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Your children’s educational journey doesn’t begin and end at school. It’s a lifelong adventure that comes home with them and persists through evenings, weekends, and even summer vacations. Make sure you’re supporting your children’s learning and helping them excel at their homework with these smart strategies.

Develop a Routine

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Consistent study habits are essential if you want your children to excel in school. Choose a regular block of time when they’ll study and do homework each night. Determine your child’s learning style and incorporate strategies that cater to these preferences. Your child may understand math better with manipulatives, thrive with flashcards, or prefer a math program on the computer. Include at least 20 minutes of reading for elementary-age children.

Give kids some time to unwind after school, but don’t push the homework routine so close to bedtime that the kids go to sleep late if the study session runs over. A late-afternoon block is best.

Create a Functional Study Space

Children learn best if they have a dedicated space set aside for studying. Even a tiny desk set in the corner is sufficient. Use task lighting so your kids don’t have to squint over their papers. Keep all the essentials handy, including paper, pencils, and reference materials. You don’t want to interrupt your routine hunting for an eraser or ruler. Make sure it’s all handy in a drawer or supply tote.

Consider including a blackboard, whiteboard, or bulletin board in your study space. You can write up the week’s spelling words, leave encouraging notes, or work out math problems on a larger scale with these tools.

Set and Reward Goals

Set homework and study goals for your children, and track their progress so they can see their growth and achievements. You might track passing grades, demonstrated math fluency, or the number of books read each week. Stickers on a chart are easily visible and provide a visual incentive. Set a reward system with perks like a pizza night, screen time, or freedom from a particular chore if children meet their goals.

Keep Kids Healthy

Healthy kids will have an easier time with all their activities, including school. Make sure your children are eating a well-balanced diet that’s low in sugar and processed foods and high in whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 should get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous activity each day.

Make sure your home is a healthy space by keeping it clean. Proper humidity levels will help keep asthma and allergies under control. High humidity creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites, yet excessively dry air encourages these irritants to dry out and become airborne. Keep your humidity level between 30 and 50 percent for the healthiest environment.

With the right home environment and routine, your children can thrive in all their activities, from learning a musical instrument to mastering math facts. Work closely with your children’s teachers to set appropriate goals and make sure they’re working on the right activities during their homework time.

There are plenty of obstacles that prevent working mothers from starting their MBA, let alone completing it. It’s because of these pre-conceived notions that many women who strive to improve their career options won’t begin to look at their opportunities. How can one complete an advanced degree all while trying to balance work, family, and life obligations?

Although it may sound difficult, obtaining an MBA online, no GMAT required, from an accredited online school like Marylhurst University is easy. It creates options that allow working mothers to focus on what’s most important in life: their families. For those considering taking the plunge, here are the top three reasons working mums should consider obtaining their MBA today.

An MBA Shatters the Glass Ceiling

The executive suite in any corporation can look more like an old country club instead of a progressive, forward-thinking company. Think about it. How many executives at any company are women? Having the initials “MBA” beside a title can break that barrier between being an employee and being a leader, opening up major career growth opportunities. Plus, the MBA process can teach many critical leadership skills such as negotiations and defending marketplace ideas.

Increase Your Career Opportunities

The “Great Recession” put everyone on guard of what would be coming next. And recent studies suggest that while employers are hiring, wages for mid-level professionals aren’t growing. Having an MBA is an investment in one’s self: it is an expression to an employer that a professional has dedicated themselves to constant education about their trade and understanding what success looks like at a high level. Even if the economy turns negative again, mothers with advanced degrees will have greater opportunities through experience and education. This allows continued career growth and more job opportunities.

Focus on What Matters Most: Family

At the end of the day, family matters most. That’s not a bad thing. Instead of struggling to balance both, many MBA graduates find that they have a greater work-life balance than those who may not. It’s true that MBA positions come with increased responsibility, but these positions come with a certain amount of flexibility as well. This allows working mums to be there for their family when they need, instead of being forced to precariously juggle both family and work. Getting an MBA is not just an investment in one’s self, it’s also an investment in family security and stability that will pay dividends in the years to come. Besides, nobody remembers what happened at work, but they will remember the time spent with family.

No matter what reason a working mum has for pursuing an MBA: career stability, promotion opportunities, or spending more time with family, there is no wrong reason to start an advanced degree today. With online accredited programs becoming more available, the MBA is becoming accessible with a minor time commitment, and is critical to future success across priorities.

Image via Flickr by Brett Farmiloe