

What sort of homework are they giving her?

[Ukmomof4]

At the moment mt 4 year old only has word cards to read at home.

My 10 year old has at least an hour plus everyday and she normally walks straight in from school and does it and then she knows she can play or watch tv afterwards. At the moment she is studying for high school exams and I am buying lots of treats to bribe her to do extra schooling. At the moment she likes stickers and I'm all for that, instead of candy.

[Hotmummy]

I'm not much help Jen, because my eldest (she's 5 - started school last September) still loves doing her homework so we don't have any arguments about it.

What sort of homework are they giving her?

I'm not sure yet, but last year it averaged about an hour a night. She'd have Religon and Science once a week, and every night she'd get English, Spelling and Math. I'm sure it will be more intense this year because her first grade teacher and I had many meetings regarding her homework issue, and she's already let me know that the workload just about doubled.

I didn't really have a problem with her until last year when it became more academic and less fun. Sometimes she'd fight with me for 3 hours before she'd cave and do it, and some nights she'd downright refuse to do it. It reached a point where I threw my hands in the air and told her that we both knew she had homework to do, and if it wasn't done by a certain time then she would just go to school without it and have to face the music with the teacher. She lost plenty of privlages last year because of it.

I just can't imagine another year filled with power struggles regarding homework :wallbang:

[Hotmummy]

At the moment mt 4 year old only has word cards to read at home.

My 10 year old has at least an hour plus everyday and she normally walks straight in from school and does it and then she knows she can play or watch tv afterwards. At the moment she is studying for high school exams and I am buying lots of treats to bribe her to do extra schooling. At the moment she likes stickers and I'm all for that, instead of candy.

I was thinking about doing that, having her doing it before tv, snacks, or anything. I pick her up directly from school though, so it doesn't leave much time for a break. When I was working, she used to go to aftercare for about 2 hours then come home and do it.

Hmmmm....now that I'm writing this, I'm wondering if the problem really started because she went into the 1st grade or because I stopped working. Both happened around the same time. I'll have to think on that one.

[Hobbit]

I guess you could trial a few different systems for about a week or so each and see what works best.

e.g.: Have her sit down to do homework the minute she gets home. If homework usually takes about an hour in total, tell her you'll bring her a snack in half an hour. Once she's finished her homework let her choose a favourite programme to watch on TV or something. (Or help you cook dinner if she likes joining in with that sort of thing, etc.)

If that doesn't work well then maybe try letting her watch TV/play/read for half an hour when she first gets home and then settling her down to do her homework. Give her a snack when she sits down to get started.

Point out to her it'll seem easier to do when she's not really tired as she will be just before bedtime. Better to get it over and done with so she can relax properly afterwards.

Good luck!