Homework Frustrations!

I am getting so frustrated with trying to get the boys' to do their homework. I know that most kids are not interested in homework, and accept that, but I need some tips on how to get them to do it!

Knowall (10) is not too bad at sitting down and doing it, but soon looses interest, and just rushes it, so that it is incorrect, lots of spelling errors, and more importantly a lot of words missing from his Literacy stuff.

Babygrumps (9) is terrible at even trying to get to do homework. This week he surprised me by telling me he wanted to do it, but the issue was that he lost interest within 5 minutes of starting, and seemed to forget everything, from adding up to multiplication.

It is getting frustrating for us all! I have tried everything from letting them do it downstairs, to actually sitting with them and helping them, however, I end up doing it all for them, and I can not keep on doing it!

Any teachers or people who have cracked this one out there with good advice?

Dishy

Hi Dishy,

I am not really qualified to answer this, but here's an idea for you.

Have you tried a rewards chart?? Say for instance each time they do their homework they get a star and after 10 stars (or you can set a different amount) they get a reward - something they REALLY like to do e.g. being allowed to watch T.V. mid week if they are not allowed to or extra pocket money or something fun that you like to do together like bake cakes etc??

The chart would have to be big, fun and colourful and placed in a prominent position so that progress is always visible and goals set can be easily seen, worked out (in their minds e.g. only 2 more stars and I can.....) & worked towards.

Just an idea & good luck with whatever course of action you take.

Hi Dishy,

I have found routine and set amount of time has worked for us.

We do the homework the day its set.
Snacks and drinks are given.
20 minutes max on one piece if they have tried and still not managed to complete it I have said thats enough and when they were younger would inform the teacher they had attempted it but struggled to finish. The teachers were ok with this.

Good luck with it all.
honey.x

The most frustrating part is that Babygrump knows his times tables, and I think it is just laziness that he won't sit and do it properly.

I have decided on the following plan of action, to try and get some success!

1) Tell them they have half an hour of watching TV or on playstation until homework time starts.
2) When they come down tell them we will be doing it in short bursts of 15 minutes, and then they can stop and have a drink or a biccie.
3) Start them off with some examples and some assistance.
4) Remind them of the reward at the end of it.

See how it goes! Babygrumps has homework with a calculator on it with a cross through it - I am assuming meaning that he is not allowed to use one, BUT I wonder if he is allowed to use his Multiplication Square he was given by the Ed Psych....... or could that be similar to a calculator?

Dishy xx

Sounds like a good plan Dishy

If it has been given by Ed psych then it should be ok
maybe check out if it can be used tho