Homework schmomework.

That’s honestly how I feel about the work sent home with kids, especially early elementary school students. Those are my feelings from a parent’s perspective, that is. I don’t see my kiddo all day long, and then I have to surrender more of my precious time with her to school work? Wasn’t she there all day? Come on. She’s so little. How important is this one silly worksheet anyway?

But from a teacher’s perspective, I see things quite differently. Homework, when it reinforces concepts taught at school, is important, not only academically, but socially, as well. Homework for kindergartners and first-graders sets the stage for pattern-creating in households. It starts slowly—10 to 20 minutes of work a few times a week—and gradually increases as kids get older and subjects get more difficult.

Homework, in the early years, also creates an opportunity for parents to take on a more meaningful role in their child’s education, which is an incredibly important—and necessary—partnership for a student’s academic success. When a parent sits down with his child for that short bit of time and practices spelling words or math facts, helps explain the difference between a half and a whole, or a period and a question mark, he’s showing how important learning really is. A parent’s help during this time shows how much school is valued.

Sure, all of this is well and good, but when it comes down to it, for many, homework time is hard. It’s a battle of wills. It’s fighting. It's yelling. And it’s ugly. If homework time is ugly in your house, it’s time for some spring cleaning. You need to start anew. Here are a few ways to make homework time a happy time in your house:

Feed the belly. Most kids come home from school hungry. Who knows what they do with their lunches, but I doubt they’re eating them. So before you hop on the happy homework wagon, have a snack. You and the kids. Everyone’s happier on a full belly.

Then start from the beginning. Literally. Open up that backpack together, throw everything out on the floor, and organize. For younger kids, parents need to take more of this on, helping to put papers in the correct spots. But for the older kids, helping them to initially create dividers (or one individual binder) for each subject will get them on the right track. Label or color-code everything. Pick up an agenda book for kids to write down homework, and offer some sort of positive reinforcement when your kiddo actually uses it. Everyone needs to be organized if this homework thing will work and everyone needs to be made aware of these "new" roles. You’re not only a parent, you’re also a teacher. 

Don’t be afraid. Of the subjects. To ask for help. To act like you know what you’re talking about or to admit you’re not sure. Most likely you know this stuff. Education is so cyclical in nature, that you probably learned what your kid’s covering in school, they just called it something different when you were little. Refresh your memory, do a little research, email the teacher (you’re allowed to do that—seriously!). Put on your confidence hat and walk into your new role as "homework partner" with your chin up and shoulders back.

Be a partner. After the initial organization, walk yourself into partner mode. You’re co-commander, not the pilot of the ship. Your child needs to take the reins, be in charge and take initiative. You need to be there to check in—regularly, like a partner should. You need to sit down next to her at the table while she works (do some reading, work on your laptop, do whatever) and you need to talk to her at dinner about what she’s working on.   

Make it a family affair. Have little kids? Toddlers, preschoolers, babies, even? Well guess what? It’s their homework time, too. Except it’s not "homework time" anymore—it’s "work time" or "school time" or "craft time." Call it what you’d like. The more, the merrier with new-school work time. The television’s off and the Leapster’s away. The little guys have a seat at the table and they have a paintbrush, crayon, or marker in hand. Or a bunch of stickers to stick. Or Play-Doh to mold. Something. If you make it a family gig, a party that no one wants to miss—actually, the only party—then there’s no arguing the only option.

Stick with it. Don’t just start this happy homework party and then ditch it a week later. Until the kid graduates, you’re in it for the long haul. Sure, things will change. Obviously, as kids get older, they take more ownership of their schooling and don’t need you right up in their faces. But parents still need to know what’s going on school-wise. They still need to know their kids' teachers, their projects, the book they’re reading. 

But the bottom line is this: If you don’t start now, early in the game, it’ll be more difficult to jump on board later, when kids need help but might be afraid to ask. Or when she's so far behind that getting her caught up would be more difficult than it needs to be.

Homework’s not going away. Ever. So let’s get happy with it.