I love my kids and would do anything for them...but that's the problem.
It seems to me that, generally, if you do more for your kids, they lose
their need to think and act independently.

Growing up, I never (sorry mom) received much help with school work from
my mother. I was gone most of the day during the summer. Very independent.

My kids, even though I give them much more than I ever had (my wife's
upbringing was somewhat like mine too), have become dependents and not
only when it concerns the IRS...

My son turned in one of those posterboard projects last week. He didn't
tell me about it until the day before it was due...so basically he flew
solo on it. The data was correct, but his presentation was horrible and
he got a (generous) C on it.

Is this an epidemic with this generation???
Can you give your kids too much???

Jus' askin'

parents are competing with other parents to get good grades in primary school, sadly, kids doing the work themselves don't stand a chance

I have a 9 year old step daughter - My partner and I do help her with homework, but mostly in an "Overview" kind of way. That is we check the work after she has done it. This way, she does the work herself. We just help her to understand mistakes etc that she has made.

It is difficult to know how much help to give them, as the need for independant thinking is more important than great grades and no independant learning skills because Mum and Dad helped too much. I would prefer her to come home with a C grade from doing her own work than an A grade because we did 90% of it.

We also use Computer software such as Dorling Kindersley etc, great learning tools and fun to use for Kids. MSN Encarta is good to. The reason we let her use this is because Computers are essential in work and she is beginning to learn how to use PC's etc. She does well in her computer class at school

My Parents never helped me either, but I managed just fine. Didn't get great grades, but have self taught myself a lot since then.

Revolution said:

I think it's good for them to "think". Only IF they need help and I let them know, if they need help I am available.

I know what your talking about; the project and him not letting you know until it was just about due. My son would have been grounded for that .. Really!
Something like that should be checked and okay'd by a parent before it's considered finished and turned in.

Rebeccas said:

You bet he was grounded...
From what I'm seeing around me, it's not just my kids...it seems to
me that this generation of kids have very little gumption.

Just smack 'em upside the head

The problem with today's youth is that they toddle away with Angelina Jolie, change their name to "Pitt" and then slope off to Namibia when Ms. Jolie wants to spawn one of her own.

What's wrong with these crazy kids, today?

If one of my kids ever came to me with a project due the next day, I'd let his or her ass fall flat on their face.

my mama dropped the old line "they didn't have this when I was in school" line, so I was on my own most of the time.....she tried her best though Your son sounds like me.....I'm a procrastinator too. I have a project for one class due tomorrow....and a speech due the next day. I just started about 10 minutes ago