Page 38 - Intra Muros August Issue 2025
P. 38

TODAY’S CHILD



        Sometimes,  permission  to  pause  is
        the  greatest  gift  you  can  give  –  even
        if it means sending a short note to the
        teacher and saying, “We tried, but today
        was too much. Let’s try again tomorrow.”

        What helps (without the drama)
        Most  of  us  didn’t  grow  up  with  co-
        working tables or mindfulness breaks –
        we were told to “just get it done.” But we
        also didn’t grow up in a world this fast,
        noisy, or emotionally demanding.

        Here  are  some  simple,  modern-
        day  tweaks  that  support  without
        overwhelming:
        •  The 15-minute sprint  –  Set  a  visible
          timer. Make it a game. “Let’s see what
          you can do in 15 minutes.” Break the
          work into chunks and build in planned
          brain breaks.                     •  Brain breaks that actually reset – Not just “go   When it’s more than you can hold
        •  Co-working  time – Sit at the same   run  around.”  Try:  five  jumping  jacks,  feeding   alone
          table with your laptop or a book. No   the  dog,  a  quick  squiggle  drawing,  or  a  silly   If  homework  resistance  becomes  the
          hovering, no correcting – just a quiet   walk around the table.            norm  rather  than  the  exception  –  if
          presence.  You’re  doing  your  work,   •  Switch  the  setting  –  Change  the  scenery  –   every  evening  ends  in  shouting  or
          they’re  doing  theirs.  It  creates  calm   outside  table,  beanbag  corner,  kitchen  floor.   tears  –  it’s  time  to  bring  the  teacher
          accountability.                    The brain responds to novelty.          into the loop. And you don’t have to
        •  Checklist  magic – Together, make a   •  Let them teach you – Ask them to explain a   wait for a crisis or term-end meeting
          visual  to-do  list.  Let  them  tick  it  off.   concept. “Pretend I don’t know anything about   to do it.
          Even the act of writing “1. Open book”   fractions.”  This  builds  confidence  and  helps
          helps create momentum.             solidify learning.                      Try  saying  something  like: “We’re
                                                                                     seeing  real  distress  at  home  around
                                                                                     homework, even when we’re available
                                                                                     to  help.  We’d  love  to  find  a  gentler
                                                                                     path forward together.”

                                                                                     Most  teachers  would  rather  adapt
                                                                                     or  clarify  than  see  a  child  spiral  into
                                                                                     dread.  You’re  not  making  excuses
                                                                                     –  you’re  advocating  for  your  child’s
                                                                                     capacity and mental health.

                                                                                     You’re still the safe place
                                                                                     At the end of the day, your relationship
                                                                                     with your child matters far more than
                                                                                     whether  they  completed  every  last
                                                                                     question on the worksheet. Homework
                                                                                     shouldn’t cost your connection.

                                                                                     You  don’t  need  to  be  the  tutor,  the
                                                                                     coach,  the  motivator,  the  therapist,
                                                                                     and  the  enforcer.  You’re  allowed
                                                                                     to  say:  “I’m  here.  I  see  you.  We’ll
                                                                                     figure  this  out  together.”  Because
                                                                                     the  most  powerful  kind  of  learning
                                                                                     doesn’t  come  from  fear  or  pressure.
                                                                                     It comes from feeling safe enough to
                                                                                     try again.


        36 | INTRAMUROS AUGUST 2025
   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43