“Often times, parents go negative,” warns Deborah Tillman, star of America’s Supernanny. “The child says, ‘I’m not doing my homework!’ The parent says, ‘Yes you are doing the homework!’ Then it’s back-and-forth and arguing. Cut that out! What I do is: homework time for the whole family; everybody’s going to do something. When I’m going around the country working with children, I’ve actually put all the children at the table: a preschooler, an eleventh grader, a middle schooler. Everybody’s doing homework at homework time. Then it’s a lot easier because they feel like they’re not alone.
“What you want to do is to motivate, but you want to make sure a child understands that homework is nonnegotiable. You’re not going to have this long philosophical conversation with the child. They need to know: ‘Homework is nonnegotiable, because you’re in school and it’s your job to do the homework. Mommy and Daddy will help you as much as we can, but you have to do your homework. There’s no such thing as not doing your homework if you live in the house. We’re not going to have a battle about homework.'”
Here’s how 4 other parenting experts say to respond…
Adele Faber
The famed How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk author offers her expert advice on exactly what to say to a homework-hating child. Format: Article
Christine Carter
The Raising Happiness author and child development expert explains two surprising things kids need to focus on their homework. Format: Video (2:09)
Madeline Levine
When it comes to homework troubles, the famed psychologist and The Price of Privilege author cautions parents against coming to your child’s rescue. Format: Video (1:20)
Sara Bennett
If your elementary schooler is unhappy about her nightly workload, the author of The Case Against Homework says it’s OK to do the unimaginable. Format: Article
Get more tips and advice from America’s Supernanny Deborah Tillman.
