5 Mistakes Parents Make with Homework

Parents have homework too.  Your involvement in your child's homework can teach your child responsibility.  What mistakes are you making with your child and what can you do to correct those mistakes?

Mistake 1: Being inconsistent

Doing homework at a different time each day makes it harder for you to enforce homework time.

What to do:  Create a routine

Do homework at the same time in the same place each night.  Create a routine for practice and game nights too.  Consistency builds good habits.  

Mistake 2: Procrastinating

Waiting until the last minute to complete work leads to stress and poor work.  

What to do:  Plan ahead

Guide your child to break down big assignments into smaller tasks.  As your child matures, give her more responsibility for her own planning.

Mistake 3: Doing homework for your kids

Your kids will not learn how to complete homework and projects if you are over-involved.

What to do: Provide direction and structure

Be involved in helping your child prioritize and plan for the completion of work and then let your child do the work.

Mistake 4: Not being involved with homework at all

Having no involvement sends the message that homework is not important.

What to do:  Be involved

Go over assignments and completed homework with your child.

Mistake 5:  Arguing

Letting emotions take over causes stress and power struggles.

What to do:  Stay out of the argument

Stay calm.  Focus on the task.  Have your child list what needs to be done, make a plan for getting it done, and then put the plan into action.  

The most important lesson that homework teaches: good work habits lead to success.