Homework: A Poll of sorts

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2007
Homework: A Poll of sorts
17
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 10:08am

We start school on Tuesday, and I'm seriously putting down some rules in writing for my kids for the school year (ie., bedtime, computer/TV time, wake-up time, etc.). As far as homework/piano practice, we have struggled in the past to find the "ideal" time to do it. I am thinking that on nights that they have an activity, they must do their homework immediately after school. On "free" nights, I think I will let them play with friends after school, but allow no TV/screen time until homework/practice is finished, and homework must be worked on immediately after dinner.

What do you do in your house? Do you allow down-time right after school? What is the homework policy that works best for your family?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 10:34am

My only rule is that homework be started by 6:00 so that my kids (7th graders) aren’t working until midnight, but we've reached the point where I believe they are responsible enough to make their own judgment call regarding when to start homework (and when I remind them that it's 6:00, they've already started homework). What works for my son doesn’t necessarily work for my daughter. If my son has no activities after school, he will get a snack and relax for a while, then begin homework before dinner and get a portion of it done. Then he’ll continue with his homework after dinner (usually starting before 6:00). When he has after school activities, he starts his homework after dinner. My daughter prefers to take a break after school and doesn’t start her homework until after dinner.

My kids have had homework since they were in 1st grade. I used to have them start work after dinner (not after school). For the two years that they attended the after school childcare program in 4th and 5th grade, they did 45 minutes of homework after school at the after care program then completed their work at home after dinner.

Lynn

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 11:09am

It depends on the day, but we run a tight ship.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 5:43pm

I think it depends on the kid and the situation. My daughter has always been the "DO it right away" kind of kid but my son..whoo whee! First I had the "Do it as soon as you get home" rule because it was hard to get him refocused. Then by middle school he was such a grump from 'holding it together' all day that I started giving him an hour of downtime to play video games as long as he got right on it afterwards. Now in high school he has track after school so the rule is he can take as long as he needs to relax but NO tv or computer time until it's all done. PLUS no driving if he has ONE missing homework assignment...so he's pretty motivated to get it done!

Denise

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 7:14pm
We don't have specific rules. She is home alone until I get home and we eat right away at 6:00. To be honest she's had no more than 1/2 hour of homework and that was sporatic up to Grade 6. We start Grade 7 on Tuesday so we will see what happens. I know the first 6 weeks will be tough, it always is, but then she settles down. Usually after dinner though. She goes out to play with friends often right after school and here it starts to get dark in October around 5:30 so if she doesn't go outside right after school she won't get to play out as she's not allowed out after dark. I also think she needs a break. I know I do, I could never just walk in the door from work and sit down and start working some more. So generally it works well for us, starting around 7:00. But we'll play it by ear this year.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 10:28pm

The rule in our house is:


Homework is done as soon as they get home from school. We found that letting them have any downtime made it harder for them to sit down and focus on their work. They do their work while dinner is being prepared. Overall, it works best for us. I think it's better to have them do it when things might still be fresh in their mind from school, while they're still in "school" mode and are focused enough to get it done correctly. Once their work is done - they know they're free to do whatever they want to do.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 10:36pm

I wish we could have a set routine, but with sports, games, etc.... it is just to hard to have a consistent routine--so we go day by day!


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Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 10:45pm
Lucky, we haven't had a lot of homework issues. My kids do when they get home, since they ususally have an activity.

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2004
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 1:49am
I'm still waiting to see how the whole homework thing plays out, we've never had homework before.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 5:43am
Daughter decided herself -- snack and tell me about her day; homework and then we are off to dance, Pathfinders
She says "we have to much homework" but does it anyway.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2007
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 7:49am

We play it year by year as our activities change as far as schedules go. We begin dance this week and they are right after school with the exception of one. We also want to try to get into girl scouting this year. I am pretty strict with the homework issue, tho. If homework isn't done, than no computer or tv. I also have my girls read for 20 minutes before lights out at night. They like to read so that isn't a fight.

Good luck. My issue is usually keeping DH going by the rules. He is quite forgetful if things don't fit into his thought process. LOL

Sandy

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