It was a suspiciously calm Friday morning when Joe’s phone rings. A familiar voice greets him.
“Hi, I’m just calling to check-in. Your daughter hasn’t turned in her last 5 science assignments, which is 50% of her grade,” the teacher explains.
Dad frowns, opens the parent portal, and stares at the screen. Five past-due assignments flash before his eyes.
He rubs his temples. “Five?! How did this happen?”
Grabbing his coffee, he sighs. “Looks like it’s going to be a long weekend.”
How to Help Your Child When They're Behind on Assignments
If you’ve found yourself in Joe’s shoes, faced with a pile of overdue assignments and a kid who seems oblivious to them, you are not alone. Here are some tips to help your child catch up and stay on track moving forward.
Your child is getting behind in schoolwork? HabitCoach can help!
1. Have a Conversation and Investigate
Don’t panic! Take a breath and sit them down for a calm conversation. Let them know about the situation and ask them why they’re behind. There could be multiple reasons:
They didn’t know about the assignments or forgot they were due.
They don’t understand the material or find the directions confusing.
They’re avoiding it because it’s boring or time-consuming (and TikTok is a much more entertaining alternative)
Understanding why they’re behind will help you figure out the best way to help.
2. Communicate with Teachers
Next step is to reach out to the teacher. Ask if they accept late work and how your child can make up for the missed assignments. Some teachers might be willing to offer extensions or partial credit, especially if your child is making a sincere effort to catch up.
Being proactive and communicating directly with teachers can often ease the pressure and show your child that you’re working together to solve the problem.
3. Write Out a Plan
Once you’ve identified all the missing work, sit down with your child and write out a to-do list. If they’re feeling overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks, break it down together. Do you want to start with the assignment that has the highest grade percentage? Or knock out the smaller, quicker tasks to build some momentum? Generally, the latter option works better for kids with ADHD who need the dopamine hit to keep going.
Make sure you offer guidance without taking over. Yes, you might be tempted to jump in and help finish a project or two, but remember that this is about teaching them responsibility and time management. Doing the work yourself may be the fastest way to get rid of the problem, but you run the risk of raising a child who will expect you to always fix things for them. Show your child that you trust them to do what is best and support them in a way that does not undermine their independence.
4. Use the Urgency to Motivate
Sometimes, children need a reminder of how much is riding on these assignments. Use this sense of urgency to motivate them by pointing out that missed assignments can have real consequences for their overall grade – potentially making the difference between a fun trip to Disneyland or summer school. The adrenaline rush can light a fire under them, which, believe it or not, is just what kids with ADHD often need to get started. For next time, helping them realize that the sooner they start, the less overwhelming it will be might help avoid this from becoming a future problem.
5. Develop a Plan to Prevent This from Happening Again
Now that you’ve tackled the backlog, how do you avoid this situation in the future?
Does your child keep forgetting about the assignments? Help them create a system for staying on top of their work. Teach them to use a digital calendar to set due dates and reminders. Encourage checking the learning management system regularly.
Does your child struggle with understanding the material? Make sure they know to ask for help ahead of time. Seek out support from teachers or classmates if needed.
Does your child tend to avoid doing homework because it’s boring? See if there’s any flexibility in how the assignment can be completed. Maybe a creative project or working with a friend could make it more engaging. Turning a boring essay into a video or group project might spark their interest.
If this isn’t the first time you’ve found yourself in this situation, consider bringing in an expert. An executive function coach can help your child develop key skills like time management, organization, and task prioritization. HabitCoach can provide the accountability and support your child needs to avoid falling behind in the future.
