An involved parent can be the difference between academic success and a child falling by the wayside. We want our kids to be at the top of their game, and we want their grades to show their hard work and dedication too. But you have to make sure you aren't hovering over your kids as they finish the work meant for students, not their parents.

There are ways you can be there for your kids, without interfering with their education. Here are three ways to enhance an education, and the homework that comes with it.

The bigger your kids get, the more complicated their school work becomes. You don't want your child to get completely frustrated when a subject gets tough and, even worse -- give up. But sometimes your kid just needs to focus, not for you to call in the troops. It's a fine line between giving your child what she needs and going overboard in the pursuit of a perfect GPA for her transcript.

Tutors can be an excellent tool for a kid who needs a boost, but knowing when to make the call is as important as knowing who in the heck to call in the first place. Here are three reasons to hire a tutor for your child, and three ways to make sure you're getting a quality tutor.

Chances are if you have kids in school, it's been a long time since you've been crammed in the desk yourself. Some refresher courses are in order, but you don't have time to spend a year or two in the school system. Luckily, there are a lot of filmmakers who are also concerned about the state of schools in America, and what our kids are doing today. There are some fantastic movies out there, that entertain while informing, and you need to head to your DVD store, log on to Netflix, or whatever it is you do to get your movies on before the first day of school.

Here are five great movies about education, every mom should see before your kid goes back to school.

Chances are your kids know more about apps than you do. Which is why you need to get out there and find out what the heck they're doing! There are some great apps for your smartphone, iPad, and wherever else apps are popping up that can help your kid get a leg up on her education.

So hand over the electronics, and let your kids play these 7 apps that will teach them as they commandeer your gear.

Homework, as we all know, is a big drag. Basically, anytime you tell a kid to sit down and put pencil to the paper, you're going to meet resistance. Which is why it's a great idea to get kids excited about learning without them even realizing they're working hard. You, too, can make your home a fun-filled, game-loving place while still teaching your kids the reading, writing, arithmetic, and more.

If you don't have these five games in your family game night arsenal, it's time to update your catalog so your kids can learn all day and night, while having the best time ever.

As you shop for your child's supplies list in preparation for the big first day of school, don't forget his teacher! You know, the person who created that list, who's setting up the classroom and writing lessons plans into the wee hours of the morning. These men and women aren't just the people at the head of the class telling your child which page to open his book up to every day, they are your partners in your child's education.

Which means, you've got to pull your weight! Here are five meaningful ways you can help out your kid's teacher, and he or she, in turn, can help your kid.

The alarm clock is buzzing, and everyone is stumbling blindly into the hallway. It's the first day of school, guys! If your house becomes a chaotic place in the hours before everyone leaves for work, school, and any other stops along the way, you need a new method to your family madness.

Rather than hire a personal assistant for everyone in your household, take control of the daily goings-on between your walls. There are a few simple but very effective ways to simplify your morning routine. Avoid the early a.m. meltdowns, and give your kids a great start to their day by making these five changes:

Lazy days, late nights, and summer fun are all about to end with the start of another new school year. While you enjoy the final few days of schedules with major wiggle room, don't wait until the last night of vacation to remind your kids everything is about to change.

Adjusting back to the school year schedule isn't just a good way to prevent lots of scrambling at the last minute, it's a good way to give your kid the best possible start to the school year as well.

So kick it into gear, and give these three strategies a try to make your transition back to school a smooth one.