What Everyone Should Know About… Homework Tips for the Not-so Homework Child

I think I get just as frustrated as my 9 year-old. But hey, who can blame him? What kind of fun is it to sit there, just staring at the multiplications table’s chart? I’m sure he has to wonder how in the heck he is going to memorize all of those things.

The frustration begins to mount even before he sits down at the table to do the work. His body language gives it away; the tightening of his fists, his sighs that can be heard a block away and don’t forget the 101 reasons why he needs to get up from the table.

“Mom, can I have something to drink?”

“What about something to eat? *Sigh* Just a little snack?”

Or, better yet – “I’ve got to use the restroom.”

Okay, why didn’t he think of these things BEFORE sitting down to do his homework? You would think that after months and months of enduring these reactions that I would know ahead of time what to do, right? Wrong! I still have that small hope that he may one day sit down, pull out his books from his book bag and do his work with no complaining.

However, I’ve started early. We’ve actually managed to get through one whole chapter book! I couldn’t believe it once he finished. I was so proud of not only my son, but myself as well. But, wait, there is more. We actually wrote a book summary on it! Yes, we sure did. Not only did I have my nine year-old read a book, but he also wrote a few paragraphs on it.

My next step: the dreaded multiplication tables. We’ve actually worked on these as well over the summer. I tried something new and guess what – it worked! We played Math Bingo. It’s fairly simple and the best part of allâÂ?¦ he enjoyed playing it.

There is one other little secret that I have used and has been working well so far. Obviously, by now you know my 9 year-old, rising 4th grader is not into the school thing. So, getting him to do homework every afternoon is not on my list of “fun things to do.” Hence, my need to create a fun writing activity. The way it works is that I write something to my son, usually a one-sentence question. He has to answer me back in writing as well. So far, he thinks it is fun; hopefully it will stay this way! We usually end up writing a whole page to each other before he even notices. How great is that!

I have figured out that getting my son to actually enjoy his school work does take a little extra time, but I believe in the long run, it will be well worth it. Not all children enjoy school and the work load that comes along with it. However, if presented to the child in a fun way, the situation will be easier for both you and your child.