by Julius Albert Custodio

Created on: March 21, 2009   Last Updated: March 22, 2009

Yes, even children can be stressed out too. It's true that doing homework is a good way to help retain what the child learned from school but the effect of too much homework can be pretty devastating.

It's fairly common for parents to worry about their children's well-being. After all, every parent just wants the best for their children. The following is a list of tell-tale signs that could prompt a parent when a child is being overburdened by homework:

* He/she becomes irritable and temperamental.

- There comes a time in every student's life when school projects pile up and to top it all off, there are extra assignments to do. Because of this, a child sometimes have the tendency to snap back, even at adults who are just trying to help. Allow your child to take a breather from homework every once in a while. Don't let the stress get between you and your child.

* The child begins to feign sickness just to skip school.

- For some children, homework can be the trigger for their lack of interest in school. When you find your child making silly excuses just so he/she can skip school, then it may be a sign that they're losing their drive. To remedy this, tell him/her about your own life as a student and instill in the child's mind the value of education. You wouldn't want your child to grow up into a slacker, would you?

* The child has trouble sleeping at night.

- When this happens, it's usually because the child is afraid the teacher would throw his/her homework in the trash bin. There are some teachers who would embarrass their students when they turn in incomplete or late homework. It's still a common thing nowadays, and sometimes it can take a toll on a child's mind. Ask your child about his/her least favorite teachers in school and the reason why they don't like the teacher. You can also try visiting the teacher and ask him/her how your child is doing and clearing matters regarding his/her treatment of your child.

* He/she complains of a headache in the middle of doing his/her homework.

- This is a physical sign of stress and it's quite normal, especially during a busy school term. What your child needs is a time management scheme. Tell him that it's OK to rest for a while after doing one part of his homework and that relaxation is one way of refreshing the brain. If he complains of a headache all of the time, then it might be time to consult a medical professional.

* The child resorts to neglecting the homework altogether.

- Although some parents would assume that it's just laziness in the child's part, it's usually not the case. It's a good thing to take a look at your child's homework first. If you can put yourself in your child's shoes, you might see what they see. There are times when homework gets so piled up, it's almost impossible to finish all of them in time. Tell your child that you understand his situation because you were once a student but also remind him that neglecting his homework can become a bad habit.

It's good to remember that guiding your child while doing his/her homework doesn't necessarily invite dependence but it can actually form good study habits. The key to a child's proper management of homework is discipline and it's your job as a parent to instill that value as early as possible.

Learn more about this author, Julius Albert Custodio.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.