Single Parenting – Getting the homework done

Getting the children’s homework completed can be a nightly stressful event for the single parent. Below are some tips for making homework time easier for you and your child.

• Keep calm. If you get upset, your child will feed upon that emotion, and a battle will result. Chances are, your child will not get the homework completed if this happens or at least, the quality will not be good.

• If you see your child getting frustrated, let them take a break for several minutes or even longer if necessary.

• Give a snack and water or juice before starting homework. A heavy meal could make your child sleepy and less able to concentrate.

• Designate a place for homework to be done and make sure all needed supplies like sharpened pencils, pens, scissors, gluesticks, paper, etc. are available. If your child’s favorite homework spot is on the floor, put the supplies in a tacklebox so that they can be put away and brought out easily.
• Watch and listen to your child for clues on making concentration easier. Some kids like music in the background while others find this distracting. Others can think better if they are chewing gum or squeezing a stress ball.
• If your child tends to not write down assignments or gets the instructions wrong, find another parent that you can call who has a reliable child so that you can make sure you know all of the homework for the evening. Better yet, encourage your school to use a website for teachers to post the daily assignments.
• If your child and you are struggling over homework each evening, consider getting a tutor. While this option can be pricey, you might also find a college student or retiree who is interested in a little extra spending money to help out.
• If your child routinely cannot focus on assignments or is not turning in their work, you need to have your child evaluated for learning disabilities such as ADHD. Untreated ADHD can lead to many emotional problems and can cause an otherwise bright child to fail in school.
• Does your child take schoolwork to the other parent? Before you drive off when picking up your kid, make sure that they have all of their homework with them. And, you will have to work out a way to communicate assignments with the other parent so they know what to work on.
• If your child has a project to do, consider letting him or her do the project at the home of the parent with the most skills in that area. For example, if your ex is a good artist, let your kids work on art projects with him or her. If you are great at building things, then that construct a house project would be better for you to supervise.

Use the above tips to tame the homework monster when you are a single parent.

The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and BeyondHomework Without Tears