As a parent, you want your kids equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

After-school activities can help hone your child into the best version of themselves. However, there’s also the question of ensuring that homework and other academic requirements don’t suffer.

Here are a few tips to help manage after-school activities and homework.

Take an activity inventory.

Before anything else, you should take an inventory of all your child’s activities outside school. This can include sports teams, clubs, lessons in music, dance, art, and volunteer work.

An overview of your child’s commitments can help you understand how much time they dedicate to extracurricular activities and see where scheduling conflicts may occur. You can also identify any potential areas where your child may need some help or accommodations.

Determine your priorities.

There will be times when after-school activities and homework compete for attention. When this happens, it’s essential to set priorities.

For example, homework should precede an after-school activity if a test is coming up. However, if a specific event is necessary for maintaining good grades, it should precede homework.

On the other hand, if an activity has personal importance for your child, make time for it. For example, you can try getting up earlier to fit in some extra study time or working on homework during lunchtime or after school.

Organize your calendar.

Establishing a schedule is the best way to ensure that after-school activities and homework get the attention they deserve. This may mean designating specific times for each activity.

For example, your child can do homework immediately after school or at a set time in the evening. You can also schedule activities around homework time so there are no conflicts.

Having a calendar can help everyone stay on the same page. Write down all of your child’s activities. This will help you see when homework time needs to be and how much free time they will have.

Clarify who’s in charge.

Aside from your calendar, you must coordinate handling the after-school schedule with your partner. If you’re both working, you likely have different plans, so it’s essential to agree on who will be responsible for homework, carpooling, and extracurricular activities.

This coordination allows you to focus on individual responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. You can also take turns handling different tasks so that one person isn’t always stuck with the same thing.

It can also be a time for bonding with your child, so make the most of it. Let your child know that you are there to help but that it is their responsibility to get the work done.

Make mealtimes more efficient.

In most families, dinnertime is when everyone can be together and catch up on the day, but this can also be time-consuming if you’re not planning ahead. It can take up too much of your energy, especially after a long day at work, and make it difficult to get homework done with the kids.

Consider meal planning and cooking in bulk to save time and energy during the week. You can also make use of leftovers by repurposing them into new meals.

It’s also best to set stick to a regular dinner time. This way, everyone knows when to expect dinner and can plan their homework around it.

Share the load with your kids.

You don’t have to wear a cape to help your kids balance after-school activities and homework. However, being a good role model when it comes to managing time and stress can make all the difference for your children.

Help them take responsibility for their commitments. For younger kids, this may mean sitting with them while they complete their homework so that you can help them stay on track. For older kids, it may involve having a conversation about how they plan to complete their homework and still have time for things they enjoy.

Encourage your kids to break up large projects into smaller tasks they can complete over time. As a result, they will feel less overwhelmed and have a sense of accomplishment as they check off each task.

Looking for some helpful tools?

Check out the momAgenda Weekly Family Planner. It has a blank page for every week with space for mom, dad, kids, and dinner!

If your child needs extra help with homework or specific subjects, Train the Brain has excellent tutors to assist.