THE LAPIAS

Kathy and Jim LaPia of Branford, Connecticut, used to waste precious evening time battling over homework with their daughter, now 11. "I couldn't get Lisa to stop playing," remembers Kathy. "[Even] once we got started [on homework], I couldn't get her to pay attention to the instructions."

Frustrated, they decided to offer incentives. Kathy drew a wheel on cardboard and affixed a spinner to the center. Each of its colored wedges represented a different reward. Since both parents wanted to avoid setting cash prizes for doing homework, the rewards involve spending more time together as a family. "One prize is 10 hugs and kisses from Mom and Dad," says Kathy. "Another is the chance to select a special dinner."

Three-and-a-half years after introducing the Homework Wheel, Lisa and her younger brother, Brandon, nine, still enjoy taking a spin on it. Rewards like "Stay up an extra half hour on the weekend" or "Play a game with Mom and Dad" never seem to grow old, says Kathy.

Getting to play the Homework Wheel has itself become a special occurrence. "They have both become motivated on their own," explains Kathy, "so more and more we just spin it for fun."

RESOURCES

Megaskills at the Home and School Institute (1500 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005; 202-466-3633) offers information and help for parents with homework concerns.