When your child is struggling with homework, what do you do?

All parents want to help, of course, but once in a while, it's not unheard of for a mom or dad to give too much help. Instead of guiding their kids along, they end up putting words in their children's mouths as they write an essay or give away the answers for the math homework due the next day.

Linda Cameron, a veteran teacher and professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, recently finished a major study on homework. In this article, published in Canada's Globe and Mail, Cameron advised parents to "be at the elbow, but don't hold the pen."

Moms and dads should think of themselves as coaches providing support and the tools. And when a child simply can't finish the homework, despite all the help and encouragement from his or her parents, it's important for the parent to send a note to the teacher explaining why the task isn't complete. It's better than cheating by doing the homework for them, according to education experts.

"I wrote many notes to school, saying we spent this much time on it and enough's enough, we need family time,” Cameron told the Globe and Mail.

The U.S. Department of Education publishes a guide called "Helping Your Child With Homework." Here are some tips from the publication: