When I was a small child in the public school system, the PTA was overflowing with parents. Everyone wanted to do their part in helping out their child’s school. Parents would organize fundraisers, donate supplies and even volunteer their time to come into the classroom and help the teacher and students. Being an active part of your child’s education was a given and something you did in order to be an effective parent. Support for a child’s education did not stop there though. Once a child went home, their mother and father would sit with them and help them complete their homework. I remember when my biggest concern with homework completion was that the parents would confuse my students by teaching them the way “we did it as kids”.
It is amazing how much this has changed over the years. Many parents have become distant from the public school system. They do not attend parent teacher conferences or return phone calls. Sometimes they don’t even leave a way to contact them. I cannot tell you how many times I have called a parent to update them on their child’s progress, just to find out that their phone number has been disconnected and that they neglected to give their new number to the school. And I use the word neglected because I truly feel that many parents are guilty of just that … educational neglect.
These days, parents do not see that they play a role in their child’s education. Children are expected to complete their homework on their own, organize their own book bags and pack their own lunches. Is it a wonder why little Johnny is coming into school with incomplete homework, no pencils and Doritos for lunch? Children only know what we teach them. The years that we spend helping them with homework and teaching them how to be organized and healthy will follow through to their adulthood. The habits that they develop now will be the habits they have for life. It is NOT the sole job of your child’s teacher to educate your child. Our children are quite intuitive. They pick up on much more than we realize. I guarantee that if you are not interested in your child’s education, then they aren’t either.
With all this said, I also understand that we live in a different world than we did 30 years ago. Our society no longer allows for one parent to remain home during the day and make parenting their full time job. The cost of living in America is so high that, in many families, both parents must contribute financially. No one is saying that it is going to be easy … but you MUST make the time. If you show your child that you can find the time to make their education important, then they will find time to do the same.
Pointers for Busy Parents
- Give your child’s teacher your email address. That way you can have an open line of communication and you don’t need to make yourself available during working hours.
- Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). They always meet at night to accommodate everyone’s schedules and they will keep you apprised of important issues in your school that you may of otherwise never known about.
- Use one of your vacation days to volunteer in your child’s school. I know that you would rather save that day to use on the beach later on in the year… but remember, your child is watching. If you use one of you vacation days to come to school, they will see how important it is to come as well.
- ALWAYS sit with your child as they complete their homework. Don’t do it for them, but sit next to them as they complete it. Read a book or write in a journal, but do some activity that looks similar to the homework that they have. This way you are modeling the importance of completing homework and you are available for them if they need help.
- Pack your child’s backpack and lunch the night before and ask your child to help you. Use this opportunity to reinforce how to organize their backpack and pack a healthy lunch.
- Do your best to have a family dinner every night. Studies have shown that students who have family dinners are more likely to do well in school (Not to mention, they are less likely to do drugs). Use this time to talk about your child’s school day and ask them what they have learned.
I hope you will find my suggestions helpful and that you will consider this… Parents are the first teachers that a child has. You have an important job. Please take it seriously.
