Being there for your kids - Awlays start where your child is

Episode Date: May 9, 2020

Having to deal with all of this pandemic stuff and we also have to help our kids stay on top of their schoolwork? Really?? Yep, that's a sign of our times. How you get started with this task will set the tone for how it's achieved. Use your active listening to hear your child's upset and frustration. When you see the emotional fever subside, start problem-solving. Plan ahead and stick to your plan. Set parameters. Alternate fun with work. Be with him in the moment. You've got this. You can get through it together.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. Recently, I posted my top 10 tips for homeschooling success, whether it's just helping with homework or being full-time homeschooled teacher to your kids. Now I'm elaborating on each item on the list. Parenting tip number one is this. Always start where your child is. Help him get past the barriers. These are hard pandemic times for all of us.

Our routines are thrown out the window. For kids, middle schoolers and high schoolers are struggling to adapt to online schooling, while elementary school kids are getting worksheets and emails from their teachers. As parents, what are we to do? For helping your child with homework or for homeschooling them, use your active listening skills to understand where their mind is and to problem solve how to get past the barriers, the new ways of doing schoolwork. Okay, baby, your teacher just sent this folder of schoolwork for you to do.

Number one, since you know that things are changing with her schooling, plan ahead and talk to your child about a strategy before the work arrives. This way she'll know what to expect. Number two, agree on a set start and finish time each day for schoolwork. This given will derail her stalling tactics and excuses for not getting down to work. Number three, don't multitask while teaching your child. Join her in her designated study space, hopefully a desk in her bedroom. For elementary school kids, be next to her child.

to her for the duration of homework and schoolwork, available to answer questions and to guide her efforts. For middle and high schoolers, check in at least every 15 minutes to assure that they continue on task. Your child's enthusiasm for the work will guide your availability to her. And number four, set aside four hours per weekday to be there with your child for helping her complete the work. If you are able to do your job from home, set up shop next to your child and work in parallel. During that time, alternate fun stuff with school and work stuff in 20 to 30 minute intervals. Take a break for 10 minutes every 30 minutes to re-energize. Also, for elementary school kids, build recess into each school day.

These efforts in getting your child started and staying on task will bear fruit. They will be able to keep up with the schoolwork, and you both will be building healthy bonding in the process. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist, and Christian author of Teachable Mom. building blocks of Christian parenting. And this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting is available online at Amazonbooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC-P-I-N-C.com.