Back to school is in full swing around my house. School, music lessons and soccer have all started. My daughters each go to a different school, on three different buses, with different start and end times. It is easy for my three daughters, their dad and I to be swept up into a momentum of go-go-go with little or no down time at home. Sometimes the days seem so busy, it’s all we can do to find time to cook supper at home in between the chaos. How can we fit in homework too?
A recent post on Sylvan Learning’s Mom Minded blog suggests that parents need to establish regular homework habits with their child and to be present during homework times so that their child feels supported.
In my house, with 5 unique schedules, it seems homework and piano (and band) practice times are easily lost in the shuffle. However, their dad (a university professor) and I (a self-employed writer), know how important regular work habits are in our lives and we want this work ethic and self-discipline instilled in our children as well.
Surprisingly, despite the logistics of finding a time and place to be home with each child, I find the greatest threat to habit-forming homework time is electronic devices. How many times have you tried to locate your children in your own home unsuccessfully because they are “plugged-in” to an iPod, cell phone, lap top, TV or computer game and have somehow not heard your voice calling their name for over ten minutes?
Two ways I attempt to instil regular, productive (and sometimes fun) work habits in my children:
The Unplugged Club
At my house, homework habits start by establishing a no-screen time until 7 p.m. At 7 p.m., screen time commences if my children have practiced their musical instrument for at least 15 minutes (they get off easy in my house) and their homework is completed. If the computer is needed for the homework (for composing, researching) they are allowed screen time earlier.
The Coffee Shop Homework Club
A fun “homework treat” at my house happens weekly on an evening everyone has a pile of “dreaded” homework (or work in my case); the entire family heads to our favourite coffee shop, takes over a favourite window seat table, spreads out our work and gets at it–favourite hot drink in hand, of course!
My family loves an hour or so of working together at the coffee shop. My youngest has been joining our Coffee Shop Homework Club since kindergarden–she brings a book to read or a math worksheet along.
We ask each other for help, proof-reading and advice when needed; with the entire family working as one unit, someone always has the right answer.
*Modernista Mama (along with Sylvan Learning) is very excited to offer one of our readers the chance to win the book, The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg.
To Enter:
All you have to do is like Modernista Mama on Facebook (see upper right side bar to accomplish this). Once you “like” Modernista Mama on Facebook, be sure to also “like” the post featuring The Power of Habit by Charles Duigg and you will be entered to win a copy of the book!
The winner will be randomly selected on September 30, 2013 at 9 pm Pacific Time. The winner will be notified on October 1, 2013 and a free copy of the book will be mailed directly to the winner!
Leave a Reply