As parents, we want our kids to be successful in school. However, some parents take helping too far. In an article in the February 25, 2007 issue of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, it was pointed out that some parents “help” too much. Teachers are seeing book reports written with language far beyond a child’s normal vocabulary. A tell-tell sign that the child didn’t write the report or received extra “help”. Another example that teachers are seeing a lot is in the case of science fair projects. Some of the projects are too complex for the child to explain, again, a sign that the child didn’t create the project. Some parents want their child to win a prize so badly that they “help” their child.
It’s one thing to want our kids to get good grades but we should stop short of doing their work for them. Soon kids will probably have to do all of their work at school so that teachers are satisfied that the kids and not their parents are doing the work.
If we see our kids struggling we can step in and help them, make sure they understand the assignment or work with them to come up with an idea for a science fair project. Unfortunately, some parents come up with the idea for the project, buy the supplies and actually take over the project. In the case of science fairs, it certainly is not fair for the kids who worked hard independently to compete with a project completed by an adult who is probably much more competent than your average sixth grader.
Should we let our kids fail? You bet. Your kids will survive. The idea is that your child does his work to the best of his ability. If you see that your child is having problems in a particular area, it’s better to get him a tutor or talk with his teacher. But don’t do the work for him. Even if it’s the 11th hour and your child has not completed his project, you should sit on your hands rather than use them to complete the project yourself.
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