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10 ways you're helping your child fail in school and don't even realize it
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You already went to school! Been there, done that. You have too much work to do now to fit in reading a good book or showing your child that you still love art. Never talk about what inspired you to get where you are today; that will just bore her. - photo by Alicia Walters
School can be difficult. But are you encouraging or hindering your child's success? Here are 10 habits you may not realize are damaging to his or her success in school.

1. Forget about tomorrow morning.

Let her stay up late! Its not like she needs a full nights rest to do well in school; she can sleep in her desk! Besides, she hates bedtime and its so much easier to let her stay up with you and watch some of those funny late night television shows.

2. Dont ask her about her homework every day or how school is going.

You dont want to be a nag. Shes probably got it all figured out and will get great grades without your getting involved.

3. Dont worry about grades until a week or two before they come out.

You have plenty of time! Your schedule is too busy anyway to be bogged down with your childs education. If she misses class or a few assignments here and there, the teacher will gladly accept them until the last day of the term and if he doesnt, you can just call the principal and shell sort it all out.

4. Yell at your child until she gets her homework done.

Ground her and take away her cell phone. Thats how you really get someone motivated to work hard. If she complains, tell her you walked to school uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes; shell quickly realize that shes being ungrateful and get right to work.

5. Dont worry about attending Parent-Teacher Conference.

That teacher couldnt have anything helpful to say about how she is doing in his class. After all, what did he do with his life? Hes just a teacher. He better just shape up and do what you say, after all; youre the parent and you pay taxes.

6. Whenever she has a doctor or dentist appointment, be sure to make that appointment during her hardest class.

It will give her a much needed break and its not like youre worried about her making up the work. Thats the teachers problem, not yours.

7. Dont worry about whether your child has breakfast before she heads to school.

School is early enough; its not worth getting up earlier to make breakfast. Besides, its not like learning is a bodily function; its more of a brain function.

8. Dont praise your child if she does something well in school; it will just go to her head.

Your job is to motivate her by pointing out only the things she does wrong. After all, if you dont say it, who will?

9. If you have a complaint, always go straight to the top!

Principals love to get involved in every little situation; thats why theyre called princi-pals.

10. Dont worry about setting a good example of continued learning.

You already went to school! Been there, done that. You have too much work to do now to fit in reading a good book or showing your child that you still love art. Never talk about what inspired you to get where you are today; that will just bore her.