Homework Stress Relief

Homework is an eight letter word, that feels more like a four letter word to some kids and parents. It’s often a battle in my house and I know we’re not alone. Granted there are those kids who come home and diligently do their homework every night with no issues, but they don’t seem to be the norm. At least in my life. 

I have two third graders and one kindergartener. The kindergartener will not have real homework until next year; but for the two third graders, homework is often a point of contention. Factor in exhaustion, activities and potential struggles with coursework and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

No need to fret, implementing some simple steps may ease the load a bit.

Kids need down time too: When adults get home from work they often want to change and relax. It’s the same for kids. Mine need a break before we even broach the subject of homework. A healthy snack, some time to play or watch a show helps give them some much needed downtime before picking up academics again after a long day.

Don’t overschedule: Some kids are involved in everything under the sun. How they manage to finish homework stumps me. For kids who struggle it may be that you allow them to choose one extracurricular activity or sport during the school year so they have enough time (and less stress) to complete their homework.

Plan ahead:  After a six-hour school day most kids are pretty fried when they walk through the door. For the younger set, waiting until after dinner to do homework almost always ends up in some sort of meltdown. If you can manage it, do it earlier rather than later. Some teachers give homework a month at a time so there is an opportunity to get ahead in schoolwork. For the nights my son has baseball games, we do homework in advance so he doesn’t need to stress the night of a game.

Taking care of the body helps the mind: Many kids, especially middle and high schoolers, just don’t get enough rest. Lack of sleep has a direct effect on their ability to cope and focus on schoolwork. Nutrition also comes into play. Having a balanced diet with a good breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks as needed fuels the mind. A nutritious snack after school just may get your child over the slump to tackle their homework.

Communicate with teachers: If your child is having a nightly struggle with homework or is not understanding what is being asked of them, a call or email to their teacher may be in order. Simply keeping the communication lines open between the school and home can make a significant difference.

When I contacted one of my son’s teachers regarding some struggles he was having in math it really did help. She knew he needed encouragement and also realized the effort he was putting into it which made a difference for all involved.