Kids and homework can be a tricky thing at the best of times. Fitting homework into the weekly routine around after school activities can be even trickier. We often seem to find ourselves out on a number of afternoons a week while one child or the other has classes or practice sessions. The other child meanwhile is stuck with me either in the car or watching the activity, and their homework is still waiting for them another day.
Sometimes we try to bring the homework with us so we can do it in the car. This seemed like an easy enough thing to me, but after one particularly irritating afternoon in the car I realised that the kids did not find it easy at all!
They struggled to bring the things they needed – “Mum, I can’t do that bit because I don’t have a highlighter.”
They struggled to find a comfortable place to sit – “But I want to sit in the FRONT seat where there’s more room!”
They struggled to balance their book on their lap – “I can’t write neatly in the car!”
Really, there was more complaining than homework!
Over the next few days, I spent time thinking about how we could do homework in the car without so much whining. After chatting with the kids, I came up with the “Homework Station To Go”.
What You Need
- A Tray – ours is a melamine tray from Kmart in cheerful spots (Tip: look in the kitchen ware section)
- A Large Pencil Case or zippered pouch – mine is another bright cheerful one (that was gifted from 2Kool4Skool a couple of years ago)
- Stationery
What To Do
Put all the stationery items in the pencil case.
I included these items in ours:
- pencils with pencil grips
- pencil sharpener (hmm… somehow that’s not in the photo!)
- eraser
- ruler
- coloured pencils – pack of 12 (gifted from Faber-Castell Australia)
- highlighters – 3 in different colours
- crayons – pack of 12
- glue
- a small notebook (more for me than the kids)
You might also add
- ball point pens – in blue, black and/or red
- felt pens
- calculator
- scissors
Put the pencil case and the tray in the boot of the car ready for the next afternoon of homework on the go.
The Verdict?
Homework is easier to do now and there is less complaining. Plus Little Miss loves the colourful tray so she was keen to try it out.
I’m sure the novelty will wear off soon – let’s face it, it is homework! – but for now, it has made our life a little easier. Success!
More Crafty Organisation:
- Weekly Calendars – using picture frames and dry erase markers
- 5 Places to Use Blackboard Labels around your Home
- DIY Scarf Organisation
- How to Organise a Cupboard
- Crochet Blanket Storage Ideas
- How I Store Embroidery Threads
