Dayna 7/23/18 Dayna 7/23/18

Ending the Homework Battle!

We are talking about "Back to School" here on the blog and I wanted to get you thinking about Homework. I know-I know- who wants to think homework before school even starts?! Right? But I guarantee your child is thinking about it and dreading it. In fact, it may be a reason your child is grumbling about the return to school.

I know for some families, homework is a time of chaos-yelling-tears-and maybe tantrums. This is one time where the whole family may complain and want to just give up on school. Let's face it, homework is not going away. In fact, it's a vital tool for your child's learning. I can't believe I'm supporting homework! It is proven that practice makes skills easier and helps your child to retain what they have learned. If they can go home and do the work, then they've gotten the hang of the new skill. So, how do we take the battle out of homework time?

Here are a few tips:

Set a consistent time to do homework----This could be immediately after school or after a break from school. For my family, we allow some time to play and have a snack. Especially when days get shorter and the sun goes down early. Children sit most of the day at school and come home wound up with energy that needs to be used. It's ok to give them time to move. This does not mean watching tv or playing video games. Get them moving! They may even be able to focus much easier after this. Do not wait until right before bedtime to do homework!!!! Your child will be tired and this will turn into a battle!
Have a quiet place set up for homework.---This could be a desk, kitchen table, or in their rooms. Give other siblings who may not be doing homework a busy activity so they are not bothered. Make sure there are no distractions like the tv or ipod's around for texting.
Be around for support.---If your child needs help, how do they let you know? Do they cry out angrily "I don't understand this!!!" Let them know when to ask for help. This is such an important lesson to teach early because we all need support sometimes, and often those adults who have high stress levels are those who struggle to ask for help when needed. Teach them early how to ask for help. Walk in and check on them after about 10 minutes to make sure they don't need help and talk to them about how proud you are that they are working so hard.
Don't lose your cool!---Homework can be stressful for parents too. When my son was in 4th grade and common core math started, I wanted to beat my head on the table. I just could not wrap my brain around the concepts he was learning. That was a long evening of googling and texting other moms for help. But I remained calm and it actually became quite funny. Don't get frustrated if you don't understand and know how to support your child. Do have some people on backup who may be able to help. Maybe dad is good at Math and mom is good at Language Arts. Take turns where your strengths lie or call a friend. And if that doesn't work, simply use your own coping skills and help them to do their best. Then, let the teacher know you are unable to help with that subject. If your child is struggling with it, make the teacher aware so they know they will have to give them some extra support to get it.
Don't allow complaining and whining. Let your child know before school starts what your plan is to help them get homework done and make it less stressful. Set up a reward for them to get it done when asked and not whine or throw fits about it. Celebrate when they finish-look over it to ensure they did it correctly-give them some free-time and maybe a favorite treat to show them how proud you are of their effort and their attitude.

If you haven't signed up for my Back to School series, there's still time. You will receive 3 emails with tips to make this year a success! Just click here to get started!

Let us know in the comments what your homework routine looks like!

This is going to be a great year!

Dayna

P.S.

If you would like more Parenting Support, sign up here for a Parent Group. Watch this video about my goal for this group. Not sure what group is? Read here for information.

Dayna 7/20/18 Dayna 7/20/18

It's That Time of Year Again! Back to School!!!

It's that time of year again! Back to School time! Sign up for my free back to school email series where I will share 3 simple steps to take the stress out of Back to School time.

Summer is going to be wrapping up soon, and everyone is talking "Back to School". The days of avoiding that dreaded word "school" are over! It's time to start thinking about school supplies, homework, back to school shopping, and routine!

I'm here to help you make this year's transition easy peasy with some simple tips for getting you and your children ready for that big day aka THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Let's start this year off with less crying, whining, and fighting in the mornings-during homework-and at bedtime!

Who's with me?

I will be talking to you soon!

Dayna

P.S. Comment below and let me know what your biggest struggle is with getting back into the school routine.

Dayna 8/28/17 Dayna 8/28/17

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!!!

Keep a lookout for an awesome resource I am adding for parents to help with the stress of getting your kids Back To School!

I have reached out to parents and teachers to ask them what the Biggest Struggles are with Back to School!

I will be offering tips on making this transition Stress free and Drama Free!

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If you would like to make sure I address issues you need help with, then leave a comment below and I will try to include it in my offer!

Don’t forget to check back in a few days to get a chance to sign up for this opportunity to start the school year off Stress Free and Drama Free!

Dayna 8/28/17 Dayna 8/28/17

JUST IN TIME FOR BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

I am BURSTING AT THE SEAMS ready to share all these Back to School resources for Parents that I’ve been working on! My wheels have been spinning and I have been writing and creating, writing and creating!

Back To School

Writing and Creating here!

I will be providing tips on how to help Teen Anxiety. Back to School resources for parents. Tips on Parenting children.

I’m in the midst of getting a new website up and going. We are in the draft stages now and time is ticking down until it is up and going. I cannot wait!

This new website is going to open the doors for my ability to share more with you and to provide Parenting tips, Parenting Support, resources YOU need for YOUR Teens and Children!

Just a sneak peak at what I’ve been working on:

Free Routine Checklist!

My Top 5 Tips for Battling Anxiety

3-2-1 Approach to Take Control of Your Anxiety

5 Reasons Groups Rock!

…And my Back to School Series:

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