Child Refuses to Do Homework

My daughter in the seventh grade hates homework. This is nothing new, as she has hated homework ever since kindergarten. She enjoys school and classes, but she draws the line at doing any homework. How can I help her learn to enjoy doing homework? I want to make homework fun for her, but I am afraid that if she continues not doing homework, her grades will be affected. -- Big Problem
Answer: Your daughter has not enjoyed homework for the past seven years, so this is not something that is going to be easy to turn around. Forget about the fun part; there are many things that everyone is required to do in life that are necessary, but rarely fun. Incidentally, does your daughter tend to shy away from anything that isn't fun? If so, it will be even harder to get her to do homework.
Studies have shown that homework doesn't truly affect achievement in elementary schools. However, in less than two years, when your daughter enters high school, this changes, and the amount of time that she spends doing homework probably will affect her grades and her choice of colleges.
A good place to begin to turn things around is with a homework contract. You can get one by visiting our website www.dearteacher.com. Click on "more..." under Skill Builders, and you will be able to print out a homework contract.
The contract should include the following terms:
1. Homework needs to be done in your presence.
2. Definite homework times need to be set.
3. School assignments need to be worked on Monday through Friday for an hour, even if no homework is assigned.
4. Meaningful rewards and penalties need to be spelled out for following or not following the contract.
5. The two of you need to agree on the terms.
Since not doing homework is an ongoing problem, talk to your child's teachers and ask them for suggestions on handling it.