Can you make New Year's resolutions for other people? If so, I've got one for my younger children: to end their homework problems. Don't get me wrong; they usually manage to get the homework completed and into the backpacks 90 percent of the time. But the process is way too panicked and last-minute for my taste. There's no need for everyone to get stressed the morning that it's due -- especially when you have days or a week to work on the homework.
This coming year, I'm determined to get all the adults on the same page, so that the kids receive the same kind and firm message about homework. They're both responsible at age-appropriate levels for completing their homework problems; we just need to make sure that every afternoon they have calm, uninterrupted time at a table to work. Too often, when their grandfather babysits afterschool, he plans a big expedition into the woods and forgets about homework. Or when I'm in charge, I let them linger at the skating rink while I chat with other moms who are picking up from lessons.
What are the biggest homework problems in your household? Please share your frustrations and creative solutions!
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