M.G.
I can relate to how Veruca feels about her Mom's efforts, or lack thereof, when she was a child. My situation was different, my Mom was a single working parent, but she never did ANYTHING with my school. I ask my kiddos questions all the time about what assignments they have, my mother never had a clue of what was going on at school. She would have never known if I was flunking. Now in some ways I guess that made me be responsible for myself, but I don't think it would have taken much effort on her part to ask me how things were going and what was happening at school. I was VERY wild as a junior and senior in high school because my Mom didn't have an idea where I was or what I was doing. That will not happen with my children.
If there is problem with a teacher at school I coach my kiddos about how to talk to that teacher themselves. If they are not able to resolve a situation I will definitely get involved. I try to find a balance between being involved and letting them do things for themselves, but my children know I care.
M