DO YOU HAVE THE HOMEWORK BLUES TOO?

School has been in almost a month now.

One word....Homework. Two words....Homework sucks!

Why is it that when I arrived home at 7:00 p.m., my daughter's homework was not completed? Bedtime is at 8:30 p.m.

Ok, maybe I can be a bit too hard on my daughter, BUT, we all know what our children are capable of doing.  Every child is different.  Some very independent and others need a little push.  My daughter, oozes independence, very philosophical and an analytical thinker.  For example, when she was having a bath the other day, she uttered very logically, "Mummy, there should be a faucet for warm water."  She is wise beyond her years.

And so...

I admit, there are times when I forget that she is only just 6 years old.  6 year old children don't always feel like doing their homework.  They want to play! She didn't feel like doing her homework. 

courtesy of honestmom.com

She cried, she whined, she made excuses, she pretended she could not find a pencil, she said and did everything she could to get out of doing her homework.

[Hey, as a grown adult, I can list the things I don't feel like doing. And some days I really want to cry and whine about it. So I KNEW how she felt. LOL.]

I wanted to scream.  In fact, I screamed at the top of my lungs in my head.  I wanted to cry too! It was too much. On top of helping her I had to deal with the 3 year old who also had homework but has an attention span of a goldfish...blank stare. lol.  He's not keeping still, up and down and all around. He ended up cutting up his homework page with his scissors instead of cutting out pictures to glue onto his homework page (I think that was due to his excitement of actually having homework to do).  Sighhhhhhh....No one was listening.

After a long day of solving other people's problems at work, my day had only JUST begun when I got home.  I was fatigued. Yes, I needed a drink on a Monday...

After I poured myself a wonderful glass of wine, I was more relaxed and was ready to go. Some women count to 10.  Some women meditate.  Some women go for a walk.  Some women have the patience of Job. Me? I have a glass of wine. #dontjudgeme #redwineisgoodfortheheart #europeansdrinkwinewitheverymeal #Tiffany,weshouldmovetoeurope. LOL.

The child's version of relaxing...is playing!

So, I devised a plan. 

For my younger kids (primary school age), here's what I try to do to ensure they are more relaxed when they do their homework.

1.  Relax time. (3:30 p.m.- 4:15 p.m.) When the kids arrive home, they have "relax time" for 45 minutes. That could mean watching a TV show, playing with their toys, jumping in the bed (I'm kidding, because that's dangerous...blank stare...but we all did it), etc. They need this time because they've just spent all day in school. However, make sure you limit this time.

2.  Snack time. (4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Usually a healthy one they like.

3.  Begin homework. (4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.)  I usually allocate an hour. Depending on which grade your child is in and the amount of homework he/she may have you will have to adjust the time.  Let them do what they can first. As parents we are so quick to jump in and help.  Let them figure out their way.  When they come across something they don't understand then explain but don't do it for them. (**I can already feel the frustration coming on**) Remind them that they can have play time when they have finished everything. (**of course if time permits**)

4.  Bath time. (5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) Mmmmm....nice warm bathe with bubbles.

5.  Dinner time. (6:30 p.m.) This is difficult. With parents coming home at later hours these days, it's not always possible to sit around the table together. Growing up, my family and I sat down for dinner all the time. Society has moved away from this over time.  Dinner time is a great time to really hear and pay attention to the "highs" and "lows" of everyone's day.  If you can at least do it once or twice during the work week, that's great too!

6.  Play time (7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) Use this as an incentive while they are doing their homework.  Be clear that there will be no "play time" if they do not complete the homework.  So don't act up!

7.  Reading time. (8:00 p.m.) Encourage your children to do at least 30 minutes of reading. This is incredibly important. You read too!  If they see you reading, they will be more inclined to read too. Set the example, right?!  Read to them and let them read to you.  Make it fun.

8.  Bedtime. (8:30 p.m.) After you've bonded during reading time.....Ahhhh....thought it would never come!  Bedtime! Tuck the little critters in bed and your "me time" begins! To prepare for tomorrow of course :)

Can you tell I'm all about systems?? How realistic is this schedule for you? Oh, I'm not sure.  I know it doesn't always have to go as planned but it provides me with a guideline.  Modify it to your family. Test it.  See how it goes!  

