4. Is it okay to bribe my child to do homework?

Some parents think that bribes, or "incentives," can motivate an unmotivated child. I've heard of stars, stickers, TV or Nintendo time, an hour of roller-blading, ice cream, and even a fishing trip being used as the little bit of honey that makes the medicine go down. One mother I know has established a ritual of mailing her son's best work to his grandparents and finds that this intangible prize inspires him to spend more time on his essays.

Ideally, every child would find "personal satisfaction" enough of a reward to finish homework, but often, particularly for younger children, this isn't the case. If you decide to use an incentive, use a small sticker or a star for completing an assignment, then gradually wean the child off such incentives when they no longer seem necessary.

Or, you could use a motivational tool such as a homemade spinner, and fill in each section with a reward or privilege your child would like, such as "stay up 15 minutes late" or "choose one dinner menu." Each time your child completes his homework according to your agreed-upon rules, let her spin the spinner.

Other educators disapprove of bribes in any form. Homework is part of a child's responsibility. Just as adults have work, so do kids. The wisest decision may be to use bribes only as a last resort, and even then judiciously.