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Let's face it. Homework time gets harder with age. I'm not just talking the age of the child, but the age of us parents. The more the education system changes and the more we're further removed from our school days, the harder it gets. Not to mention the fact that after your kid has been at school all day, they don't want to sit down and do more work.

I can't decide which is more challenging: getting my son to truly clean his room or do his homework. How can you help your child avoid the hassle?

A HOMEWORK AREA

A designated homework "area" is the first important element. A desk is ideal, but if you don't have the space the kitchen table, dining room table or even the living room coffee table will work. Just make sure supplies are readily available, whether they're on a desk or in portable storage.

HOMEWORK SUPPLIES

Some basic homework supplies you'll need, depending on the age and grade of your child include:

• Pencils or pens
• Pencil sharpeners and erasers
• Crayons, Markers or Colored Pencils
• Notebook paper, graph paper, printer paper
• Composition books or spiral notebooks
• Measuring tools like rulers, a compass or protractor\
• Tissues for tears of the child or the parent

PLANNING

When I was in school, we had assignment books or planners. My how times have changed, especially as our kids get older. The digital age is upon us. Even in middle school, kids are allowed to bring their phones and tablets now. The benefit of the digital age is that you can create shared family calendars.


As long as you have a method in place and monitor it, use whatever method works for your family. Be sure your child adds planned quizzes, tests and projects. Parents can coordinate family events and extracurricular activities around the child's homework schedule. We love the Cozi Family Organizer.

TIME

Establish a specific time each day that is set aside for homework.

When I was in grade school and middle school, I would come home and have a snack, then immediately start my homework. My parents weren't home when I got there, but they could show up at any time. They worked very close by. Part of my "routine" was driven by fear. After awhile, it just became habit. Plus, when my parents came home, I knew they'd be checking my homework before I could go out and play.

If there is no homework that day, have your child use the time to read.

Consistently doing homework or after school reading helps develop successful study habits that will carry with them.

HOMEWORK HELP

Set aside some time each day to go over your child's homework. Check their work and go over anything they didn't understand or have questions on. Following along with your child's education is critical, especially as they grow older and you're farther removed from your own education. It's almost like you need to retain everything they're learning in order to be able to help them through their high school years. Take it from the Mom of a high school senior.

If your child is struggling with a topic and you can’t provide the help, find a tutor or someone else that can help them.

NO MORE HOMEWORK HASSLES

At the end of the day, the homework plan you come up with for your family is an important element in preparing your child for the future. The five elements I've shared are only starting points, but a must-have foundation to reducing the hassle of homework.