10 Ways to Overcome Schoolwork Resistance

Moving from Conflict to Connection

If you’ve homeschooled for more than a few days, you’ve probably run into it—your child just doesn’t want to do their school work. Whether it’s groaning about math, resisting writing, or flat-out refusing to sit down, it can feel frustrating. The good news is: you’re not alone, and there are ways to turn those tough moments into opportunities.

1. Pause and Listen

Sometimes resistance is a signal. Are they tired, hungry, or overwhelmed? Take a moment to check in. A quick snack, a stretch break, or even a change of scenery can make a big difference.

2. Try “Power Ups”

Borrowing inspiration from video games, some local families use “Power Ups” to help kids power through schoolwork. Instead of rewarding finished work, you give a small boost—like a jelly bean or marshmallow—when your child agrees to keep going. Think of it as a little burst of energy to tackle the next challenge. Complete math, offer a Power Up to keep going, then move on to English with renewed momentum.

3. Make Progress Visual

Kids can feel discouraged if the day’s work feels like a never-ending list of invisible tasks. A simple progress tracker—like checking off boxes, moving clothespins, or coloring in a chart—shows them exactly where they are and what’s left. You can zoom out, too: track progress through a book, a learning period, or even the whole school year. Seeing progress in a concrete way helps kids stay motivated.

4. Look for the Root Cause

Is the work too hard, too easy, or just not connecting with them? Kids often push back when they feel frustrated or bored. Adjusting the pace, trying a different resource, or adding more challenge can help.

5. Personalize the Learning

Pay close attention to your children’s interests. Kids love learning – just not about stuff they aren’t interested in. ChatGPT can help. Enter in the topic you’re covering and your children’s interests to get ideas for new ways to learn it that better apply to them. Have them offer story ideas exploring plot, theme, and setting and ask ChatGPT to write a story for them to read. Giving kids ownership makes school feel less like a battle. AI has opened a whole new world of personalized learning. 

5. Make It Fun

A worksheet might feel dull, but turning math into a game, writing into a comic, or science into a hands-on experiment can spark excitement. Learning doesn’t always have to look like sitting at a desk. Be sure to document these hands-on learning moments so you can include them in your learning period reports.

6. Reframe the Moment

Remember—homeschooling is flexible. If a subject just isn’t working today, swap it out for something else. Consistency matters, but so does honoring your child’s needs and keeping your relationship positive.

7. Keep the Big Picture in Mind

Every homeschool day won’t go perfectly, and that’s okay. What matters most is nurturing curiosity, building skills over time, and keeping your connection strong.

8. Relationship First

Your relationship with your child comes first. There is never a need to hurt the relationship to accomplish school work. If tensions are rising, it’s time to stop. Focus on connection and play. The worksheet can wait. Learning cycles every year. If they don’t get it now, there will be time later. 

9. Work With Your Charter Teacher

Families with charter schools can sometimes feel pressure to complete a large stack of curriculum to prove they’ve completed 6-weeks worth of school work. If this is the case, your first step is to be honest with your teacher about how things are going. Set up a private meeting with them (let the kids sit this one out), and brainstorm together ways to make it work for your family. 

10. Get Support

Chico Homeschoolers can help. We offer T.E.A. Chats for families to share tips, encouragement, and advice. We also now offer personalized support to help families create their best homeschooling life. Connect with other homeschool families to see what’s working for them. You’re not alone. 

The next time your child resists schoolwork, see it as a chance to step back, get creative, and work together toward a solution. Often, the “hard days” become the ones where you both learn the most.