Homework

Coach Higgins
Seven Simple Homework Solutions
(for Parents)

If I offered you a job where you had to work a full day with no chance of any raise or advancement and then I asked you to do 2 hours of additional work at home every night for no additional pay ... how long would it take you to quit that job.

It’s ironic that we are shocked that our children resist an arrangement that we would never cooperate with. It’s not “why won’t they do their homework” .. The real miracle is that they do any at all.

1. Your Kids Probably Don’t Like Homework. That doesn’t make them wrong... it makes them human. They’d rather do something else ..of course. Don’t expect happy cooperation .. You’ll only wind up disappointed and frustrated. Work for compliance and completion.

2 You Can Not “Make” Your Children Do Homework. You can make it worth their while. You can bribe, persuade and even threaten and punish but ultimately the kid has to pick up the pencil and direct their own mind. Don’t try to “control” just do your best to motivate.

3. It’s Not Your Homework. Eventually your child will grow up. They will then have the opportunity to lie in the beds they have made and learn from their own experience. Don’t let homework destroy the trust and respect between you and your child. Set the boundaries and then let your child choose. No judgement or stress just structure.

4. It’s easier when you have an absolute set in stone non negotiable routine. Your child will probably protest. But we are all creatures of habit. The same place at the same time every day.

5. Be Present. Especially with younger children. Sit with them be prepared to answer questions and praise progress. Don’t do it for them and don’t hover. Do some reading or paperwork of your own. Role modeling is always the best parenting tool. If you abandon them somewhere in the house and then go and watch tv .. Don’t expect great results.

6. Time Set expectations for time of focus not just time in front of the books. “You’ll spend X minutes working ... and then we’ll do something else.” You’ll have to adjust what that time is based on experience with your child.

7. Focus on “Why?” Work to find things for your child to work for and things for your child to work away from. Not “punish and reward” .. But more along the lines of a job. When x amount of work gets done ... here’s your payoff. And if the work doesn’t get done here’s what it will cost you. And make sure you are dealing with things that this child cares about .. Not what you care about.