Monday afternoons in our family look like this:
- 3:30 p.m.– I attend my staff meeting, work up at school
- 5 p.m.– pick up kids from after-school care, drop off W at Tae Kwon Do
- 5:15 p.m. – drop off E at tumbling
- 5:30 p.m. – return to watch W at Tae Kwon Do
- 6 p.m. – drive to tumbling, do homework in car with W while waiting for E to finish
- 6:30 p.m. – head home for dinner and homework completion.
And that’s just Monday. Is anyone else exhausted? We have a few other days during the week that have a similar schedule.
Now, I know this schedule is of our own doing. I also know this schedule is quite tame compared to other families, especially those who have more than two kids who are involved in multiple activities. And I’m not here to say how many after-school activities are too many. What works for one family may not work for another. One of my dear friends has two kids who each play three sports. It works for them. I am so in awe. I just know I couldn’t do it.
So, what are the secrets to balancing homework and after-school activities? I have absolutely no idea. But here are some tips that work for my family for now:
Plan ahead – if your child knows there will be a test on Thursday, but they’re at play practice until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, try to build in time to study earlier in the week. Bring the study guide or flashcards in the car. We keep a list of spelling words and math flashcards in the car, along with pencils and a lap desk, in case there’s a worksheet that can be done en route to an activity. My friend tells tales of her son doing homework by the light of his phone in the car on the way to and from hockey practice. You do what you gotta do.
Stock the “car-feteria” – My father-in-law teased my mother-in-law for using her car as a “car-feteria” when she was working and needed to squeeze in lunch between appointments. Hey, I get it. Some jobs don’t allow for hour-long lunch breaks, just like some evenings don’t allow for a family dinner around the table. Have some protein bars, fruit cups or pretzels ready for snacking in between practices. Don’t forget to stash some water bottles in the car as well.
Meal planning is key – On Sunday, I try to cook a meal that will have leftovers we can eat on Monday night, since we aren’t home until almost 7 p.m.. As I type, I’ve got a pot roast in the Instant Pot, so there’s dinner for a few nights. I also make sure we have lunchmeat on hand for super crazy nights, and if all else fails, cereal for all! We may or may not have cereal on the regular, though.
Set expectations about the balance – I think this will apply more when my kids are older, but it’s important to start talking about it now. A friend of mine told her kids that if they couldn’t get dinner and homework finished before bedtime, something had to go. We are starting to emphasize this to our kids. Fortunately, the homework load in second and fourth grades hasn’t impacted us much, but we are preparing ourselves now. I already have nightmares about middle school.
I’m a teacher, so I understand the importance of leaving time for homework after school. But I also understand the need to let kids engage in an activity outside of school that brings them joy and maybe even a self-esteem boost. Finding a balance is the key…and possibly like finding the elusive holy grail. So parents, what are your tips for this balancing act?
