Some of the problems - and struggles - with homework time can be solved with a bit of organization. As a parent and professional organizer, I know those struggles include everything from where the child wants to sit, to when the homework will be done, to how long is long enough on reading assignments.

 

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At the end of a long day for both parent and child, neither wants to end up in a battle of wills.

 

I can help you put a little organization to work, and it can help smooth out some of the struggles (but I can’t do anything about fractions!)

Here are a few simple organizing techniques to make your home a good place for homework:

• Establish where homework will be done. Stick to it. Designate a homework center. This is the location where homework is done daily, so choose one with fewer distractions. It can be a desk but it can also be the kitchen table. The point is to establish a spot and a routine so there isn’t a struggle about this daily.
• Clear the clutter: As you know, kids will pick up and fiddle with anything. No matter where your homework center is located, make it a daily habit to clear off toys, paper and clutter distractions. Clearing the space means you are serious about the work to be done.
• Set up a homework supply box. Stock it with needed items such as pens, erasers, pencils, a sharpener, glue stick, calculator, ruler and so forth. Place it in their homework center. Kids won’t need to jump up and hunt for things.  
• Plan for homework. You know they are going to have it, so plan when they will do it. If you announce the homework time the day before, when reviewing the next day’s activities, you’ll head off a lot of bartering over when they will do the work. If your calendar is so busy you can’t figure out when they can sit down peacefully and concentrate, then it is time to change your schedule.
• Have a homework folder. Purchase a folder just for homework. Have your child label it and put all homework, for all subjects, into it. At school, they won’t need to stress and dump the book bag out trying to find a piece of paper. All homework goes in one folder. Easy!
• Organize reading with them. Elementary kids, and even middle school students, may not be capable of deciding how much to read to complete a book on time. Make a set of bookmarks and label them with the days of the week. Work with your child to divide the book up, using the markers, so they learn how to spread out the task and manage their time. Each day they read from one marker to the next one. No more arguing about if they have read enough pages.
• Get some extras. Eventually you will need more supplies or special ones. Designate a shelf in a cabinet or even a plastic tub. Stock up on the things you know you will eventually need. This is a great stress reduction tip for parents and kids. Buy a few poster boards, stick-on letters, report covers and a back-up supply of printer paper and ink.
  

 © 2010 Professional Organizer Lea Schneider, www.organizerightnow.com.

 

About Lea Schneider

Professional Organizer Lea Schneider’s organizing advice has appeared in Woman’s Day, Natural Health and Better Homes and Gardens Kids’ Rooms magazines. She is the Grand Prize Winner of the Rolodex Office Makeover Challenge. Her team of professional organizers, at Organize Right Now, provides organizing assistance through her Organize Online program. She is the author of Growing Up Organized: A Mom-to-Mom Guide. Learn more at www.organizerightnow.com.