Homework Torture

One thing the Wife and I consistently when correcting the kids’ homework is we tell them something is wrong, but not what exactly it is. This tactic is most effective with math, but certain other homework that involves multiple choice or simple question and answer formats are fair game.

Of the two, the boy is the more easily provoked when we do this. Unfortunately for himself, he doesn’t have anyone else to blame but himself. He’ll take the homework back and quickly gloss over all of his answers and declare “There’s nothing wrong.” He’ll then start a game of trying to tease some detail out of us. He’ll want a hint or he’ll just feign that he doesn’t care and say he’s turning it in. He’s never followed through on that, which is bad for bluffing.

Often times, he’ll go to the other parent for confirmation that he does, in fact, have some errors. Mostly, he’s hoping the other parent will spill the beans.

The great irony of all the effort he goes through is that all the time he wastes trying to get us to tell him could be spent searching it out. In fact, most times he could figure it out in little more time than it took him to complete that portion of homework himself. We typically point this out to him, and receive annoyed grunts in return.

The lass, too, will get frustrated. But she doesn’t typically go through all the shenanigans attempting to get us to tell her exactly what is wrong. Her homework assignments are short enough that she doesn’t feel the need yet I guess.