As a child, I disliked math -- mainly because it was hard for me, and I didn't grasp the concepts as quickly as my classmates. It didn't matter how much you told me I'd need it for cooking and money management; I'd laugh and say, "I'll make my roommates or husband cook, and they can take care of the bills, too!" I didn't take it seriously -- it was far in the future, not applicable in the now.

What I didn't realize was how mathematics affect our learning skills. As noted in Transfer of Learning:Cognition, Instruction, and Reasoning by Robert E. Haskill, "Practically all educational and training programs are built upon the fundamental premise that human beings have the ability to transfer what they have learned from one situation to another . . ."

The inherently logical nature of math trains our brain to see patterns and connections in every aspect of educational training. It's easier to draw allusions and allegory in literature, notice rhythm and meter in poetry, recognize the patterns of historical events, and make chemical and biological connections in the sciences. Math is essential to every field of learning. If you persist in your mathematical studies, just to the point of grasping and understanding the concepts, you can only excel in every other discipline you attempt.

I still am not overly fond of math. However, I will admit that if you give yourself the time and put forth an extra study effort, math is rewarding in it's own right. There's something inherently satisfying about grasping the concept behind a formula and being able to consistently apply it; especially when you find math difficult.

I suggest, when doing her homework, your daughter should do her math first. I always found it helpful to get the math out of the way and "reward" myself by breezing through the subject I was naturally better at.