Homework is a necessary evil (we don't forget that easily), and just like us, our kids never want to do it. Playdates and phone calls usually take the top spot, but we know that school is much more important. SweetMama expert, Jen Woods (a.k.a The Time Doctor), tells us how we can maintain the perfect balance.
How can we make sure that they keep school and their social life balanced?
It is very easy to get caught up in the moment when it comes to an argument over homework. What is most important, is for us to step back and keep focused on the big picture, no matter how frustrated we may be. We need to focus on teaching our children time management skills from a very early age and help them learn to budget their time on their own.
Teaching our children the skills involved in balancing social life and schoolwork is one that will stand them in good stead for their entire lives. Learning the “balancing act” applies not only in the early years when it comes to getting homework done but also to later years of school, university and the working world. If we can teach this skill early, our children will benefit greatly from it for their entire scholastic and professional lives.
The primary technique to teach children about time management is the technique of keeping track of tasks and keeping them organized on a calendar. If a child can see what needs to be done clearly, it will be easier for them to conceive of the notion of not leaving things to the last minute. By starting them off early with a calendar or day timer they will learn the technique of keeping things organized on paper. As soon as an assignment is brought home, be sure to help the child write down the due date and budget (on paper) the time that will be required to complete the assignment. This will help minimize the efforts to finish a project at the last minute and also minimize the associated frustrations with having to spend an entire evening on homework to get the job done, when they would much rather be out playing with friends.
Dr. Jen Woods knows first hand the struggles and challenges that parents can face while trying to balance the everyday chores and responsibilities of parenthood. In an effort to help other busy working parents like herself, Jen started the Time Doctor business in the spring of 2008.
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