Tips for Organizing Your Child's School Day

Save Your Sanity: Tips For Organizing Your Child’s School Day

Don’t tell my kids, but I may hate their homework more than they do. In fact, I am really hoping to pass fifth grade. I used to think I was somewhat intelligent. After all, I have a couple degrees. But each day of the week, when my middle son pulls out his homework, I really hope I hope I know enough math, science, and history to get us through. I am ok with the youngest son’s third grade work and the older one seems never to have homework (that is an entirely different blog). But if I hear “Pomp and Circumstance” for fifth grade graduation, I will feel pretty good about myself.

Back to the matter at hand, the homework. The homework, itself, really isn’t the most stressful part of our night. The bigger issue is what is assigned for homework and will any of our sons’ agendas hold actual assignments. Honestly, what I usually find in their school agendas bears a closer resemblance to hieroglyphics. If I ask my boys about their homework, the common response is, “I dunno” or “I forgot.”

Hieroglyphics and blank stares…those, my friends, are what led me to start looking into organizing my kids’ agendas/planners/apps/schedules/time…whatever you want to call it. But the way my kids keep track of their school assignments is the crux of the problem. Being the nerdy mother that I am (much to the chagrin of my husband and ex husband), I started reading about academic organizing and personal organizing, in general.

I don’t have an easy fix for you; however, I do have a framework for success.

Depending on the age of your child, either ask or observe how they keep track of things they want to do. Do they like to write things down? Set a timer? Prefer to organize with electronic applications? Write things on a calendar in a special place?

Pay attention for a few days and make mental notes. Your child’s personality and preferences are going to be the starting point for saving your sanity in the homework wars.

(Introduction to Saving Your Sanity with Academic Organization)

Rachel Divergent is a wife, mother, and educator. She is obsessed with literacy, the brain, and adorable office products.