Anonymous wrote:My son (10) does his homework right after school. He *hates* doing his homework, so the longer he waits, the less he wants to do it and will get cranky.

I've started paying my oldest DD (17) to tutor him after school and it's been a big help. She earns money, he gets lesson help and his homework gets done.

Forgot to add his "schedule":

2:15PM-Gets home, has a snack and quick unwind
3:00PM-My oldest DD gets home
3-4PM: Homework/tutoring time (most of the time, it doesn't even take this long; probably closer to 30 minutes)

So, after 4PM he's done and doesn't have the homework cloud hanging over him.

My son (10) does his homework right after school. He *hates* doing his homework, so the longer he waits, the less he wants to do it and will get cranky.

I've started paying my oldest DD (17) to tutor him after school and it's been a big help. She earns money, he gets lesson help and his homework gets done.

When do these kids play with others and just have down time alone? Doesn't seem to fit into the schedule.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is a 5th grader too. Her schedule is below:

3:45pm arrives home
3:45-4:30pm snack, video game, tv whatever
4:30-6:30pm home work, reading
6:30-7:30pm dinner/relax
7:30-8:15pm shower, dessert
8:15-9:00pm piano (+15 min. piano before school)
9:00-10:00pm violin

This schedule has been in effect since 1st gr. so far working pretty well.

This is a pretty regimented schedule. I'm glad it works in your family but I'd bever be comfortable with it. Also, it definitely will be a challenge to keep this us in middle school when the homework will take longer.

Piano and violin practice time is under the assumption that home work is completed. If not, piano/violin time change to Home Work. It is essential for kids to live in a routine schedule. They need to know what they are supposed to be doing.
DC enjoys music, and wants to pull out more beautiful sounds from the piano/violin. 60 min./day practice time flies by, and really not enough.
DC gets min. 9 hr of sleep daily. School (GT) starts at ~8:45am.
Family time is the dinner/relax/dessert time. We (DH, DC, and me) talk about our days ans share our thoughts.
DH and I are still actively involve with DC's video game/HW/piano/violin. It not like doing it alone. We enjoy each others company.

It may not work for everyone, but it work well in our family which has only one child.