Back to School Parenting List

School just started here in Alamance County.  I spoke to one of the teachers at my children’s school about his emotions about sending his daughter off to college in another state.  Maybe some parents rejoice at the idea of the children going back to school.  However, some others also struggle to send their kids away to school.  It is also possible that school might also represent a renewal of anxiety and tension for both parent and child.  So here are my suggested back to school parenting tips.

Reasonable Wake-up Habits

Children need to have well-defined expectations when it comes to the school year.  It is important for them to wake up a the same time every day.  They need to be given enough time to get ready.  They also need to have a good healthy breakfast.   Your child’s morning routine should also be absent of raised voices or conflict.  I know this is hard especially if you have a slow riser the way we do.  It can certainly be challenging.

Parental Homework Supervision

Homework!  I hate even thinking about it.  As someone who did homeschooling for several years with an unmotivated child, I hate to think about managing homework.  If you have a child with ADHD, or a learning complication then homework can be very difficult.  Many times even if your child is an older teenager they are going to need accountability.  This may include the use of planners and other educational tool designed to help children succeed.  But at the end of the parents need to supervise homework to make sure things get done.

Proactive Teacher Communication

Communicating with teachers and school officials can be an important part of helping your child to succeed in school.  Many schools will work with you on setting up accommodations for children that need them.  Many schools have special classes for children who need them.  No matter the situation, your child is the beneficiary of a good relationship between teacher and parent.  It may be best for you to initiate a discussion about your child’s needs and classroom performance.

Limited Late Day Screentime

Another big issue especially for teenagers today is screen time.  It can also be a problem for younger children as well.  Smartphones, TV, and video games can be a distraction.  They can interfere with household responsibilities, homework, and bedtime habits.  One possible strategy is to not have children using screens late in the day.  Screen time stimulates the brain.  let stimulation helps with bedtime.  This is especially true of children who take medicines that interfere with sleep.

Daily Parent-Child Quality Time

Attachments and strong long lasting relationships are built by spending time together.  Ten minutes spent doing something together with your child can be instrumental in crafting a strong, intimate parent-child relationship.  Such relationships can help with school, home, and social problems.  Alfred Adler wrote in depth about the advantages of positive parenting.  A positive relationship is a benefit to parent and child

Reasonable Bedtime

Finally, for children to do well in school, they need to have enough sleep.  The National Sleep Foundation suggests that children 6-13 need nine to eleven hours of sleep and children 14-18 need eight to ten hours of sleep.  As mentioned, decreasing screen time can help in reducing cognitive stimulation.  It is also important to have consistent expectations in regards to bedtime.  Keeping the same bedtime helps children know what to expect.

Finally, I know your children are going to do great this year.  I know you are going to do great at helping them to succeed.  Don’t forget to do self-care for yourself.  You and your family will benefit from you taking care of yourself.  If you are interested in tips about self-care, click herefor an article I wrote about it.