Solving Math Problems for Homework

Sometimes my children need help with their homework. Unfortunately, it's never with American History or literature. No, my children need help with math. Math isn't too difficult for me as long as there are no letters involved. Lucky for my children and me, we haven't reached that stage yet.

One of my children has entered the wonderful world of integers. It's something I haven't had to worry about since 1990. Lucky for me, the idea of integers hasn't changed much in the past 30 years, but that doesn't make it any easier for either of us. My child needs to add a negative in their equations. I find this to be foolish. Why not just subtract a number instead of adding a negative number. When is my child actually going to face a situation where they are told to add a negative? Is this what people are doing now? Instead of subtracting we're, "adding negatives"?

So, why are we going ahead and "adding negatives"? I honestly don't know the answer to this, so we just go ahead and forge through the assignment. Occasionally, we'll hit a bump and need to discuss the problem amongst ourselves. Sometimes, Lovie will join us and we will try to figure out what needs to be done in a certain situation. Honestly, this is the easy stuff. Things get difficult when fractions get involved. Children's eyes glaze over and it's all I can do to keep them focused on the task at hand.

Homework seems Simple Enough

That's the homework routine. There are still some easy duties now and then, like when I have to check work for word problems. That I can do with no problem. Someone needs 12 items and they cost $2 each. Write the equation and figure it out. It's multiplying and adding. You don't need to subtract a negative in this situation. Things are pretty simple and that's how I like it. Just like when I was in school, I liked it when the work was simple and nothing was too difficult for me.

Back to the present time and assignment. While helping (or trying to help) my child with homework, there will be a math problem that requires a little extra thought and work. When this happens, my child will reach for their calculator or smart device for help with the answer. When this happens, I immediately mute the devices and deny them access to calculators (phones). Yes, I know. I'm mean. I pull out the ancient pencil and paper and make them figure out the problem with minimal help from me. This is when my youngest daughter asks me if I rode a chariot to school.