The start of school can mean a break during the day while kids are at school. But it can also mean special needs homework battles every afternoon and evening during the week. Guest blogger, Rebekah Benimoff came up with a unique cease fire in the special needs homework wars at her house. See what you think.

Special Needs Homework War Cease Fire: Homework in a Bucket

The quietness of my day ended when the school nurse called me. Tyler’s blood glucose level was high– off the charts. Perhaps the “set” was kinked. (That’s insulin pump lingo.) We made it almost to the end of the school day, so that was a blessing!

The temperature in the mini-van reminded me of summer, and I contemplated the plan of action as I drove slowly through the school zone, along with the other parents arriving early. I reminded myself that Tyler would not die if I did not get to him in the next five minutes. “I WILL get to him, all in good time.” I repeated to myself. This is what my husband, a veteran chaplain, calls “self-talk”. Powerful tools for a worried mother. A reminder of the TRUTH of the matter.

I gathered up my gifts from God and we headed home– and for once, the chaos did not start in the car. Tyler was stuffing his face with the first food he’d been allowed in a whole two hours (due to slowly climbing BG levels after the post lunch BG check). Since he was on the way home to get new insulin, he could finally have a carb-free snack. Blaine was content to wave at the kids walking home, who were running in and out of the street like college students on Friday night. After the minivan came to a complete stop, the door opened and out tumbled my boys like two wrestling bear cubs. “Put your homework folders on the table!” I called as they headed willy-nilly through the door. And now, Homework Time begins. Ahh, the joy. Oh, the weeping and wailing. Earplugs anyone?

Special Needs Homework Challenges

Homework takes a lot of trouble shooting at our house. Tyler spent the last 45 minutes of the school day in the nurse’s office (20 of which were before she called me, so I must have made reasonable time, despite the “end of the school day” traffic). He rather luckily escaped having homework actually COME HOME, but there are still the weekly requirements of middle school, which Mom is now wise to. Like reading for twenty minutes. Once his BG leveled out, I still made him read. Despite how very unfair that is. Blaine, on the other hand, did have “real” homework. And homework is hard for Blaine… he can do the work, I just have to get him focused on DOING it. And finishing it. A couple years ago he was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder, and we are still discovering all the little quirks; what works, what doesn’t. Sitting at the table and writing out the twelve spelling words of the week DOESN’T. Sitting on the couch and reading for 20 minutes doesn’t either. After an entire day of sitting at a desk, he wants to wiggle. He NEEDS to wiggle- even more than most little boys. Blaine has trouble with sitting upright or reasonably still for a long periods of time. He also struggles with writing legibly. Part of the “sensory issues”. Now that the light has come on, the knowledge helps this former Kindergarten teacher understand why my third grader has a hard time doing things my most of my younger students could do– by the end of that first year, at least! We have to get creative to help him do his very best work.

So, after a wiggle break, we did “Homework In The Bucket” — otherwise known as bucket therapy. But even after getting the bucket and choosing his blankets, pillows and books, Blaine was not settling INTO to the bucket. I was helping Tyler re-fill the tubes of insulin, and re-insert the insulin pump tubing into his poor little rear (via a rather large needle), and Blaine was trying to give the cat bucket therapy. Our furry family member was not impressed.

After some trauma to his heart and his bottom (he really dreads those shots), Tyler settled into reading his OWN books (which requires wading through fussing and complaining over how NOT FAIR homework is…whether BGs are off or not.) And I eventually coaxed Blaine into his Fort. He just would not settle. In and out of the bucket, in, and out. “I need another snack”, “I need another drink”, “I need my kitty…” (who did not want to go NEAR that bucket…)

The solution? Pictures speak a thousand words.

What’s Your Best Special Needs Homework Solution?

Rebekah climbed in a bucket to end her son’s homework war. No doubt you’ve discovered some unique homework solutions, too. If so, share your story in the comment box. Homework in a bucket. Homework standing on your head. Homework set to music.

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