I feel the same way sweetie....courtesy of torontosun.com

It took my daughter AN HOUR AND A HALF to complete her homework but she did it. She now knows if she doesn't do what she HAS to do she won't be able to do what she WANTS to do. (**she didn't get her play time**) 

Do you fight with your child every night to do homework?  What methods do you use to get them to complete it before sun up!? :)  


Signed, 
a homework hater, Candilaria

2013/2014 SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN

So, the 2013/2014 school year has begun for my bunch.  

My big daughter had her first last day of high school (has entered into grade 12). My baby daughter has entered into grade 2.  Oh, how time flies.  It was just the other day when I met D'ante when she was in grade 4!  Asia was not born yet and here it is she is now in grade 2.  My big son has begun his Sophmore year in college and my baby boy is going into K3.  Holy smokes!

I hope for them a wonderfully productive year. One where they accomplish the goals they have set out for themselves (more so the big kids of course).  I pray for them to have patience and to not become easily frustrated, to ask questions when they do not understand, to remain focused, to have fun, to be helpful and respectful to their teachers and to other students, to have strength, and to take one step at a time. As parents we must assist our children, in every way we can, to become successful individuals.  Education is IMPORTANT!

I'm so proud of them.

The Thompson children

The Thompson Clan

How was your first day back to school? Because yes, we experience it too! 

Tell us about your story! What are your hopes for your child(ren) this year? Share pictures if you like!


Signed, 
A proud momma, Candilaria

A Letter From Your Child's New Teacher

courtesy of elsita.typepad.com

 On behalf of the teacher who will be teaching your child this upcoming school year, I decided to share a few helpful hints teachers would want you to practice before we meet your little darlings. 

Believe it or not but you, yes YOU are your child's first teacher. Imagine another career title to add to your resume.

Some of these tidbits of advice may seem like common sense but knowing what to do and actually doing it is two different things.

As a teacher I implore you to Begin With The End In Mind. Beginning your school year purposefully could just determine the success of the next ten months.

How To Prepare For School

1. Wake your child and get them out of bed this week. 

courtesy of bluejeremiah.wordpress.com

All of us have allowed our children to sleep in. You do not want your child sleeping in class. The first time it may be cute, but your child's teacher will not be amused if it continues to happen. We have a lot of activities planned for our students. We want all of them to be awake. Besides, a sleepy child can distract from a teacher being able to focus on other students who went to bed on time 

and woke up ready to learn.

2. Practice putting on uniform.

Yes. Practice getting dressed. Many students have to get changed for P.E. or swimming at school. You would be surprised how many students do not know how to button a shirt correctly, how to put on socks etc. 

3. Practice packing their bags.

More important than getting dressed is learning how to pack all of their belongings in a bag after getting changed at school. The Lost and Found Department at all schools are filled with items students have left behind haphazardly. If you are like me, I work hard to buy sweaters, water bottles and lunch bags. 

4. Practice writing.

My daughter is going into K- 4. She knows her letters. Earlier this year when I called a letter she would write them. Yesterday we were making a card, I asked her to write a letter d. "I don't remember how to write a 'd'!" Young students need to practice writing the alphabet. Older students need to practice writing a sentence. Old students just need to write. EVERYONE needs to know how to write their name neatly. Here are a few things every student can practice writing.

• Name
• Days of the Week
• Months of the Year
• Number Words
• The date

Have your child write these items. Students in Grade Three or higher should also know how to spell all of these words as well.

5. Practice Timed Activities

The lazy days of summer are over. It will soon be time to complete tasks during a set period of time. Many students have difficulties with getting their work done. To assist with this, start timing your child for everything you ask them to do. "You have three minutes to brush your teeth. You have one minute to get dressed." Or you can count as your child does something.  "I am going to countdown from 50 for you to put on your pajamas. 50, 49, 48..." "Can you put all of these toys away before I count to 20? 1,2,3,...." This simple technique is an easy way to get kids moving. 

One of the hardest tasks a teacher has to master is getting a class of twenty-five or more children to finish an activity at generally the same time so she/he can move onto the next task.

6. Manners, manners, manners!

courtesy of persnicketyprints.com

This week freshen up on all forms of good manners. Teachers love good manners. "Good morning, pardon me, excuse me, how are you, fine thank you, thank you, no thank you!" Eat with utensils, use a napkin." We all know the elements of good manners but we forget to instill them in our children...including me. Let's be intentional in how we train our children to interact with others especially adults!

Believe me I can go on and on but that is enough homework for today. If you are interested in more or if you have a teacher/school related question answered or would like to discuss, feel free to email. I will gladly share a teacher point of view.

Until I teach again,

Tiffany