I watch grades like a hawk. Don’t you?

Have you signed all those emergency cards?

It never fails that the first day of school comes with homework – that is homework for the parents.

And, in our house we’re already talking about video games and homework.

Based on my own past experience, my best advice is to set boundaries and standards early in the school year.

I think most school districts by now have a great tool for you to use.

We utilize the online grading system called “Skyward” for our kids. What this software allows you to do is see your kids’ grades pretty much in real time.

When a teacher enters a grade, it’s there online – not like the old days where they kept everything in a binder.

I love this technology. My kids, well, it’s safe to say they love it less than I do.

One of the things that we watch very carefully are “zeroes.” We look out for anything in the gradebook that comes with no score.

Reality is that a zero typically means an assignment didn’t get turned in.

One of the carrots we have is our Xbox 360. There is high interest among our boys in playing that little black box.

So, here’s our rule: If you get a zero, say on a Tuesday, there are no video games on that day. “Try again tomorrow,” we’ll tell them.

You may have different rules in your house. You may have different “carrots” as well.

But, here’s the bottom line: It’s easier to set expectations at the beginning of the year than it is to help Johnny dig his way out once the grade starts to plummet.

And there may be some extra motivation involved if one of your kids is grounded while the other one plays.

If you’re ready to restrict privileges, be ready for all the responses. I’ve heard them all. “We had a sub and she didn’t grade the assignment” … “The teacher never told us it was due today.” … “I turned it in and the teacher must have lost it.”

Stay firm – whether they’ll admit or not, your kids need and like boundaries. That’s why they test them.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth football dad and changes diapers. He’s experienced many things as a parent, but is absolutely clueless about raising daughters.

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