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Now my kids have been in school for 2 years, I can´t understand how the teachers are not, at the end of every day, pulling their hair out and in need of a stiff drink. This is how I feel every night having battled my way through the homework hassle. And as the kids get older and the tasks longer and more challenging, I decided I had to stop the nightly warfare before it claimed its first casualty – me! Subscribe to Type-A Mom articles

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Homework is an essential part of the schooling process for many reasons:

Carrying out tasks previously studied in school improves problem solving and emphasises the need to listen in class.

Completing homework on a regular basis improves discipline.

Sitting down and completing tasks will increase a child’s attention span.

Organising and prioritizing homework tasks will improve a child’s time and task management skills.

I set myself a challenge to try and reduce the amount of stress caused every night, and came up with these simple steps:

• Routine, routine, routine! Set a time for where and when the homework is to be started, and do not vary it, except in extreme circumstances. This lays out the expectations for everyone.
• Create a homework area, with adequate lighting and no distractions such as the TV. They can store all their supplies there such as pens and colours, and it avoids the need to wander from room to room. It also means they won’t have to shift half way through to allow the table to be laid for the evening meal.
• Don’t allow them to complete the homework in their bedrooms….too many distractions and you won’t be on hand if they need you.
• Help them create a list of tasks each night, and get them to cross them off when they are completed…this aids organisational skills and they will have a sense of control over what they do first.
• When they ask for help, don’t complete their homework for them! Try to explain the task but allow them to work out their own answer. This leads to a much greater sense of achievement.
• Let them know there are consequences for non-completion, such as no TV or an early night.

Well, these measures certainly seem to be having a positive effect on our household so far, the need for hair pulling and a stiff drink have been lessened…at least until I mention it´s time for bed and the resistance starts all over again.