If You Have Schoolagers

[TigerLily]

Do you do homework?

[Play Care]

I provide a quiet space, pencils and pens but that's the extent. I'm not comfortable taking the responsibility of helping with homework, especially if I explain something incorrectly, etc.

[Second Home]

I have in the past but not anymore . I would help the kids because I wanted to , then the dcd would get mad if I did not help and get all of his 2 kids homework done before be picked them up .

[sharlan]

I ASSIST with homework. I have a quiet place, all necessary things (pencils, paper, crayons, scissors, glue, etc) on the table. I will answer all questions to the best of my ability - I have no idea when it comes to my grandsons' Mandarin.

I am NOT responsible and will not fight with a child over homework. If they don't want to do it or can't stay on task, it's put away and the parents can deal with it. It's not my job.

I recently had an interview for 2 adorable little girls. The mom wanted their homework done right after school. Great, not a problem. The mom chose not to come here when I said that I would not force them nor fight with them over homework. She wanted it done so she didn't have to deal with it after work. NOT MY PROBLEM.

[TigerLily]

I only have one SA (besides my son who is in Kindy). DCM is HEAVILY hinting that she wants it done here, I have no interest in doing so. I don't discourage her from doing it, but I also do not tell her to do it. I have a strong feeling that if i open the door I will soon be doing all projects, book reports, etc.

As it is she came here on the last day of spring break - having been home the previous week - with supplies to do a project due the next day. I flat out told her I would do what I could but there were 4 other children here as well. It went home unfinished because dcg wasn't interested in doing it.

[Play Care]

I only have one SA (besides my son who is in Kindy). DCM is HEAVILY hinting that she wants it done here, I have no interest in doing so. I don't discourage her from doing it, but I also do not tell her to do it. I have a strong feeling that if i open the door I will soon be doing all projects, book reports, etc.

As it is she came here on the last day of spring break - having been home the previous week - with supplies to do a project due the next day. I flat out told her I would do what I could but there were 4 other children here as well. It went home unfinished because dcg wasn't interested in doing it.

I am very upfront with parents about what I will do - which is to offer a quiet spot and pencils/pens. The last twenty minutes of day care is table activity and I will encourage them to start homework if they have it, but that is *all* I will do.

I firmly believe that homework is a parents responsibility to oversee.

And before anyone chimes in with how they work until 5 or 6 and have to make dinner and blah blah blah, SO DO I!!! And guess what?! My child's education, including homework and other school projects, is MY responsibility to oversee.

[TwinKristi]

Yes, tomorrow is his last day though so it will just be my own SA kids. We sit down right after they get home, work on homework, have a snack and then they can play. He doesn't HAVE TO do it, but I provide them with the opportunity to do it. Ultimately its up to the parents to make sure its done correctly and such.

[Soccermom]

I did when I had only school age (We had a 30 minute homework or quiet reading time everyday at 4pm) but this year I have all mixed ages so it is impossible.

[mom2many]

Yes, I offer them a snack and then they do their h/w. They work independently for the most part, but I will help them if they need it.

[Starburst]

Where I used to work, one of the assistants would pick up the school-agers around the end of nap time (3pm) and it would be free choice for the youngers and homework time for the olders (about an hour) and around 4 it would be afternoon snack time. After snack they would either finish any left over homework or free play.

I think most parents expect that if you do have after-schoolers that you will help them with their homework (to an extent), so that when they pick the kid up they can go home and relax. Homework is just practice and review of what they have been learning the last few days and most of the time they don't need help (maybe a little guidance to stay on task). If they do ask for help you just have to remember to not do it all for them and to not help with every problem after that unless they had a chance to do it on their own first (something I usually struggled with too).

But at the very least, look over their homework when they are done. There was 9 year old girl I used to babysit and every time she came home from school I would have her do her homework at the kitchen table and read for 1/2 to an hour after that (with a snack). Well, she never asked for help and I knew she was in a play but one day during pick up I talked to her principal and who said that was no longer in the play because she was failing (her mother never told me this). I started checking her homework and all of the answers were wrong. Though, I think some of the reason was because she was depressed because they just moved their and I later found out that they were living in a hotel (unstable home life) and I think some of it was a cry for attention as well.

[daycarediva]

I am very upfront with parents about what I will do - which is to offer a quiet spot and pencils/pens. The last twenty minutes of day care is table activity and I will encourage them to start homework if they have it, but that is *all* I will do.

I firmly believe that homework is a parents responsibility to oversee.

And before anyone chimes in with how they work until 5 or 6 and have to make dinner and blah blah blah, SO DO I!!! And guess what?! My child's education, including homework and other school projects, is MY responsibility to oversee.

I wish I could favorite this!

EXACTLY! I work 60 hours a week with children in care alone (which is still above a 40 hour work week with a hefty commute).

I help my kids with homework after hours. MY JOB as a parent.

[NeedaVaca]

I wish I could favorite this!

EXACTLY! I work 60 hours a week with children in care alone (which is still above a 40 hour work week with a hefty commute).

I help my kids with homework after hours. MY JOB as a parent.

Exactly! My DD is 10 and she comes home from school and starts her homework, she gets through as much as she can by herself and anything she needs help with doesn't happen until my last DCK is gone. There is no way I can sit with her/focus while I have a bunch of little ones. I don't see why DCP's can't do the same, come home from work and help their kids with school work, it's part of being a parent...

[Second Home]

Homework is just practice and review of what they have been learning the last few days and most of the time they don't need help (maybe a little guidance to stay on task).

Not here . Our kids are given work to try and do at home then they go to school the next day to review and then learn what they could not complete in their homework the night before .

Thank you common core .

[Lucy]

I have nothing to do with their homework unless they ask me a question. If I feel like it deserves more than a very quick answer or explanation, I tell them to ask Mom or Dad tonight.

I don't even tell them to DO their homework. I have 2 Kinders, and one each in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. The Kinders and the 3rd grader never even touch their backpacks after school, but the 4th and 5th graders will often get homework out and do some of it at my table. It's fine with me either way. I neither encourage nor discourage it. They're old enough to decide. If the parents EXPECTED them to get it done here, that's the kid's problem. I won't nag them to do it. If they get it out, fine. If they finish it, great. If it stays in their backpack, let Mom get mad at them. Personal responsibility.

Regarding questions or requests for help, IF I'M NOT BUSY, I'll briefly explain a vocab definition or how to add fractions... stuff like that (I'm really good at math, so it's quick and easy). But if it's beyond me or requires more in-depth explanations and/or delving into their schoolbooks to see just what the heck the teacher is looking for - well then it's up to the parent.

[Lucy]

"...Homework is just practice and review of what they have been learning the last few days and most of the time they don't need help (maybe a little guidance to stay on task)..."

Not here . Our kids are given work to try and do at home then they go to school the next day to review and then learn what they could not complete in their homework the night before .

Thank you common core .

I know! No kidding!!! My 5th grader comes up with whoppers of math questions and I'll ask "well, how did the teacher explain it?" He says "She didn't!!"

I really disagree with Common Core. Many of the states are starting to opt out of it.