Guest post by Jenny Lee Sulpizio
It happens every year, doesn’t it? The excitement that transpires the instant our kids get out of school for summer. It’s a day where we as moms, can’t help but breathe a huge sigh of relief.
No more homework, class assignments nor special projects. No more early morning alarm clocks, lunches to pack or after-school activities to deal with either.
We’re free from routine, and structure…and lets’ be honest here, the mayhem that comes along with getting our kids prepped and ready for school each and every morning.
But those three months of freedom? Well, as we’re all starting to realize (right about now)—they come to an end much too quickly, don’t they? With a brand new school year upon us, and classes resuming around the country, it’s time to begin.
All. Over. Again.
Sigh.
In my recently-released book, Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe: On a Mission to Save Sanity, One Mom at a Time, I wanted to tackle this topic and address the importance of our attitude(s) as they pertain to the education of our kids. Oh, and I also wanted to offer up some tips to get us moms ready and motivated to confront a brand new school year.
Are you ready?
Now, I’ll be the first to admit how easily aggravated I become with approaching deadlines and what seems to be an all-too-consuming curriculum at times. And as a mom who’s attempting to wear way too many hats–and as much as I hate to admit this–there have been a number of instances where I’ve found myself grumbling, mumbling, and sighing at the mere mention of schoolwork. There have been plenty of times where I’ve even balked at the opportunity to assist my children with their studies, all because I was too busy tending to my own chores, errands, and responsibilities. I mean, who does that?
Well, unfortunately I have—which makes this next statement even more important. Ladies, don’t underestimate our children’s perception of us, and their awareness of our attitudes, our reactions, and the way we approach different aspects of our lives. They see the eye-rolls, they hear those sighs, and they pick up on the stress we succumb to…and then? Then they repeat those behaviors. Oy!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Colossians 3:23
Yep. Our attitude as it pertains to our children’s schoolwork is uber-important, so let’s figure out a system that works for us and our kids, shall we?
Here are just a few of the tips you can use to help stave off stress, motivate your mind, and embrace the upcoming workload.
The Homework Rules: A+ Advice
1) Establish a Homework Routine: Structure is key when tackling nightly assignments so figure out a routine that works best for you and your brood each day and stick to it. Like I said, structure is key.
2) Set Guidelines: More than likely, your kids aren’t huge fans of homework, however, they do love to play outside, participate in a video game or two, and/or view a favorite television show, correct? So, by setting guidelines and only offering these activities as rewards, you might just see better work ethic, improved study skills, and more motivation on the part of your kids.
3) Understand your child’s learning style: I am a visual learner. My son? He happens to be the opposite. Obviously, this poses a major problem when it comes to helping him with his work. My advice? Understand how your child learns best, discuss it with his teacher, and do some research. Believe me when I say that knowing how to teach your child is a huge sanity-saver and major stress-reliever for both of you.
4) Seek Support: If you’re struggling through assignments and unable to help your kiddo, find someone who can. Tutors are awesome, are worth the money, and may be just what you and your child need. When in doubt (or on the verge of a nervous breakdown), get assistance.
5) Get organized: Set up a homework station within your home, complete with sharpened pencils, glue, and/or every other supply your child might need in order to conquer their next assignment. You’ll be so glad you did!
Let’s face it, mamas: We only have a small window of time where our children choose to lean on us for support. So let’s make sure we’re quick to listen and slow to speak, that we embrace their ideas often, praise them just as much, love on them lots, and provide them with the assistance they’ll need throughout their school years and beyond, Amen?
Give-Away!
We’re giving away a copy of Jenny’s new book Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe this week! To enter:
1) Leave a comment confessing your own attempt to be a “Wonder Woman” (for some hilarious examples, check out the “Real Mama Confession Videos” on Jenny’s website!); and/or
2) Share this blog post via Facebook and leave a comment telling us that you did; and/or
3) Pin this to Pinterest and leave a comment telling us that you did.
Winner will be drawn at random from the comment section on Saturday night, September 21, at 9:00 PM PST.
Jenny Lee Sulpizio is a wife and mother of three who enjoys writing about anything and everything under the sun, but especially loves to instruct, motivate, and guide other moms with practical advice, tips, and a whole lot of comic relief in the process.
Jenny is a contributing writer for The MOB Society and Moms Together, and is the author of the recently released guide for all mamas titled, Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe: On a Mission to Save Sanity, One Mom at a Time. To find out more about Jenny or to follow her blog, visit www.jennyleesulpizio.com.
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