Kids are streaming back into classrooms while moms and dads are breathing a sigh of relief. (“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” sings a New York parent just half-jokingly.)

Sure, child care is less of an issue again, and summer calendars don’t have to be filled with activities to keep the kids busy and happy. But it’s bittersweet, too. It’s been nice having your kids by your side for a few precious months.

Have you argued with your children about when they’ll complete — or start — their homework?

Yet now that the backpacks and school supplies are back, so is that multi-headed monster that can plague both you and your child: homework.

Have you argued with your children about when they’ll complete — or start — their homework? Have you been frustrated on a Sunday night when you hear about a big paper or project that’s “all of a sudden” due on Monday?

Related: Back to School Bus Safety

If so, some adjustments to how you approach homework can spell success for you and your kids, and save you from the battles it brings.

One of the most important factors to homework success often is overlooked by both kids and adults: a consistently healthy lifestyle.

Sleep is the foundation for a brain that must function for long hours, along with a good diet and regular exercise.

[lz_ndn video=29642799]

“Self-care is important to school success,” Boston child psychologist Janna Koretz told LifeZette. “Sleeping enough, eating so you receive proper nutrition, and exercise are all important. The brain works best under solid conditions, so you’re only helping yourself when self-care becomes a priority.”

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

With homework, a good mantra is “break it down.” (Maybe even attach a jingle and a few dance moves for the kids, to bring some energy to this concept!)

“They need to break homework down into doable goals, rather than looking at the whole assignment and being overwhelmed.”

“Kids need to deal with homework in chunks,” said Suzy Nuckols, a Floyd, New Mexico, third-grade teacher. “They need to break homework down into doable goals, rather than looking at the whole assignment and being overwhelmed.”

Getting a simple desk blotter or using a smartphone calendar can assist students in “chunking” their homework assignments.

“Organizational aids can be helpful to be sure activities and assignments aren’t missed,” Koretz said.

Planning out homework assignments is also critical.

“In regard to managing stress, I think being prepared is always helpful. Last minute is never good, but planning out long-term projects and assignments is great,” Koretz said.

“Consistency is important to long-term homework success.”

Another factor key to homework success is a set time to do homework. This lowers the pressure in the household, as everyone involved knows what is happening, and when.

“Parents need to be patient and have a set place in the house and a set schedule for homework,” Nuckols said. “Consistency is important to long-term homework success.”

And if you can afford it, investing in a tutor to help your child learn how to study is a good idea, especially since “they really don’t teach this in school anymore,” Koretz said.

What about listening to music while studying?

“Music with lyrics is very likely to have a problematic effect when you’re writing or reading,” Clifford Nass, a professor at Stanford University, told USA Today. “Probably less of an effect on math, if you’re not using the language parts of your brain.”

On the flip side, many students tell parents they “can’t concentrate” without music.

“Especially when music doesn’t have words, it can help me get into the reading and stop me getting distracted by other things,” Melanie Fineman, a junior at Brown University, told USA Today. “It makes studying more enjoyable.”

A Handy Wrap-up
If you and your child follow these steps, homework success is much more likely this year.

  1. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly.
  2. Break down homework into reasonable, logical chunks.
  3. Plan out all assignments.
  4. Organize work with a desk calendar or smartphone calendar.
  5. Create a set time and place for homework.
  6. If possible, invest in a tutor to help teach study skills.
  7. If listening to music, tailor it to the subject (no lyrics for language-based homework).

Lastly, we parents need patience. Kids have already had a long day when they hit the books at night, so an understanding attitude along with some structure will bring much-needed peace and order to the whole family’s homework experience.