Q: My New Year's resolution is to help my boys, ages 8 and 10, find the fun in learning. Tests have teachers so stressed that they're passing the worry to kids. What can parents do to help kids keep t... more
Q: My daughter, a high school senior, is a heavy social media user. She has a long Facebook history, some of which is not so flattering. She's applying to colleges, and her counselor suggested that sh... more
Q: My kids' cousins, ages 6 to 11, will visit over the holidays, and I don't want them all glued to video games. We need some educational and inexpensive -- but fun -- things to do. Do you have any su... more
Q: Our school district discourages holiday gifts to teachers and bans any gifts costing more than $50. I think the policy is very "Grinch-y." My daughter loves her teacher, and we want to give her a s... more
Q: My holiday tradition is to give my grandkids books as stocking stuffers. Now most of them have tablets. Is the pleasure of choosing and wrapping books for them over? Please give me guidance on sele... more
Q: Our first-grade daughter brings home sight words to practice, so I ordered sight-word flashcards. When I showed the teacher, she said the flashcards were based on a "Dolch" list and preferred that ... more
Q: My fourth-grader, Karina, has way more homework this year than last year. She works hard on it, but despite the time spent, doesn't always remember what she studies. Any suggestions?... more
Q: It's time for our parent teacher organization to stop sending paper newsletters home, but the president is worried that going digital will cause legal problems and exclude some parents. Haven't mos... more
Q: My daughter just started universal pre-kindergarten (UPK). At the open house, her teacher told us about new standards for our state and begged parents to help kids at home with skills. Single worki... more
Q: This far into the semester, my second-grader and fourth-grader still can't get into a school-year rhythm. The younger one forgets his lunch; the older one can't remember which night is Cub Scouts. ... more
Q: I'm active in my kids' schools. Several people are encouraging me to run for the school board. My husband worries it would be an all-consuming job. What is involved?... more
Q: Recently you mentioned research showing that intelligence isn't fixed -- that students' attitudes can improve their aptitudes. My 12-year-old son's mantra is "I can't do that." Jake thinks he's dum... more
Q: Our fourth-grade son's teacher is strict and he's having a hard time. I admit Jeremy doesn't always listen and often acts impulsively. My husband thinks it's good for him to be reined in, but I don... more
Q: My son Rashan got into a new, accelerated STEM program at a magnet middle school. He was excited until he and some other STEM students were taunted for "acting white." He gets ridiculed for reading... more
Q: Vocal parents in our district are fighting the Common Core State Standards. Some say it's federal government intrusion; others worry they're too hard for kids. Our school board (I'm a member) belie... more
Q: My third-grade son struggles with reading. His teacher isn't concerned. She says he needs more practice and suggests we read with him. I'm worried. His sister read well in second grade. Does he nee... more
Q: During the first week of school, my second-grade daughter's teacher suggested a conference. This soon? Does it mean there's something wrong?... more
Q: My two teens text constantly. Is there research showing that all those "LOLs" and grammar shortcuts hurt students' writing skills? I'd love a reason to make them put down their phones.... more
Q: My daughter is a fifth-grader. On her teacher's website, it says the class will have "Maker Days" once a month. Students should bring "raw materials for tinkering." My daughter professes ignorance.... more
Q: I overheard a mom in a checkout line tell her kids that she had little money for school supplies this year, and they'd have to "scrounge." I wanted to offer to pay for some, but it was awkward. Her... more
Q: My 14-year-old stepdaughter says she only needs seven hours of sleep, though her moods suggest otherwise. How much sleep do teens need each night, during the school year?... more
Q: We're looking for a preschool for our 3-year-old, Leon. My sister says, "Preschool is the new kindergarten, so prepare him for structure." Leon can hardly sit still! How can we find one that doesn'... more
Q: In May, we gave my nephew, Brody, a substantial check for his high school graduation. He deserved it, graduating third in his class, but he's never thanked us. I adore him, but this drives me crazy... more
Q: My daughter, a high school freshman, does well in math and science. Her counselor suggested that we find her a female mentor to foster her interest in these subjects and help her set career goals. ... more
Q: I feel guilty when I see the note my son's third-grade teacher sent home in June: "Read lots of nonfiction this summer!" He likes Lemony Snicket books, but other stuff? Not so much. Why the push fo... more
Q: I'm an undergraduate in education, and I'm baby-sitting several 5-year-olds this summer. They are driving me crazy with questions: why, why, why! How can I use their curiosity to develop their brai... more
Q: My son wants to be assigned a particular fifth-grade teacher this fall because she coaches the school's robotics club. There's a "no requests" policy, but we can submit a profile of our child for c... more
Q: My son Ben, a rising high school freshman, had an academic setback this year. I know he can do better, but he now thinks he's "dumb." He's dropping his old friends and hanging out with slackers. Ho... more
Q: My daughter, Caroline, is a top student who hates to see school end. She's a rising fifth-grader, reading at a high-school level. What can I do to keep her challenged until school starts? We can't ... more
Q: Our district tested the Common Core State Standards this spring. One of my son's third-grade classmates refused to take the test on his father's orders. His dad, a high school teacher, thinks the C... more