Spontaneous Requests Strictly Forbidden!
First of all, the worst mistake you can make is to ask your child—just
when you happen to think about it—if he has homework. This is an
example of a spontaneous request, and your question is sure to
provoke hostility. Homework should be a daily routine, done at the
same time and in the same place as much as possible.
One of the best ways of setting up a good routine is to have the
child come home, get a snack, goof around for thirty to forty-five
minutes, and then sit down in a quiet spot and try to finish his
schoolwork before dinner. Then the whole evening is free—and it will
be free of homework hassles for you! For many but not all children,
afternoon is preferable to evening for homework because the child has
more energy.
Don’t let your young student do academic work with the TV on.
The television is always out to get your attention. Believe it or not,
music from a CD or iPod may be fine. For many children and teens,
music can provide consistent background noise that blocks out other
household distractions.
Helpful Homework Strategies
Natural Consequences
If you are going through the first experiences of your child having
trouble with homework, consider trying the natural consequences
approach first. That means you do nothing. Keep quiet and see if the
child and the teacher can work things out. So many parents get
anxious way too soon about their children’s schoolwork, with the
result that the grown-up prematurely takes charge of the job and
doesn’t give the child a chance to learn—and exercise—true
responsibility.