When I entered my junior year of high school, I had a lot of optimism. Almost immediately, all of it disappeared. I played soccer, which motivated me to succeed in other areas of my life. During a game early in the season, I broke my foot, requiring two months in a cast and one month on crutches. Each day was taxing physically but more so emotionally. Day after day, my grades went down and I increasingly fell behind in my school work. My parents and teachers were concerned. Teachers had a number of conversations with me about my performance. I felt alone and desperate. I even cheated on an exam, something I had harshly judged others for doing before. Failure was in and all around me.

If you have a child who is failing, I know at least a little of how he or she feels. Are report card days filled with anxiety and arguing? Are you consistently concerned about the direction your child is headed? Here are 5 things to do when your kid isn’t making the grade.