I had a meeting with a member of staff after dropping my daughter off in school in the morning. By the time I was leaving, I noticed lessons going on already. As I got to the school gate to leave, I saw two boys of about 6 and 7- years- old running so fast to come in. I held the gate for them to get in. Their dad had a younger sibling in the push chair, so he was walking so fast to meet up with the boys.
I noticed the boys were very happy, full of smile, which was a good way to start a day. Because I held the gate for them to get in, they both said “Thank you” to me, and then I replied, You’re welcome. Out of curiosity, I asked them why are you late, and one of them shouted, ” we were doing our homework’’. Then I said OK, I see!”. Their father too replied, “Don’t mind them they like to do their homework in the morning’’, and I said OK and headed back home.
I just kept pondering on the word ‘’they like to do their homework in the morning’’. I honestly did not have any problems with that, but the fact that it is causing them lateness to school is what I wasn’t comfortable with. Forming a habit is so easy, but stopping or changing it can be quite difficult especially with children.
Again, this is where parental role comes to place. Your children are looking up to you for guidance, support, and encouragement as they journey through life. This they can’t achieve by themselves that is why they have you in their lives.
Since they love doing their homework in the morning and is causing them go late to school and even missing out in morning lessons, have you thought of having a meeting with your children to discuss the effects of them doing their homework in morning and how it can affect their academic performance? Have you thought of coming into terms with them to go to bed early so they can wake up on time and have enough time for their homework?
Have you also considered setting rules and principles around homework and homework time that is, when to do it, where to do it, and how to do it just to make it easy for them. Dear parent, I invite you to remember that you’re the one in charge, not your children. The things that ruin a child are those structures, systems, rules, principles, boundaries you fail to put in place in your home.
Also remember that you’re not only training them for the now but also for the future. It is what they learn from you now that they will take to adulthood. I believe you don’t want your child to be turning up at office when everyone else is up and running with their daily tasks. Think about the now and future consequences and ask yourself if that’s what you want for your child/children.
