Parenting expert Sue Atkins advised parents to show their soft side when it comes to supporting their children with homework as “nagging” may just pile even more pressure on them. Ms Atkins does think that constantly issuing warnings such as telling kids that their future looks bleak if they do not put in the hard work now has the desired impact. The expert insisted kids often just require the “support” of their parents who also should not place too many demands on them.
She added that changing the attitude towards children could help reap the rewards, especially if they struggle in a particular subject.
In an interview with LBC, Ms Atkins said: “When my children went through it when I was calm.
“If I took my energy down, didn’t over-pressurise them, held the space to be kinda calm throughout it, perhaps also looking at is it a nagging to do their homework or their studies?
“Look at ways to support, nurture and empower them!”
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She continued: “There’s a great app I’ve come across called the ‘Study App’ and that is exactly that kind of thing.
“Don’t just keep saying, ‘are you gonna study or you never get anywhere.’
“Actually they might be feeling overwhelmed in one subject and could you sit down and unpick it with them?”
Ms Atkins talked up the benefits of hybrid working which is a blend of working from home and going to the workplace itself.
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“Others really don’t and they feel really under pressure and ironically teaching is a profession where you’re sort of selfless and caught in that thing, if I leave at 4.30 it looks like I am not doing a good job when actually I am hitting the books again at 8 for my own work.
“And I think a lot of parents do it like that, they juggle things.
“You’ve got to make it acceptable for family life to be more in balance.
“And it’s not one or other it could be both if we look at it holistically!”
Ms Atkins added: “It’s about showing interest, sitting with them and encouraging them, or teaching them where to find the information out if you can’t help or don’t know.
“It’s about bonding with your kids, spending time with them when things are a bit tricky, and not leaving them feel abandoned in confusion.”
