How Do Stop Homework Turning into

[xstitch]

a sob fest?

DD has been sobbing her heart out for the last half hour because what is written on the work sheet (not very much) does not match what she thinks she should do. She is now terrified of going to school tomorrow.

I have told her we should do what we think the task is and I would write a note explaining what she had done. I was thinking it would be better to do something than nothing. She has stormed off saying she hates me and won't listen to any attempt to calm her down.

I am losing my sanity.

Just leave it - have another look after you've eaten or whatever. Let a bit of time pass. I sympathise - Maths homework, in particular, would cause both DD and I to have a meltdown.

Is she scared of the teacher? Is she doing OK generally - is the over-reaction part of a bigger issue re not keeping up, or is she a perfectionist? Is she at that hideous prepubescent/no sense of reason stage?

How old?

Anything up to Year 3 and I wouldn't bother with it again. Just write a note to say you are both confused on the instructions.

Or perhaps, get her to do what she thinks she has to do and you will write a note to say that the instructions are confusing.

It certainly isn't worth gettng upset over.

She is only 5. Thing is I can do the homework fine, its more the instructions tend to be vague and it is never clear what part they have to cover IYSWIM. She seems to have difficulty believing mummy could know anything.

I am beginning to worry she is scared of the teacher after this reaction. The teacher has a good reputation. Its difficult to work out what's going on in their head when they won't tell you.

That's what I suggested to her potplant. I said 'We'll do this and Mummy will write a note.' That's what really caused the screaming to set in, her saying 'I'll be in big trouble'

A 5 year old should not be getting so stressed by homework.Totally counterproductive.
Speak to her teacher and take the pressure off (ds had no homework other than reading his favorite book for a month due to similar)

xstitch - YOU can do the homework fine? .

Agree with the others, leave it.

Step back then and let her do whatever she wants with it.

I tend to just let mine get on with it themselves and help if asked (Year 2 though). The teacher has said that they would rather see wrong homework done by the child than 'right' homework done by the parent. That way they can check that the child has understood the lesson.

She clearly hasn't understood the instructions so the teacher should know that either the child doesn't get the work or (most likely) the instructions given are a bit rubbish.

What about calling a friend, find out the definitive of what they have to do. HAve to say when dss were this age there was much phoning around by us mums! Even if all we did was say " see xxx is doing the same as you!"

The instructions generally are vague. We once had an a4 sheet with the instruction both sides please. What had to go on each side I don't know.

I tend to make her do it with me explaining or allowing her to use my fingers for sums IYSWIM.

I feel I am quite often telling her that its OK if you don't understand something, that you just tell the teacher and she will help you. She gets very upset at this prospect.

Unfortunately I don't have the numbers of any other mothers.

If the instructions are often vague, you need to contact the teacher and ask her to make them clearer.

My dd gets her weekly homework on Mondays. Before I look at it she knows exactly what she has to do because the teacher goes through it with them all before she sends it home. I'm sure this takes only 5 minutes but it's so useful.

Its been raised before, They sent a letter home saying that some parents were struggling with the homework. Any such parents should contact the school and they could arrange adult literacy and numeracy classes .

OP, if the school gives utterly duff homework and then suggests you go on a literacy course because you don't understand it, it's time for a homework strike. Your DD is only 5, she will not be ruining her education or some such nonsense.

Write a firm but polite letter to the teacher telling him/her that your DD will not be doing anymore homework until such time as the quality of the assignments improves. If they give you grief, go to the head. If they give your DD grief about it, suggest you go to the governors, OFSTED and anyone else you can get to listen.

I've written notes on homework that I thought was ambiguous and never had any problems. Mind you, I'm quite bolshy.