Homework Help for Exhausted Parents

Homework is an exhausting word in itself. The second word in the compound word says it all "work." Still, for children to learn, it is important that they learn to teach things to themselves. Before we give you some suggestions, let's break down what the real meaning of homework is.

Teachers and schools can not do it all. An individual has to be able to learn through trial and error. A person has to figure out ways to teach himself. Take a look at "texting messages." They don't teach that in schools. Maybe they should, because it has rapidly become the way young people communicate. Most children teach them-self or learn from their peers. Homework uses the same principles.

It is not a parent's responsibility to do a child's homework. It is a parent's responsibility to make sure it gets done. Establishing good habits early in elementary school, will go a long way when a child enters high school.

Parents come home from an exhausting day at work. Even parents, that want to help their children, can be tired. So what can you do to assist your children with their homework? These suggestions will help the exhausted parent help their child.

1. Assignment Book; Your child should have an assignment notebook that all homework assignments are written in. This can be a very small notebook. This way a parent can keep track of what is to be done.

2. Homework Folders; Handouts need to be kept separate from other materials. Have them kept in a separate homework folder.

3. Reference Materials; If you need things like a resource book, text book, workbook, dictionary or whatever, have them on hand. I once had a teacher that gave us 2 text books. (One for school and one for home).

4. Know When Assignments are do; Not all are do the next day.

5. Have a Set Time; This will vary on your child's after-school activities. Later at night is a bad idea. The child is usually too tired to perform well. Usually right after dinner or as dinner is being prepared.

6. Motivate; You don't want homework to be a burden. a parent's attitude towards learning is very important to the child. If you look at homework in a negative context, so will the child. Try to incorporate a way that homework is important to future endeavors. (Math to a salary) (History to travel). This is tough to do, but can really help.

7. Progress Updates; Check from time to time how the child is doing. Line up their work with their assignment notebook. Look for the little things. (neatness, spelling, correct answers, detail, quality of content)

8 Partner Up; Have your child work with another student from the same school/class. Many times, two heads are better than one.

9. Have a stand by Tutor; There are many high school and college students that could use a few extra bucks. Use some psychology. Young boys will listen to pretty girls. I even used a young man, working for Boeing, to tutor in Advanced Math.

10. Do not brow beat your child; Be persistent, but keep things moving at an even flow. If your child struggles with one problem, leave it and come back to it latter.

11. Do the hard assignments first; You can always leave it and come back if necessary.

12. Provide a good well lighted environment. Poor lighting makes for sleepy students.

13. Breaks should be Required; If you are tired from an exhausting day, don't you think your child is?

14. Have all teachers phone numbers and emails. Communication can prevent a lot of "F's" and in-completes. When in doubt, ask.

15. Record Homework grades. Keep them separate from other grades. Use anything to reinforce positive results.

Keep in mind that homework is an extension of the learning process. Excuses do not exist. As a parent, you can control what gets done and what doesn't. Do not let the child use excuses for not doing their work. If you use excuses for not doing your job at work, how long before you are unemployed? Enough said.

Finally, there are web sites that offer homework help. Tutorvista.com and www.homeworkhelponline.org/ are two.