by Annie M Manzi

Created on: January 27, 2009

It is frustrating to have a defiant child who refuses to cooperate to complete or even do any of their homework. What is a parent to do? Often at this point of your defiant child's life they are already defiant in other areas besides doing homework. No matter the reason why or when the child has become defiant, it is in their best interests to stop this destructive pattern as it becomes a lifelong problem for them.

Ways to get defiant children to do homework:

* Set your child up for success. Have a cleared off area that serves as a work space for them. It should be free of clutter on and around it. Clutter is not conducive to a good working environment. Set out all the tools they need to do the homework. Pens, sharpened pencils, paper, rulers, etc. are needed to be neatly placed by the workspace. Help them at first to neaten up the work space when they are finished and then make sure they get into the habit of making the area neat themselves.

* Make sure they know what is expected of them for doing their homework. Set up parameters that define the rules, rewards and consequences of not getting their work done without an argument.Be calm but firm when setting the parameters. The child may want to help you come up with some of the rewards or consequences themselves, it will actually help them to have ownership of their behavior in a positive way.

* Place an assignment calendar on the wall and block out the times for assignments and projects. Get the child into a habit of writing down their assignments and marking them off when finished. If it is a project, block out time periods everyday for a specific part of the project to be worked on and make sure they give you, the parent a list of things needed to do the project with.

* Have the teacher let you know through e-mail or a phone call if each assignment is handed in everyday.The teacher can give you a weekly or daily update depending on what they is willing to do. But it is important that there is good communication between the teacher and the parent on the subject.

* Let the child do the homework on their own. So not help them beyond explaining the assignment if they do not understand it. If they are really stumped, guide them through it, teach them yourself if you can and let the teacher know your child is having difficulties with that assignment.

* Make sure the child has some short refreshing breaks while working on their homework and give them healthy snacks and plenty of fresh water to drink. Sweets, high processed

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