Comments on: How to Win the Homework Wars

on 7/31/2006 If your child is at the age where you cannot effectively help them with their math homework (i.e., when they start algebra, unless you're just extraordinarily good at math), do not simply say "Go ask {older sibling}, they know it better than I do." That sibling, unless they took the same class the previous year, will probably just complicate matters further, because they will have been through a year of even higher math. Your child's teacher will instruct her how to do a problem X-way, and your child's sibling will know how to do it X-way, but will also know how to do it Y-way (and will be tempted to teach Y-way to their younger sister because it's usually easier). This creates conflict at school and at home and typically serves only to confuse the student having trouble.

on 2/21/2006 Eating breakfast every day will keep you full of energy in the classroom. Thus, you will pay a lot more attention in class and will have less struggle while doing homework later at night.