Timing Trials

“Thanks, Mom,” Harley said as Mom placed a plateful of carrots, apples, and cashews beside him to snack on. 

It was nearly the end of the second week of school, and the twin’s homework load was fierce. Both Harley and Harper chose to get all their work done right when they got home to avoid rushing it before bed. 

“Are you having trouble with math this year, or is it just me?” Harper asked her brother with a scrunched brow. She was not a huge fan of this subject, and this grade was no exception. 

“No, but history is,” Harley responded. 

Mom listened quietly, letting the two of them work through it together before interjecting her opinion or offer to help. 

“Here, I can help you with math if you help me.”

“Sure.”

What felt like hours later, they had finally finished their homework, and they had plenty of time to unwind before dinner would be ready. Feeling relieved, they made their way to the stairs with the purpose of playing in their rooms when Mom called their names stopping them in their tracks. 

Turning on their heels, they answered in unison, “Yes?”

“Aren’t you both forgetting something?” Mom asked with a raised eyebrow and a tilt of her head.

They looked at each other then back to their mom. Perhaps their tiredness from the week and their homework load was messing with their memory.

Mom gave them a knowing expression before giving away the answer by pointing at Pickles, their dog, “He needs his afternoon walk.”

Harper sighed in acknowledgment and started walking towards the leash. 

“Mom, is there any chance that you can take care of him today? We,” He pointed at himself and Harper, “We are really tired from the long week and all our homework and could use a break,” said Harley truthfully.

Harper froze. They had made an agreement not to show their parents when they struggled with the responsibility of taking care of the dog since they had begged them for so long to get one in the first place. She wasn’t sure what to do or say, because she did want the break.

Mom didn’t reply right away, but after what seemed like minutes, she said, “I can today, but we will discuss this later.” She called Pickles and hooked him up to the leash.

Harley wanted to celebrate but couldn’t fight the feeling that this would come back to bite them. 

Later that night, after dinner, the family settled into the living room and discussed which board game sounded best to play. 

After selecting Life, Dad began to set up the board and stated, “I hear that your homework was a bit daunting today.”

“Daunting?” Harper asked.

“It means difficult,” Mom answered.

“Oh, then yes, it was a lot today,” Harley replied for them. 

“And I also heard that it interfered with your routine of walking Pickles.” Dad continued.

There it was, he knew it would come back to bite them, “Yes, but just for today, we needed a break.” Harley was quick to say. 

“Hey, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Your mom and I are always here to support you.”

The twins smiled.

“But what happens if your homework load or days don’t lighten up? Who will take care of Pickles?”

Their smile went away.

“Your mom has long days, too, and responsibilities to tend to.”

Mom leaned in and touched both twin’s hands, “Can I make a suggestion? Because the last thing your dad and I want is for you to feel exhausted with responsibilities and homework every day.”

They nodded. 

“I think it is time we discuss Time Management.” Mom smiled before continuing, “Here is an example: instead of being determined to finish all your homework right when you get home before doing anything else, split up your load. Maybe get your toughest subjects out of the way first, take a break by walking Pickles, then come back to finish the lighter subjects before playing?”

Harley and Harper looked at each other in thought.

Dad chimed in, “I know that when I do yard work on the weekend, I like to stagger my tasks with breaks throughout, but I still get all my work done.”

The twins began to nod in understanding, even though it might not always be fun to take care of their Pickles responsibilities, they knew that they must do their part. Maybe Time Management with their tasks was the answer.

**How is your school year starting out? Do you have a heavy homework load, too? Does it get in the way of any other chores or responsibilities that you have around the house? How about giving Time Management a try. Talk to your parents about a good after-school schedule to make sure you get what you need done but still have time for fun!