Here's Liz Atwood's Tween Tuesday: 

School is about to begin, and I am both excited that the kids will embark on new adventures and dreading the frenetic schedule of getting the kids to school, sports events and club meetings. Worst of all, a new school year brings the resumption of homework.

While my eighth-grader is capable of coming home and getting right to work on his lessons, my third-grader procrastinates and refuses to begin his work until I can get home to help him. I’ve been wondering whether I could enlist his older brother in the effort.

On the one hand, it might foster brotherly bonding, as the older one helps the younger. On the other hand, it might just spawn more sibling arguments that I will have to diffuse when I get home.

This summer, we’ve had mixed results as the older son attempted to teach the younger one multiplication tables. At times, big brother got exasperated with his little brother’s inattention and the younger one thought the older brother was being mean.

I wonder if you have had experience enlisting older siblings in helping their younger brothers or sisters with their homework? Do you think it’s a good idea, or just asking for trouble? Should I offer to pay the older boy for tutoring the younger one or appeal to his sense of altruism? I’d like to hear your thoughts and experiences.