Julie and Jane state that they were enrolled in a modified program in school and recognize their limitations when it comes to helping their children with homework. Jane admits that even then "[I] had a hard time to understand what I was reading when I was - I was in high school. It was discouraging." In discussing the notices and homework that her children bring home, she comments that "sometimes there once in a while a questionnaire is there, I'll have to stop and think. But then, other than that there's not too bad…His - uh - homework…Once in a while there I'll have to observe there and just look at it." Jane explains that when her oldest son in grade 7 has difficulties, she is unable to provide assistance. She says, "sometimes I have a hard time helping and stuff… because it's regular grade 7 work and I didn't do regular grade 7 work…I was in a modified class so it's like, I can't [help him]."

When the homework routine was discussed with Natalie, she explains that she had been facing problems since the beginning of the school year in getting her son to do his work:

First week after school started this year, I was already on the phone to the teacher. You know, I'm very particular what I can do with them at homework time…But I said, "You know if I can't get him to do it, it will be incomplete and he'll have to stay after school and do it…"

She reported that recently the problems escalated, "Now it's - last couple of weeks - it's 'I'll do it later, I'm not doin' homework now Mom. Here is my bag, see you.' He's out the door, eh." Natalie describes how homework time goes in her household:

I mean we could start homework, if he got home at 2:30 from school, it would be 5 o'clock. And okay, I mean it would be done. Sometimes it wouldn't be done. And I have learned now to do what we can do. When it becomes stressful, it's time to stop.