A growing trend in urban areas, especially with wealthy families, is to hire a homework helper.  This person is designated to, not so much tutor, but to supervise the homework completion.  They may provided services such as assisting a student become more organized.  Some may provide the occasional academic assistance but they are mainly there to keep the student focused on the homework assignments.

When I read this article in the New York Times, I initially thought it must be some kind of joke.  Unfortunately, it is not.  Parents are really paying people to come to their home and supervise the homework hour so that they won't have to do it.  How ridiculous!  One parent claims she uses this service so that she and her son won't fight over homework.  Isn't that nice?  Pay someone else to do your job as a parent!

Sure, academics are important and we all want to see our kids do well.  But what's more important is for your kids to know that you actually care about them.  Sometimes that is displayed in getting them extra help when they need it and you aren't equipped or capable of providing it.  But, most of the time it is just being there to teach them what is important.  Parents who are outsourcing their jobs are missing out.  Sure there will be fights along the way, but you will also gain insight to your child's life, interests, and concerns that you wouldn't otherwise get.