Strategies for encouraging reluctant DC (homework etc)

[CrumpledCrumpet]

What are you best strategies for encouraging your DC when they’re struggling and reluctant to do homework (or anything else they are finding challenging?).

DH and I seem to have quite different approaches when DS (8) is digging his heels in (it’s a bit good cop, bad cop) and I’m not sure anything is working particularly effectively.

Any suggestions?

Both my boys were exactly the same as this op in fact my youngest son barely wrote more than 3 sentences for his homework all with us breathing down his neck whereas his peers were very productive. He is now doing A levels after receiving good Gcse results
In retrospect I would handle my son slightly differently by getting him to concentrate on the subjects which interest him, explore different learning types as he may be a visual learner who enjoys watching 'YouTube' educational videos. By encouragement he won't dig his heals in once he gets to high school and the subjects change to anything other than sums/writing he may be more engaged.

We’re lucky that our school don’t give too much homework, but my daughter hates doing anything school related at home. We have reached an accord where she can do a bit on a Sunday and the rest in mornings before school. I’ve told her it’s non-negotiable and if she doesn’t do it she’s the one who will be explaining to the teacher why not. That seems to be enough to get her to do it, but she is a fairly easy going kid generally and hated the idea of having to tell her teacher why homework wasn’t done.

If you have time, sit down and be their Teaching Assistant. If you can carve out a set time each day, that's even better. Ensure he's adequately fed and watered beforehand. Eight is quite young to expect much independent learning.

I'm with @BlueChampagne. I think keeping them company is pretty crucial. Decent snack and a drink first, and a suggested time limit with a change at the end - "Come on DS, would you like a yoghurt (or whatever) before we have a look at that maths? Then we can do XYZ when we're done". You could try and slowly wean them off support without withdrawing your company e.g. you read the first question with them and ask them if they know what to do, and you sit next to them with your cup of tea working on something that you need to do so you are there for support but not micromanaging/applying pressure.

Bribery?

Getting them to look on YouTube / BBC Bitesize for help?

What sort of homework is it? I don't really think homework is an age appropriate activity for children under 10/11 - reading and spellings/times table practice is fine and important but other than that if it's worksheets etc I'd just set him off for 15 minutes then hand in whatever he's done/not done.