But mum I don't want to go to school...How to motivate children

First day back at school today for the not-so little people. My daughter goes up into Senior High School and gets to wear white shirts with her navy skirt. My son moves from juniors to the middle school - same colour shirts as juniors - but Navy shorts.... What I can't get over is the real class distinction at that age.

But that's not what I want to talk to you about today. No, today was the first day back after the long school break of summer. And it happened to coincide with a meeting I had to attend at Parliament House in Perth city. So my little people saw darkness for the first time in months. Boy are they going to be grumpy by dinner time tonight.

But what happens when it comes to motivating kids to do homework. How can you make sure they do what they are supposed to and not leave things to the last minute to get things done?

Well as we have discussed in other areas, you cannot deal in double standards when it comes to children. If you want them to do their homework before watching the television, you cannot in all honesty sit down with the TV remote in one hand and a pint of beer in the other.

So, lead by example. Make sure you have projects that you can do as the kids are doing theirs. Preferably paper type projects, or web based projects. My son will need to learn the art of research for the first time. I suppose he's quite lucky in a way - his mother (me) is a research librarian and I can teach him the best places to look aren't always on Google.  Shock horror, but no, Google is NOT the only place for research information. But how do other parents cope with demands from their offspring that "I need information on..."

So if you want your kids to know how to write reports, handle conflicting time management issues, project management and the stress and strain of moving up another year, then I would suggest that you do not wait for the teachers to teach these vital skills. We use them all the time, and by passing on these life skills during their formative years, you can give your kids the head start they need.

Lead by example;
Don't deal in double standards;
Do your homework when they do theirs;
Discuss research techniques and how to break projects down, which will help them
Handle the stress and strain of transition into their next year.

Speak to you again soon

Elle GB xo