Many parents encounter frustration when they attempt to help their children with homework.  Here are some tried and true ways to help:
 
     Set up a workable homework schedule.  Study time should depend on your family’s schedule.  Decide, with your children, on a time for them to do homework.  Maintain the schedule as much as possible.
 
     Encourage your children to complete class work at school.  Some children put off doing their work at school if they know they can bring it home.
 
     Monitor your children while you are doing another task.  Keep an eye on the situation, but don’t encourage helplessness and dependency by sitting with your children as they study.  Homework is their obligation, and they should take responsibility.
 
     Organize and prioritize.  Children sometimes get overwhelmed with the enormity of a task.  Help your youngsters get organized and decide which assignments to complete first.
 
     Check completed homework assignments.  If there are errors, go over the work with your children until they understand, then allow them to correct it.  This will give them a sense of accomplishment, and they will be secure in the knowledge that their work is correct.
 
     Send the teacher a note about problems.  If your children have honestly tried but simply do not understand a particular assignment, concept, or process, the teacher should be made aware of the situation.
 
     Following these common sense guidelines can prevent frustration and make homework time more rewarding for both you and your children.