So yes, the homework started

Remember how I was saying before that the kids didn't have any homework yet?

Well yes, the deluge started the following week.

While, on the one hand, I like to do homework and such (like the arts and crafts) with the kids, I still feel like they are only 6 and I feel they should be playing more!

I even found myself saying to a mom the other day, "no, they can only do playdates on a Friday" - who am I? Usually I'm all for the socialising.



We're slowly getting into the routine because I don't want to be forcing kids to do homework every day.

Here's what we're doing so far:

1. Nanny S does draft 1.
2. When we get home from work, we check that they've done it properly and tick the list.
3. We had to have a talk with Nanny and the kids because they all seemed to think the point of homework is to fly through it. And so I said this - you can do it fast and do it again when I get home, or you can do it a little bit slower and take more care, and do it once. That fixed it all. 
4. On a Thursday, I do a thorough check again because the folder lives at school over the weekend.
5. We've had one show and tell already - I emailed the teacher and she told me they both did well, so there's that. In my opinion, the show and tell is to make the parents work! 
6. Key tip - we have to separate the kids otherwise they distract one another and the whole story takes a lot longer

I am a different sort of mother (and it turns Dr Kevin Leman approves of my tough mothering approach) - I do my bit to support but I let them at it. I passed Sub A a million years ago, as I tell them. So I printed the pics they wanted, and provided cardboard and glue stick, and they did their things themselves. Then we listened for 3 days running, and that was it. Their projects looked very different but they are very different kids.

There's another thing too - the kids are way advanced for what is required, for example they have to count up to 20, and back down again as one of their many things every day. They try and tell me that they only need to count to 20, and I had to say that if you can do something comfortably, you need to stretch yourself.


 "But the teacher said...." and I say, "I know what's best for you because you're my kids". Oh dear.

Seriously, I said the teacher is looking after 26/28 kids so she needs to make sure all of you can do something at the same level. I know you can do more so you will practise that here with me.

Anyway, they eventually got it. I think.

I do give a star every week (only one star at the end of the week because homework, is after all, their job at this level) for a good attitude while doing their homework.



Tell me about your homework situation.

Are you coping? Who does the homework supervision? Share your tips and tricks.

PS which is your favourite photo?