Most evenings, homework used to feel like a dreaded mountain to climb. My oldest, now in first grade, would take hours to complete just a few assignments. It wasn’t about ability—it was the energy, the will, the overwhelm. And I’ll admit, I often found myself slipping into “strict mode,” feeling more like a taskmaster than a mom.
But something shifted recently. I decided to stop pushing and start playing.
I tapped into both my OT background and my mama instincts and realized—maybe the problem isn’t the homework. Maybe it’s HOW we’re doing it.
So, I tried something different: I turned homework time into a game.
Instead of drilling or coaxing, I added silly rules—“Every time you get an answer right, I’ll catch and tickle you!” Movement breaks followed each completed task—jumping jacks, silly dances, hopping on one foot. Reading turned into a classroom role-play with imaginary classmates. Spelling became a teacher-led game where I called out words in character.
And guess what? He laughed. He focused. He flew through his assignments.
We completed five homework tasks in just an hour and a half—a record for us. But more than that, we connected. We made a memory. And for once, homework wasn’t the enemy. It was an adventure.
Here’s what I’ve learned—and what I want to share with you:
Our kids spend all day in school, where learning is often interactive, engaging, and even fun. Then they come home, and suddenly “homework” becomes a battleground. We shift into serious faces, raise our voices, and expect quiet focus… after a full day of stimulation and structure. Of course they resist.
But what if we reframe homework time as bonding time?
What if, instead of viewing it as one more task to check off the list, we saw it as an opportunity to connect?
Home is where our kids should feel most safe and supported. When we bring joy, playfulness, and flexibility into homework, we show them that learning doesn’t have to feel like a burden—it can be something we do together. Something they’ll remember not with dread, but with a smile.
My hope is that one day, my child will say, “Remember when I was in first grade and we had so much fun doing homework?” That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave.
So to all the parents out there: try something new tonight. Get silly. Be the teacher, the student, the cheerleader. Add movement. Add fun. And most importantly, add you.
Because homework doesn’t have to be hard or a power struggle. It just has to be home.
Have you tried making homework time playful at home? Share your favorite strategies in the comments—or tag a fellow parent who needs this reminder that homework time can be fun!
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