I get so frustrated when my kids can't solve math problems that are tricky but not hard

[Anonymous]

and the frustration comes from the disappointment of knowing my kids are not smarter than me. and i'm not smart or ever a math whiz to begin with, i actually failed math in MS and HS a few times.

has anyone felt the same? wishing your kids were smarter than you?

[Anonymous]

Wow.

[Anonymous]

You may want to get your kids some tutoring, OP, because your innumeracy is probably causing your kids' problems. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, like "blame the mom," because I hate that kind of attitude. But there was a study that just came out a few months ago - University of Missouri?? - that showed that children who didn't understand numbers as concepts (not just counting) by the time they hit kindergarten/first grade were way more likely to be bad at math by later grades. They get left behind, and it gets far hard to catch up later.

In any case, if you were bad at math you probably still don't have a strong conceptual understanding of math and when your kids were preschool age you may not have taught them to think about math beyond basic counting. If they then didn't pick it up the conceptual approach in kindergarten or 1st grade, then because of the progressive nature of mathematics instruction, they may be falling behind every year.

In any case, they can get caught up now with the right tutoring. I'd get them help now rather than just assume that they aren't innately smart.

[Anonymous]

I agree with pp that you need to get tutoring for your DC. You don't need to be a math prodigy or be "good at math" to understand elementary school math or even high school math.

Get your kid some help to brush up on basics and understanding math concepts. It'll only get worse otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Stop projecting on your kids.

We all can't be math geniuses. Teach them to work hard.

[Anonymous]

ok this is the most recent problem my 7-YOs couldn't figure out that frustrated me. i think it's purely an intelligence issue which a tutor can do nothing about. wrong?

15, 30, 20, 27, 25, 24, 30, 21, 35, 18, __, __

[Anonymous]

No, I think a tutor could help a student figure out how to organize information and look for options systematically. For example, in this case, to break this down into two separate sequences, one increasing and one decreasing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I think a tutor could help a student figure out how to organize information and look for options systematically. For example, in this case, to break this down into two separate sequences, one increasing and one decreasing.

BTW, I would not expect a 7-year-old to get this on his own.

[Anonymous]

I'm a smart guy, have always done well in math and have a graduate degree in a hard science and it took me a bit of time looking at the problem before it clicked. I imagine a lot of smart 7 year olds might have issues with these kinds on problems. They're trying to get them to critically think about problems, and this will definitely improve with time.

[Anonymous]

OP, you really need to get a grip. I pity your poor kids if you don't. Like the PP said, stop projecting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ok this is the most recent problem my 7-YOs couldn't figure out that frustrated me. i think it's purely an intelligence issue which a tutor can do nothing about. wrong?

15, 30, 20, 27, 25, 24, 30, 21, 35, 18, __, __

8:19 again. That is exactly the kind of problem that requires a conceptual understanding of math rather than an ability to count. A good tutor will absolutely be able to help your kid understand this. This is not an intelligence issue. 99% of math is practice. It's not an innate thing.

The good news is that you've caught the problem early. It's great that you have recognized that there is an issue. Bring in someone who is qualified to help.

[Anonymous]

I am very good at math and this is not obvious.

[Anonymous]

has anyone felt the same? wishing your kids were smarter than you?

No. Not at all. I am probably slightly smarter than my kid, but he is perfectly smart enough, and has a terrific personality that I think will get him far in life.

[Anonymous]

Can someone else ask what the answer is?!

[Anonymous]

You cannot tell at age 7 how smart your kid is going to be. I hope you are encouraging of your kids and don't project your feelings on to them. My advice to you (as an ex-teacher) is to stay out of their homework & leave the teaching to the teacher. Just show them you are proud of their achievements and expect them to do their homework and try hard.

That problem is hard for that age.