04/11/2026
ABC's of Homework
For many families, homework is the number one source of conflict between parents and their kids. When kids won't do their homework or the quality of work is poor, the sparks begin to fly.
John Rosemond, author, believes parents should follow these ABC guidelines regarding the issue of homework:
B. Back Off. Backing off means refusing to give children help with homework unless absolutely necessary. Although this is often difficult for parents, they need to realize that when children say, "I need help," it doesn't actually mean they do. According to Rosemond, when kids ask for help, about 80% of the time they are looking for mom or dad to solve a problem or bail them out of a situation that has frustrated them. When parents jump in to fix or bail out, they confirm for their children that they indeed were unable to solve the problem themselves. Backing off while supporting and encouraging your kids is the way to go. Even if kids fail, they will learn important life lessons.