...at ages 8 and 9 they were horribly behind in school - mostly because they rarely attended. They were never enrolled in any pre-K or kindergarden classes because their biological parents did not want to wake up and get them out the door for classes.

My wife invested almost every school day evening for the rest of their school lives to getting their homework done, checking it and correcting it plus all sorts of other basic teaching about brushing your teeth, bathing, etc. She basically became both mom and teacher for the rest of their years at home.

She also watched over them to make sure they did not get into inappropriate internet sites or put their personal information on any website. She was the internet nazi to them, no Facebook, Instagram or whatever where they could get entangled with predators, etc. We did not allow them to have cellphones until they started driving, working outside the home and dating. We did our best.

Now I speak to my siblings and I hear the war stories about their kids and I think "Thank God my wife took parenting so very seriously." My kids may not be tremendously successful but they do have at least a high school diploma and basic knowledge.