Parent Involvement Really Makes a Difference!

Back to School! This is a crazy time of year for everyone: kids, parents, & teachers alike...though the pressures are different in many ways for each group, both parents and teachers would do well to take a moment to recognize how truly important their role is in helping kid's achieve success in school. We thought that school shopping for new clothes, shoes, and backpacks was tough then "homework" reared its challenging and intimidating head, and picking out the perfect back-pack seems like a walk in the park! It is true that some kids have very few struggles in school academically or socially, but this is not the case for many kids and their struggles become our struggles and if they don't, that is an even bigger problem! I know at the end of the day the last thing many parents want to do is fight over homework, attend yet another meeting, or sign "Kate" or "Joe" up for soccer, band, or chorus; but being involved, being supportive, and above all patient, will do your child a world of good, because they will know that you care!There is a saying I saw some years ago that goes something like this: "The only perfect parents are those that do not have any children"....as a parent of three kids myself I really appreciate the fact that it was, and is okay for me not to be "perfect"...good thing too or my husband and I would have been fired as parents a long time ago!! I remember dreading the day we would have to take our kids to collect leaves for the leaf collection project, practice multiplication facts a million times over, bake those last minute cookies, or order magazines we would never read....but we did it and our kids were, and are still better off because we were involved in their (school & personal) lives in every aspect ( even when they did not want us to be!) Many teachers are parents as well and sometimes need to step back and understand that despite the "dirty looks" and the "my dog ate my homework excuses", your students need you to be involved and supportive too even when they act as though they do not care...they do care, and want you to care too. Bottom line: Set limits, provide structure, avoid  over indulging, be involved and supportive, and every so often  tell your kid you are proud of them, they are listening! Have a Sensational September and chat with you in October! Best regards ~ Barbara