Handling Homework Overload By Jeanette LeBlanc, Ph.D. A crisp fall breeze is stirring as a yellow school bus roars up. A sentimentalist at heart, you've made it home early to surprise your kids. The doors open and kids burst out with gusto, adorned in their new school clothes. Your little one hops down, and runs over to give you a big squeeze while your teenage princess looks positively mortified to see you at the bus-stop. Then…your heart skips a beat as you spy their Pikachu and N-Sync backpacks bulging at the seams! Oh, the horrors of homework overload! In her new book, "The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning", Etta Kralovec explores the serious side of homework overload. With increased pressures for national testing scores and funding challenges, many schools think more homework is the answer. Kralovec believes that "too much" homework may reduce academic motivation and lead to decreased classroom performance. Jayne Ash, an artisan, wholeheartedly agrees. "I don't understand why children are expected to come home and work all evening after a full day of schoolwork! Are we teaching them to be workaholics? Why can't they just be kids?" However, Jane Madson, owner of a dot.com enterprise, likes daily homework because it allows her to see what her kids are doing in school. "Stephanie, age eleven, is a perfectionist about her homework and enjoys being in a gifted and talented program while Catherine, age nine, complains constantly, but expresses her creative side in her homework whenever possible. She's a natural artist-writer-performer and I encourage her to integrate her talent and interests into her homework whenever possible." After a day of dealing with your own in-box, all you want to do is come home and unwind. How does a BlueSuitMom manage to work, come home, feed the family, and then help with homework? When you feel that homework has gotten out of hand, there are ways to balance the scales. Dealing with Homework Overload Talk to Teachers Early in the school year, respectfully ask your child's teacher or teachers how much time they expect students to budget for homework each night. They may not realize that it seems like "too much" or that your child is not managing time well, or needs additional help. Be proactive about solutions (from requesting your child sit up front, recommendations for a tutor or an educational evaluation). Use your Multi-Tasking Skills My son does his homework at the kitchen table while I'm starting dinner. I'm able to show interest in his work, provide support or guidance, and whip up dinner too. On my "easy dinner on paper-plate nights" I'll sometimes work on one of my projects, from across the table. With several children, decide if you want them in one location, or if it's better to split them up. Design Your Best Homework Routine The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a "positive homework atmosphere free of clutter and distractions, including television." Having a set time to do homework will pay off in less procrastination, complaining and late night rushes. What will work best for you and your child, right after school, after dinner or his sports practice? Then stick to it. Some after-school programs include supervised homework time. If so, do a quick review at home. Perhaps you and your spouse can switch-off on homework supervision, or help with different subject areas (English, algebra and science). Organize Assignments Post a calendar where due-dates can be marked, and teach them good "project management" skills. Do you demonstrate good organizational and time management skills or do your kids see you scrambling to do a big project the night before? Make it their responsibility to bring an assignment folder or list home each night. Don't Do it for them Supermoms, resist the temptation to give answers or to write that school report for them! If you do, you run the risk of sending the message that either they're not capable or that putting your name on someone else's work is acceptable. Encourage them to do reports or projects on topics that they are intrigued with. "The Aerodynamics of Skateboarding or the Analysis of the Modern Teen Movie" may get them excited about schoolwork for a change. Work first, play later Encourage them to maximize their school work-time, allowing for more time with friends later. If they're busy passing notes, or talking to their neighbor in study hall, then the natural consequence is to bring the work home. Time with friends or family; playtime for younger kids, phone or "mall-time" for older ones, can be the reward after the homework is done. "Lighten up" and reward yourself too! After being the homework ringmaster for your family circus, you deserve it! Additional Resources: • Help with homework • Eduhound.com -- Online resources to help with children's homework • Americaslibrary.gov -- The Library of Congress • Teaching your child organizational skills Jeanette LeBlanc, Ph.D., is a National Certified Counselor and freelance writer specializing in life-balance, parenting and women's issues.