<p>Progress reports. Do you know how many times they are tossed in the trash as soon as the kid leaves the class? We have it on our school calendar when the progress reports are set to come out. </p>
<p>At my sons’ HS, I truly believe that many of the parents do not care. Then, when things are bad, they like to blame. The first person that they blame – the teacher. Never mind that the teacher called, left messages, sent e-mails, sent letters, etc. My son (I teach in his school) says that he always hears kids complaining that Mr. So-and-So is a terrible teacher or that Mrs. So-and-So does not care. Meanwhile, those same teachers tell students and parents that they will be available for extra help on these particular days. And no one comes.</p>
<p>My oldest son always wanted us involved. Always wanted us to put a second eye to an essay he wrote for this class or that class. He’s a National Merit scholar with a full ride, a triple major who also will earn a masters before the end of his four years of school. The younger son has not wanted our involvement as much, but he knows that we are more than willing to assist with proofing an essay or looking over a long assignment with many elements to make sure that he has everything done. If that’s being helicopter parents, well, we’re guilty.</p>