Here is how you can end the homework hassle:
1. Foster a We're-in-This-Together Vibe
Do your homework as your children do theirs'. If you have checks to write or e-mails to respond to, you're role-modeling by just sitting and doing it. Kids feel that homework is a family activity and not a boring punishment. Plus, if they needs help, you'll be there.
2. Divide and Conquer
If math is not one of your great skills, help your kids with subjects you are good at: English, French, Social Studies, Arts. Let your spouse play the rocket scientist and Einstein.
3. Show them who is boss
Sometimes, asking your child to explain what she does know about a subject or problem can help her figure it out. When she comes up with something, remark on it, so that your child feels encouraged to carry out homework responsibilities more independently.
4. Dangle the Carrot
I don't mean bribe your children to do their homework - you don't want them to become gift-monsters, expecting a treat for every nominal task they perform. Instead when your child is this close to the answer but it's just not clicking, say, "I know you don't have the solution yet, but what do you think it might be? "Is there a different way we can come up with it?" Ideally, you won't give him the answer, but you'll help him reach for it.
5. Put all your children's assignments, practices, and after-school activities on a dry-erase board or cubby that you fill out together. This helps keep homework safe in one place, organized and easy to manage. I like to have two bins one for complete and the other for incomplete assignments.
6. Do homework at a certain time and place everyday. Do not let their books and stationary wander all around the house. Also, try to avoid compromising homework time for any other activity/distraction. Help kids make a lasting habit to read and write daily by being consistent with their homework timings.
7. If you think you need to call in the cavalry to get your children through homework ... here are a few places that can help:
Option A: Sylvan Learning Centers $50-$55/hr in person, $55/hr online. Sylvan Learning is Personalized help with all subjects, test prep, and study skills in groups of no more than three students. Another option: live, online tutoring done from home.
Option B: Kaplan Tutoring $60-$75/hr one-on-one; $45-$55/hr groups; $29/mo online. Kaplan provides One-on-one or small-group tutoring, a reading-intervention program for learning-disabled kids, and an online option.
Option: Kumon Math & Reading Centers $85-$115/mo per subject. Kumon Launched in Japan, Kumon is a program in which kids learn and practice math and reading skills, building slowly and incrementally on what they already know.
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