Motherhood is a duty which never ends. The job profile encompasses almost all aspects and one is expected to be a pro in it. Some brave women are determined to continue with their work/career even after having children. These women in our society are sometimes welcomed with criticism that the home and particularly their child’s study is hampered.
With increased responsibilities and less time being spent at home and children, it is very essential to come up with a plan which benefits your child’s studies too. The role of parents or mere involvement can crucially influence the child’s academic performance. In case of falling grades, the child is likely to ignore since his parents don’t genuinely have time for him. And tell all those people who criticize you, that working mothers have raised many successful and happy people.
Top 15 Tips For Working Mothers To Help Their Children With Homework
Here are a few tips on how you can ace your child’s studies without letting your career in the way:
1. Set a goal:
With the beginning of each term, make time to sit with your child, go through the syllabus, review previous grades and set a new benchmark which you and your child will together achieve this term. The goal should be realistic and set together
2. Devise schedule together:
The hours that your child should be devoting to studies can be determined to avoid unnecessary arguments. Or the best is instead of assigning hours, why not let him master a specific lesson? It may take 2 hours or just a half an hour – the condition is perfection of lesson. This way you can allot specific lessons to be finished in a week etc.
3. Plan daily routine:
Most of the parents lose their cool because they see their kids wasting the time, maybe watching television or playing video games. The truth could be that they have been studying whole noon whilst you were in office. If there is a set schedule, less time is wasted; your child is kept busy in a productive way; approved by you. Refrain from jumping to conclusions and scolding your child before you ascertain the situation
4. Keep in touch with the syllabus:
It’s very important to know what your child is studying and what the progress is. Keep yourself updated with the online media, these days all progress reports are also shared online! Look up the terms that are new on the internet and get a basic understanding. You do not want to be caught unaware when your child mentions today we finished “Limits” in the school. Well, “limits” is a lesson in Algebra!
5. Keep progress in check:
Following up is an essential part of study. You need to check yourself whether he has actually understood a mathematical concept or scientific term by taking quick oral tests or short written tests. Indulge in short, surprise tests, they are better indicators of what has been learned and how well!
6. Be creative:
Its very well known that kids are made to write lessons, complete homework and sit for examinations. And to add to this, they have to sit tests at home and tuition too. The trick is to evaluate their learning without them realizing that you are doing so. How? Involving studies in your daily conversation, just a casual chit chat about problematic English comprehension while driving? Now that’s smart!
7. Help apply learned matter in real life:
The stuff learned and applied practically goes a very long way. Though there will be some areas that will remain theoretical, there would still be some subjects that can be made interesting by practical knowledge. Organize a trip to Science center or planetariums, which have all the equipment to practice these concepts. Take a trip to a new place and get the history of the place all well learnt!
8. Never miss PTA:
Whether your child’s progress at home matches that at school, any weak areas or tips can be grasped only through the parent teacher’s meeting. Missing a Parent teacher meeting will send out wrong signals to your child so make sure you make time for the PTAs well in advance to avoid any last minute schedule hacks. By being there, you are passing on the message to your kid that you are very serious about his studies and keep a check on it
9. Do not poke in everything:
Do not sit at his head asking if he has any queries or difficulties. Let him come with problems to you. Encourage independent study
10. Provide conducive environment:
Now if children are alone at home, they may easily bluff that they adhere to the study schedule, but instead they had a gala time watching TV. Use “child lock” on TV, video games, wherever possible, you can set specific hours where these can be accessed. Make sure you provide a stress free, distract free environment to your child to study.
- Once ensured, that your kid is free from the overly distracting electronic equipment, provide him all the amenities required during study, such as pencils, eraser, scale, etc.
- Take care of the study desk, lighting and instruct other family members to minimize noise during the study hours
11. Enforce study rules:
No phones, no music during study hours. Instill the habit of studying on the study table and not lying on the bed
12. Become a good role model:
You may want to sit with your work papers with your child, while he studies. Avoid using Facebook or Whatsapp while doing your work, use desk, avoid chit chatting on the phone when trying to make your kid study, and never ever complain how tired and exhausted you are particularly when the child is doing some lesson. Basically, exercise the healthy habits and kid will follow suit
13. Focus on weak subjects:
Identify the weak subjects and come up with creative solutions. Using interactive media, it breaks the monotony and inculcates interests
14. Be consistent:
Do not break the study habit. For instance, during vacations set up a different study schedule. Long gaps in studies make it difficult to get back on the track. Studies should not be skipped on any day, even if its Sunday make your kid study for 1-2 hours
15. Develop writing habit:
Writing is the key for success in academics. It not only helps memorize better, but improves handwriting and spellings too
In addition to this, ensure sufficient sleep and healthy meals to the kids. Follow the above tips to help your kid sail smoothly in academics. Along with this, you yourself need to be on a schedule and plan your work accordingly. An urgent meeting or over-time at work is unavoidable sometimes, but do ensure that baring some urgent situations, you are there to help and motivate your child when it comes to academics. These will help strike a healthy balance in your association with your child’s studies and your own career! Do not rely completely on private tuition, it’s your interest that will make a difference! Always remember helping your child to study is a matter of planning and habit, not a lack of time.
