All I can truly rely on is that DD will break all promises and deals

[Toots]

That is: deals to come at a given time to do reading/write in reading journal/do homework. So at least four times a week we 'negotiate' a time. (She is year 2 btw)
Her 'Much later'
Me 'not much later, you will be too tired. How about x o'clock'.
Her 'Oh, alright then'.
Me 'And you'll come and do it nicely?'
Her 'Yeah' (why wouldn't I?)

At 5 minutes to x o'clock...
Me: 'DD it's 5 minutes to x o'clock'
Her: 'OK'
Me: (thinking, channelling Liza Minelli) 'Maybe this time, I'll be lucky...'

At x o'clock
Me: 'DD it's reading/journal/homework time'
Her: (like I've suggested throwing her into pit of snakes) 'Noooooo!
Me: (dander alread up) 'Yes! We agreed you would come at x o'clock, so come'
Her: 'But I want to x'
Me: 'No, you come now we had a deal.
Cue shrieking, resistance me hauling her into other room and plonking her down, her refusing, me shouting.....eventually her reading/doing journal/homework in perfectly able manner.

Afterwards.

Me: 'Little chat about the worst bit of that being getting to it/giving your word/making promises'
Her: Deaf ears.

Am filling in form for DD2's school nursery and she has same school home agreement, so I should show and remind DD1 that she has signed to say she will do her homework!

We are in really dreadful rut with this. I got so enraged about it yesterday that I couldn't frigging sleep properly. Suggestions please?

Just had forty winks and was hoping to wake to answer!

hi Toots! I have to admit, we never set a time, I just say, DS, time to do your homework. and you can't do xxx until it's done. IME 6-7yr olds don't understand commitment. She will still shriek, but at least you won't have the stress of whether she kept her word or not.

Have had issue with DS Y4 on this subject. We are by no means perfect, BUT he has realised that if he sets to it same day (where poss) it means he has little or none for weekend and so can relax.

I try not to bribe "do homework and you can play on wii" but at same time, if homework done properly no strops and he asks to now play on wii, i would likely allow it even if that doesn't particularly fit in - ie he learns good things happen but not coerced!

He is also beginning to realise that sit down and get on with it actually gets it over and done with in short time!

We were at point (didn't quite need to get there) where i was going to sit with him and get him to work out an "after school timetable" so he was stating when he was watching tv/playing wii/on computer/DOING HOMEWORK

Hi Florenceuk, nice to hear from you! Think that is a very good point, thanks.

Batters, I have threatened to do that but from a place of red mist. I could definitely think about saying it pre-meltdown. I'm sure she is tired but that butters no parsnips really does it? It's just a little worksheet and she ususally quite enjoys doing it.

Flatmouse, glad you didn't have to institute the timetable. I am rubbish at the upkeep of that kind of thing and am regretting some talk I blurted this morning about smileys on charts for stuff...

I do have some leverage. I banned computer use completely several months ago as DD1 and 2 were arguing over it in a way that made an error messge come up and given I work from home and it is essential equipment that was that. But think there would be an interest in a bit of bratz pony time for getting on with it (would I get her off at allotted time is another question...)