Organizing Study Time
Today’s M&M Monday video/post is all about the struggle we face in trying to get our kids not just to study, but to do it well. Â As parents of a freshman and senior in high school, we’re trying to get one son to start high school on the right foot and the other son to finally internalize good study habits before he heads off to college next year.
I know this may seem like a lot, or like helicopter parenting, but we’re giving it a try. Â Neither of our children have particularly great study habits, so we’re starting off this school year very strictly and with a clear set of rules and expectations. Â I’ve included our list below and I’d love to get your feedback. Â Have you tried something like this? Â How did it work out? Â As we get farther along into the academic year, we’ll circle back and let you know how things are going!
Here’s what we printed out for each kid and also wrote out on a whiteboard that’s hung in our kitchen:
Routines and Expectations
We have put these policies in place to achieve the following goals:
- Form habits
- Set you up for success
- Establish predictability in order to foster certainty and productivity
Daily Habits
- 30 minute rest period after arrival at home
- Review agenda and folders
- Study in same place each night
- Review completed work with parent
- Backpacks/gear packed before bed
- Weekly agenda/planning meetings on Sundays
Expectations
- Phones are with parents during study time
- Background music during study time can be classical only
- Once nightly review is complete, phones are returned to you until 10 pm.
- No phones upstairs after 10 pm.
This plan was set down in order to make all of our lives as stress-free and easy as possible.
I am a stay-at-home Mom of three kids. Well my son will be 21 this year (so he is out on his own) two daughters 13 and 10. I have used a lot of these practices with my all three of my children and I can personally say they work. I too am rushed all week between school work, cheer, softball, soccer and powerlifting (my 13 year daughter is a powerlifter ????) so these do work and they have helped my son in his adult life! We love to watch your videos! Your greatest fan, Nancy Coats
Philadelphia, Ms
Hey-good for your daughter the power-lifter!! That’s pretty cool! Jake’s hoping these study skills will get him into Ole Miss (maybe even the honors program) so maybe I’ll finally get down to your state some time! Meet up in Oxford? 🙂
Oh my goodness, that would be awesome!! Hope he makes it, Hotty Toddy!!
He got accepted!!
I love watching your vlogs especially the ones with Michael they are very informative. I am 44 with three kids 20, 17 and 11 and we are very busy with extra curricular activities so time is limited and precious. I am hoping to adopt your home schedule as our 17 year old (son) does not have very great study habits (I know a little late, but better than never), and our 11 year old (daughter) needs to get into a routine so we don’t have the same issues. My 20 year old completed college as a dental assistant and is off to work in Bermuda this year, she has always had great study habits. Now to work on the others. Thank you for your videos!
Angela Lewis
Calgary, Alberta
I taught high school special education for 28 years. I wish more parents were as involved as the two of you. The plan for your sons is brilliant. The short rest period, then reviewing their day, and encouraging them to use their agendas are all such smart ideas. Taking their phones away during homework and after 10 pm is such a good idea. Checking the quality of homework (when necessary) is something so many parents forget to do. Establishing good study habits in high school is essential for college success. You two could write a “how-to” parenting manual for preparing student success. One of the current phrases we hear in education is “best practice”. The Goldbergs have certainly established “best practice” for their sons. Congratulations, you’ve done a wonderful job. You’ve planted the seeds for your sons to be lifelong learners!
That is so kind of you!! I think a lot of our decisions have been influenced by my mother, who was a special education resource teacher for 25 years. Thank you so much!
I love your videos Marnie! I’m 28, and have been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom since 24! You seriously have parenting down to a tee in my eyes! I hope I can be just as organized, as you (with school work and during sport seasons!!) I have 2 boys (ages 4 & 8), and am involved in their classrooms, and volunteer all the time! I always look forward to your Monday videos! Keep it up!!
Smiles,
Tiffany
Blog: tiffanystidings.com
San Francisco, Bay Area
I don’t think I’ll ever get it down to a tee-but I’m sure trying!
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I raised two daughters and I think the video is great. You have to help kids find their best path to the future. It’s a struggle and there will be fights but in the end the kids will be able to handle adulthood and will thank you someday.
My grown daughters and I still laugh about the oldest getting grounded at 18. In today’s time more parents need to be involved with their kids and this video is great at making that point.
thanks so much for sharing this marnie!! I have almost an identical parenting situation but I am one year behind you. This is SPOT on what I need to do with my two boys. However, I am DREADING telling my 16 year old he has to turn his phone in at 10pm. its gonna be ugly Im afraid !! Thanks again!! Good luck!
It’s a daily battle, but the resistance is weakening!! 🙂
Hi Marnie, I SWEAR my husband and i were just talking about this before bed last night. So glad i saw this video because now i’m more motivated than ever to put this into action with our 6th and 7th graders. Thanks for sharing.
Erika Perkins
Austin, Texas
It’s not easy, but we’re seeing results! Good luck!
I just recently started following you and I am enjoying your posts. I am a mom of a senior and an 8th grader. My senior has always had good study habits (maybe bc she’s a girl?) while my 8th grader (boy) is more challenging. I am concerned about his transition to high school next year. I would love to hear your thoughts now that the end of the school year is approaching. Congrats to your son on his acceptance and future plans to attend Ole Miss!! My daughter will be at A&M in the fall. I can’t believe we are already at this point in her life!
Congrats on A&M! What a wonderful achievement! I think overall, your son will rise to the expectations of high school. He might not have great study habits right now because he doesn’t need them. My youngest still doesn’t have the best habits, but they’ve certainly improved since last year in middle school. I know as the subjects get more difficult, he’ll do better as well. Also, with a little more time comes a little more maturity (I hope) and perhaps a better understanding of how hard they really need to work to get the grades they want.