Wednesday, August 25, 2021 / by Natasha Salter
Have a Great School Year
Yep, it's that time of year again. Summer is over and we're sending our precious babies back to school. If you're like me, this brings on mixed emotions lol:) Even in the pre-pandemic world, sending your kids to school was stressful. Now, adding in all of these extra factors and protocols, it can really feel overwhelming. There are some things we can't control, but there are a few things we can do to make this school year great. I've talked to some of my favorite teachers and gotten a few tips to share with you.
1. Be patient with your child. They are learning new routines, procedures and teachers. Many students haven't been inside a school building in over a year. This is bound to an anxious time for them, so give them a little grace in getting adapted.
2. Have good communication with their teachers. Teachers and parents have the same goal; seeing the child successfully complete the grade level. In order to reach this common goal, you have to work together. Talk to your child's teacher about your concerns as well as good things you observe. Let them know about things that may affect your child's behavior or classwork. Also, encourage your child to talk to their teachers.
3. Help your child become responsible. Let them stumble a little, maybe face some consequences, perhaps get a low grade; it will probably be okay. This is especially true for those of us with older babies. Allow them to handle some things on their own and hold them accountable.
4. Develop a good after school routine. For some, this will be to jump into homework right away. For others, this will be a nap/snack and then homework. Also, take into consideration their extracurricular activities. The bottom line is, there is no one correct routine. You may even need different routines for each of your children. Together, you can decide what's going to be the best way to get homework and house responsibilities taken care of. Setting the expectations early can lead to less frustration later.
5. Be nice to the school staff. We are all going through this difficult time together. Tensions seem to be at an all time high, but let's not take that out on each other. Let's all remember that often times the school staff is just relaying messages and following the rules they've been given. If you disagree with something, respectfully report it to the people in charge.
As a former middle school teacher, I understand the struggles of the beginning of the school year. The entire family has to adjust back into the school groove. But don't fret, take a deep breath, give yourself a little grace and enjoy even the chaotic moments:) At the end of the day focus on what's important; are your kids healthy, loved and taken care of. I hope these tips were helpful and that everyone has an amazing school year!
Peace * Love * Real Estate
1. Be patient with your child. They are learning new routines, procedures and teachers. Many students haven't been inside a school building in over a year. This is bound to an anxious time for them, so give them a little grace in getting adapted.
2. Have good communication with their teachers. Teachers and parents have the same goal; seeing the child successfully complete the grade level. In order to reach this common goal, you have to work together. Talk to your child's teacher about your concerns as well as good things you observe. Let them know about things that may affect your child's behavior or classwork. Also, encourage your child to talk to their teachers.
3. Help your child become responsible. Let them stumble a little, maybe face some consequences, perhaps get a low grade; it will probably be okay. This is especially true for those of us with older babies. Allow them to handle some things on their own and hold them accountable.
4. Develop a good after school routine. For some, this will be to jump into homework right away. For others, this will be a nap/snack and then homework. Also, take into consideration their extracurricular activities. The bottom line is, there is no one correct routine. You may even need different routines for each of your children. Together, you can decide what's going to be the best way to get homework and house responsibilities taken care of. Setting the expectations early can lead to less frustration later.
5. Be nice to the school staff. We are all going through this difficult time together. Tensions seem to be at an all time high, but let's not take that out on each other. Let's all remember that often times the school staff is just relaying messages and following the rules they've been given. If you disagree with something, respectfully report it to the people in charge.
As a former middle school teacher, I understand the struggles of the beginning of the school year. The entire family has to adjust back into the school groove. But don't fret, take a deep breath, give yourself a little grace and enjoy even the chaotic moments:) At the end of the day focus on what's important; are your kids healthy, loved and taken care of. I hope these tips were helpful and that everyone has an amazing school year!
Peace * Love * Real Estate
