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A Little Help With Homework

Homework has become the bain of my existence. Literally. If ever there was child adverse to doing homework, it would be Preston. If he could, I’m sure he would claim that he is allergic to it. He does actually rub his head and start complaining about being stressed which I have unfortunately not given enough weight to in the past. It does stress him out and he’s already had a long day of having to sit still, focus and do classwork assignments. It has taken me from the time he gets home to the time he goes to bed and chasing him around the house to get him to sit down and do his homework at times. He also flat out tells me that he just isn't going to do it. Oooo, that one makes my blood boil. Let me tell you, by the end of the night I’m done!

I asked the psychologist about what to do as duct-taping or tying him to the chair didn’t seem like the greatest option (although I really did consider it one night!). He suggested that I continue to re-direct his focus. I stated that Preston oftentimes has entered another realm, running through the house pretending his fingers are airplanes and he’s shaking his head and screaming for the people on board his fingers who are dying a horrible fiery death. How do you get that ‘re-directed?’ He stuck with it and said just keep pushing him in that direction. And to stay calm. I also take advantage of the fact that Preston makes requests of me throughout the night and I can answer, “I’d love to do that for you as soon as your homework is done.” Amazingly, both work. He may not get his homework done right when he gets home from school, but he does eventually settle down to do it. Last night it was around 7:00, but he did it. The other night I told him he could outside and play if he did his spelling. He did indeed go outside and I thought for sure he had ditched his homework but on the table, there it sat done. There are some nights that it doesn't happen and hell would have to freeze over before it would get done. I try not to get all bent out of shape on this and try again the next day. What else do you do?

Give up the chase, re-direct and leverage their requests and sometimes let it go. Employ and enjoy.

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