So I ponder this from time to time but wanted to open it up for discussion.

1. Does a child do poorly in school because the parents aren't doing their job?
or
2. Does a child do poorly in school regardless of parenting style/efforts?

I mean, I was not the best student in the world but I was also not the worst. I feel my parents OVER parented me while I was in school. But yet I see these kids who have no parental guidance and it's like a crap shoot...they either come out shinning stars or they come out "lil hommies".

Is it possible to damage your child by over parenting them thru school because it causes a negative rift between parent and child? Or is it the only way to insure your child succeeds? If you back off completely it seems like your kid can go eitherway on their own based on their little personalities.

Perhaps the foundation for doing good in school is only instilled in very early ages?

As a new father I just really don't want to mess up my daughter. But see also, if its out of my control whether she's a successful student or not, then that frees up a lot of potential stress later.