How to talk to your child's teacher about homework

If homework takes all night or ends in tears, the teacher may not know. A short, specific conversation can change a lot. Here's how to prepare and what to ask.

By Billy Miecuna, co-founder of Homework Turtle · Updated October 11, 2026

Before you talk

1. Keep notes for a week or two. How long homework takes, and where your child gets stuck: starting, understanding the directions, keeping track, or finishing.
2. Look at the work itself. Is it getting done? Does it seem too easy or too hard?
3. Ask your child what they'd like you to bring up, and explain why you're meeting so they don't worry.
4. Ask for a meeting, in person if you can, and say up front that it's about homework so the teacher can prepare. You don't have to wait for conference time.

During the conversation

Assume the teacher wants to help. Describe what you see at home in specific terms, focus on your child's experience instead of blame, and take notes. Ask about your child's strengths too.

Questions worth asking:

• What's the most time homework should take each night?
• If my child works for that long and isn't done, can they stop and hand in what they have?
• Can the amount or format change for now?
• Is extra help available at school?
• How can we make sure my child understands the assignment before leaving school?

How much homework is typical?

A common rule of thumb is about 10 minutes per grade, so about 20 minutes in second grade and about an hour in sixth. Many districts use it as a guide, adjusted for individual students. It's a guideline, not a law. If your child is regularly going well past it, that's worth raising.

After the conversation

1. Agree on a plan before you leave, and how you'll stay in touch.
2. Explain the plan to your child.
3. Check in again in a few weeks to see if it's working.
4. Write a short note when your child is stuck on a specific assignment, so the teacher sees what's confusing.

If it's still not working

If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, ask for a team meeting to add homework accommodations, or if the ones in the plan aren't being used or aren't helping. If your child doesn't have a plan and you think they need one, you can ask the school in writing for a free evaluation. Send it to the principal or special education administrator with specific examples, and keep a copy. Our guides to 504 plans and IEP accommodations explain the next steps.

Where Homework Turtle fits

On the Family plan, the parent dashboard shows what's due and what's done, which gives you something specific to bring to the conversation. Students keep every assignment in one list and calendar, and Shelly, the AI tutor, explains one step at a time. It's free to start.