---
title: Signs your child may have too much homework
description: How can you tell if your child has too much homework? Use this list of signs to see if grade-schoolers or middle-schoolers have more homework than they can handle.
slug: checklist-signs-your-child-may-have-too-much-homework
author: Amanda Morin
reviewer: Jenn Osen-Foss, MAT
published: '2019-10-16T13:26:20.806Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/1651224248034F1EB3CB75E20EFE23A2/3fb29d41c9ff578b3d92c1a2efd4af7d/t480511610.jpg
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/checklist-signs-your-child-may-have-too-much-homework
lang: en
---

# Signs your child may have too much homework

Sometimes, even with good habits or a [homework contract](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-sample-homework-contract) in place, kids who learn and think differently may have more work than they can handle.

The list below can help you figure out if your grade-schooler or middle-schooler is struggling with the homework load.

Kids with too much homework might:

- Put off doing homework, to the point of not having time to finish it.
- [Not want to go to school](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-to-say-when-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences-dont-want-to-go-to-school) or feel unprepared for class because homework isn’t done.
- Ask for help before trying to do homework on their own.
- Ask for help even if they understand the assignment and could do it on their own.
- Not accept help when you offer it.
- Count on you to make corrections instead of just checking their work.
- Say they’ll finish homework in the morning before school.
- Stay up past bedtime to get homework done.
- Keep missing assignments.
- “Forget” to bring homework home.
- Drop afterschool activities because there’s not enough time.
- Complain about headaches or other physical issues during homework time.
- Cry about doing homework.
- [Argue about getting started](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/5-tips-for-avoiding-homework-battles-with-your-grade-schooler) on homework.
- Yell at you when you try to help. (“Leave me alone!” “Why aren’t you helping me the way I need you to?”)
- Worry about the consequences of not completing assignments.
- Get angry, defensive, or upset when you ask about homework.
- Not have (or make) time to hang out with friends.
- Make negative comments about the work. (“Algebra is so dumb.” “I’m never going to need to know this!”)
- Make negative comments about the teacher. (“The teacher is too hard on us.”)
- Make negative comments about themselves. (“I’m so dumb. I’ll never be able to get all this work done.”)

Find out how to [talk to your child’s teacher about too much homework](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-talk-with-your-childs-teacher-about-too-much-homework). Learn [what to do if your child says, “I’m dumb.”](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/experts-weigh-in-what-should-i-do-when-my-child-says-im-stupid) And get tips on [how to help your child with homework](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/homework-strategies).

---

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