Question: How do I convince my middle-school-age kids that school is important and that getting an education is essential? Their grades are slipping and they complain about how boring the work is.

Answer: Education is the platform on which your children are building their future. Inspire them with your belief that they can and will stay the course to reach their dreams.

Your kids' schooling is their occupation, except they don't get a paycheck to keep them trudging through the hard days. Worse, the middle-school years are ripe with developmental changes that distract kids from learning.

Confidence is easily shaken in early adolescence. Social pressures intensify. Gaps in skills catch up with kids during middle school. Is boring code for struggling?

Don't dismiss the complaints. Ask the kids to tell you more. Talk until you identify the core issues.

Make clear that you'll support your children through their tough times. Start by supervising homework, and offer help when needed. Never waver from reinforcing that education is a necessity for future success.

Talk with teachers to learn more about your kids' challenges and ask for ideas about helping them through the rough patches.

Have a parenting question? Call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996 or 1-877-695-7996, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The Family Support Line is a program of Families First, sponsored in part by the Rocky Mountain News.