When it comes to homework, the traditional definition might be straightforward: it’s the school assignments students need to complete at home. However, my redefined version of homework paints a much darker picture: it’s a source of familial strife, mood fluctuations, and an ecological crisis due to its paper consumption. While I understand the importance of homework—serving as practice for newly acquired skills—helping my child with ADHD navigate this process can be incredibly taxing. Here are ten reasons why I find it difficult to assist my ADHD child with homework:
- Patience is Lacking: My frustration often stems from my own impatience. This isn’t my child’s fault; rather, my inability to remain calm when faced with their struggles compounds the issue. I find myself envisioning a villainous persona as I repeatedly urge them to stay focused.
- Reality Check on Abilities: Working on homework reveals that my children are not prodigies, but rather typical kids grappling with concentration. The realization that they face challenges in basic skills like subtraction can be disheartening.
- Poor Organizational Skills: Daily, I encounter forgotten assignments and misplaced papers. Despite my efforts to create engaging organizational systems, I receive little more than indifferent looks in return, leaving me to ponder their future as potential hoarders.
- Confusion Over New Methods: The introduction of common core principles has left me bewildered. When I attempt to assist, I often find that my approach is outdated, leading to confusion and frustration as my child struggles to explain the new methods.
- Difficulty in Engaging: It’s aggravating when my explanations seem to go unheard, with my child’s attention drifting elsewhere. This often results in me repeating myself, reminiscent of the character Dory from Finding Nemo, as I try to maintain my composure.
- Dependency on My Help: My daughter tends to rely on my assistance far too much. After thoroughly explaining a problem, she often begs me to solve the next one with her, as if my guidance is a form of crutch she can’t give up.
- Whining and Complaining: The chorus of “It’s too hard!” and “I’ll never get it!” accompanied by accusations of wrongness in my teaching methods can be exhausting. Her confidence is admirable, yet it’s often accompanied by nonsensical claims about basic math.
- Time Constraints: Admittedly, I struggle to balance my time effectively. With multiple children, homework time becomes chaotic, as I juggle helping one child while managing the antics of my younger kids.
- Excessive Homework Load: The amount of homework assigned can feel overwhelming. My elementary school child faces nearly an hour and a half of assignments nightly, which seems excessive compared to my own childhood experiences.
- The Struggle to Ensure Quality: Although my child knows that homework is necessary, they often lose focus after a few minutes. Without my supervision, they may resort to guessing, sometimes writing nonsensical answers that leave me questioning their understanding.
Despite these challenges, I persist in helping my ADHD child with homework every night. It often feels like I am stuck in a loop of frustration, yet there is a rewarding moment I eagerly await. That moment when everything clicks and the homework becomes clear is akin to a magical revelation; it makes the struggle worthwhile.
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In summary, assisting my ADHD child with homework presents a myriad of challenges, from patience issues to excessive workloads. Yet, the satisfaction of seeing them understand a concept makes the effort worthwhile.