Smart Tools to Lighten the Mental Load of a Single Parent During Homework Time

When You're the Only One at the Homework Table

Picture this: You’re in the kitchen trying to make dinner, your phone keeps buzzing with work messages, and your child is sitting at the table staring down a math worksheet with a look of sheer dread. “Mom, I don’t get it,” he says for the third time, while your head spins from the hundred other things you’re juggling. If you’re a solo parent supporting a child aged 6 to 12, this scene probably feels all too familiar.

Homework time can feel like a mountain you climb every night—alone. It’s not just about the subject matter; it’s about managing emotions, staying patient when you’re exhausted, and helping your child learn without sacrificing what’s left of your own energy. This isn't a checklist of tips. It's a compassionate deep-dive into how single parents can soften the weight of homework time—with real tools, gentle shifts and a bit of support from technology.

Start by Redefining Success

If you’re navigating solo parenting, one of the most powerful things you can do is redefine what success looks like during homework time. It’s not about getting every answer right, finishing faster, or acting like a flawless teacher. Success might be just sitting down together, calmly reviewing five questions, or helping your child feel brave enough to try something hard.

A parent I spoke with recently, Maria, shared how she stopped setting expectations of “perfect” homework time. Instead, she started aiming for “connection over correction.” That simple mindset shift—that learning happens best when the pressure is lowered—helped her child feel less anxious, and helped her end the evening with fewer tears (from both sides).

Build a Small, Repeatable Routine

One of the best ways to lower your mental load is to reduce decision fatigue. When your child already knows what to expect, you spend less time managing behavior or negotiating. Whether homework takes 20 or 40 minutes, anchor it in a predictable, repeatable rhythm. Consider:

• Lighting a candle when it’s homework time—small but symbolic
• Choosing a dedicated spot (even if it’s just one corner of the table)
• Creating a mini playlist to play quietly in the background

It doesn’t have to be fancy. One dad I know starts homework time by making hot cocoa and lighting a tiny desk lamp at the kitchen table—it’s simple, but it says, “We’re in this together. This is our calm space.”

If you feel short on time for set-up or don’t have energy for full-on homework battles, you’re not alone. This article on supporting your child's learning when you're short on time has gentle, practical strategies that pair well with routines.

Lean Into the Power of Independent Learning (Without Guilt)

A common struggle for single parents is feeling like you need to do it all—every subject, every page, every explanation. But empowering your child to review information on their own, even for a few minutes, can be a gift to both of you. This isn't disengagement. It’s encouraging healthy independence.

That might look like using short, personalized quizzes to review a lesson in a way that feels fun and tailored to your child. Apps like Skuli make this seamless by letting you snap a photo of a worksheet or textbook and automatically turning it into a 20-question quiz that your child can do on their own. One less thing for you to invent on the spot.

And if your child learns better by listening rather than reading (particularly those with ADHD or dyslexia tendencies), consider adding audio elements to their learning. Listening to a summary of today’s lesson while you drive to soccer practice or cook dinner can offer a break from paper and pencil—and still count as meaningful learning.

For more on fostering independent learning with digital tools, check out this guide on the best apps to help your child study while you’re working.

Make Room for Joy and Playfulness

Burnout sneaks in when everything becomes a grind. One of the most loving things you can do for both you and your child is to reintroduce a little joy into the learning process. Consider how learning becomes more fun when your child becomes the star of the story—literally!

Try transforming their reading or history lesson into an audio adventure, where your child becomes the main character navigating a magical forest or time-traveling through history. When kids hear their own name in a story tied to their curriculum, it delights them and helps them retain information. And for you? That’s 15 quieter minutes to answer emails or just exhale.

Our related piece on playful learning for single parents offers additional ideas to make homework time feel less heavy and more engaging.

You Don’t Have to Carry It All

You’re already doing one of the hardest jobs while wearing a hundred hats. It's okay, even necessary, to find ways to share the educational load—whether it's through routines, tech tools, or giving yourself permission to skip a question because connection matters more than completion.

Curating a small set of supportive resources can make a huge difference. Our roundup of helpful educational apps every single parent should know about can be a great place to start.

Above all, remember: you’re not failing if you feel tired. You’re showing up in the best way you can. And that—every single day—is enough.