...TACKLING AFTER SCHOOL ROUTINES AND HOMEWORK

I'm a bit of an overzealous mom, I'm not ashamed to say (well maybe a little ashamed) so I've been giving munchkin "homework" for a little while now. In my mind - to balance out the "screen time" guilt and make sure she was "in the know" and on track from a learning perspective. (I LOVE these Kumon and BrainQuest books).  But this year - 1st Grade is the first year she's had actual homework from school. So as we are getting into the routine of carpool and after school activities, I've found it helpful to get some organization around our new REAL homework.

Side thought: I am still a little new at this mama thing, still having a lot of firsts, so sometimes I have these surreal moments like, "Wow, I am REALLY somebodies mama and helping this little person with their homework?!! CRAZY?

But I digress. I wanted to share what we were doing around here as it relates to after school routines and homework in case it was helpful to you...

In an effort to stay sane and not run around like a crazy person when we get home, we try very hard to do something like this:

10 mins     Unpacking backpacks and waterbottles and such

We spend some time getting every thing out of the car. Otherwise it continues to look like I am planning on driving cross country and have packed all the necessary items. So out come the backpacks and sweaters and shoes and books and toys that seem to make their way into the car every day. 

20 mins     PBS Kids/Snack Time

I do like to make sure she has a little time to unwind from the day before we jump in to tackling homework if possible. It keeps the eye rolling (from both sides) to a minimum.

15-20 mins     Homework/Dinner Prep

The teachers are very organized with homework and thankfully munchkin is pretty well self directed. I read over the instructions with her to make sure she understands and then step in the kitchen to start preparing dinner, popping over to answer any questions she might have.

15 mins     Chores

For the six year old consists of putting away the silverware. Hopefully at some point in the day I have emptied the dishwasher.

15 mins     Violin Practice

Little h likes to sit next to his "sissy" with his toy Ukelele and practice. This cracks me up and gets on her nerves simultaneously. 

15 mins     Spend some time playing with little h 

In an attempt to foster a good relationship between those two who are 3.5 years apart, I try to force gently encourage them to hang out doing something they both like - reading, puzzles, sword fighting?

45 mins     Free Time

A couple times during the week we have after school activities in which case, "free time" is cut shorter. But this is the hang time before dinner.

Dinner

That little person in the back is watching Sesame Street, or Leap Frog Counting Circus, or something with letters and numbers (homework prep) don't judge me:-) 

Oh this little "homework" caddy makes things much easier at homework time too. Everything we need to do our homework in one space, so we aren't searching for glue and scissors and tape. I even stick these little Annies Homegrown Organic cookies as a little treat to make homework time a bit more enjoyable.

For us it helps to have a:

Designated space: A clean and clear dining room table works for us. I like to have her close so that I can get to her quickly with questions or help, and not too far away because she doesn't prefer to be off all alone.

Designated Time: Knowing what to expect when we get home helps to keep down on the frustration of ripping her away from playing and makes homework less of a dreaded activity.

Designated Tools: The 'Homework Caddy" is off limits for any other activities/crafts. That way its always stocked and ready to go.

Distractions for the little brother: A younger sibling can prove to have its share of distractions when trying to get homework done, So I try very hard to keep him occupied - we color when she's doing her homework, play the ukelele when she's doing violin and I try and have him "help" me in the kitchen when she's doing homework.

THIS IS SO EXHAUSTING.   So far its working out pretty good.

Any sanity saving tips you'd like to share are SO WELCOME HERE.

xxB

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I'M OBSESSED.

I'm obsessed. With this little doodle (and Kraft paper).

I'm obviously a novice, but I've started drawing her little stick figure on everything. It all started with me making a bit of stationery for the munchkin to write to her friends and out of town family over the summer and now - Birthday Cards, Thank You cards…  and now this To Do List. I went back and forth a bit on whether or not I was scarring my almost six year old by burdening her with such organizational aspirations… But I just couldn't help me self.. 

Kind of a "first draft" - Next go around I'll put these in order. Munchkin is obsessed with knowing what the date is. Probably due to her impending birthday in a few weeks. 

Somebunny's turning six - WOOT. 

So I help her spell the month and she get's to it (after breakfast in our pajama's). I'm hoping this will help keep some sanity (for both of us), especially once the hustle and bustle of school starts. 

My favorite item is "Play with Avery. They are about 3 1/2 years apart in age and I really want them to be close so I try really hard to make sure to encourage them to spend time together (If she reads to him she get's to cross off two items at once) playing and such. He's only two so his attention span can be quite maddening to her and me, but she's learning patience and compassion (and teaching me a thing or two)...

I'm thinking of having these serve triple duty:

1. 5 completed slips at the end of the week gets $5 allowance.

2. Coloring Sheet/Tool to teach responsiblility, and foster a sense of accomplishment.

3. One completed slip gets an hour and a half of "screen time".

** I'm also hoping she'll be so busy reading and playing that we won't have much time (or desire) for screen time.. I'll let you know how that turns out:-)

I realize that most of these things she should be doing anyway (without some 'award' tied to it), and I'm sure the list will evolve over time. 

 Some other doodles:

a birthday card for grand mommy, a thank you card for invitation to lunch.

Anyway, just wanted to share.

Are you doing an allowance? Are routine's helpful for you and your littles or does being a bit more laid back work for you? 

Just being nosy:-)

xxB

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