Summer breaks can be very taxing for parents. Keeping their children entertained throughout with healthy activities and away from devices can be very challenging. It is even harder for single parents or households where both the parents are working. They need to arrange childcare which can be tedious. This is why, when the new school year starts, it is the parents who are celebrating the most. Back to school means they’d be able to set a good routine for their children. Also, the children would get occupied by their coursework and would find lesser time to say, “I am bored!” 

This indeed is very exciting and a long due break for parents. But it also means keeping up with your child(s)’ coursework as well as their progress in class. New studies have shown that parental involvement positively boosts their child’s performance at school and reduces dropout and absenteeism rates. But the reality is it is very unfair to expect maximum involvement from working parents. They already have their hands tied with work, household chores, expenses, spending quality time with their children at home, and whatnot. It is a bit harsh to expect them to show up at every meeting or event at school.

As there has been inflation all over the world, parents’ sole focus has become working harder just to provide the basics to their families. This is why schools and teachers are constantly looking for ways to cut parents some slack and keep them in the loop without taking much of their precious time. Teachers are now enrolling themselves in online MA in Urban Education to learn how to effectively teach in an urban school environment and ways to involve parents to ensure better student performance.

We understand how overwhelming the school year can be for invested parents like you. You are trying your best, yet you still feel like it is not good enough. Thus, we have listed down some ways you can stay on top of the game without doing a lot.

Embrace the transition

Planning and preparation can ease a lot of stress and anxiety in yourself and your children. Take the last week or two of vacations to gather all the necessary school supplies. You can discuss school pick-up and drop plans with your partner or look for the right school bus or transportation. You can also set the clocks right and fix a strict routine for your children. Transitioning back to school, bedtime and wake-up time can do wonders because a well-rested child will be more attentive in class. If your child received holiday homework or reading lists, you can check the progress and make sure all of it is completed on time. You can also visit your doctor with your child for a detailed physical and eye exam before school starts.

Keep in touch with other parents

It is always a good idea to interact with your children’s friends’ parents. By forming a support group, you can stay up-to-date about the happenings at school. You can cover for another parent when they aren’t able to pick up their child from school or miss soccer practice. Likewise, they can do the same for you. Similarly, gathering parents together over some problem can put pressure on the school’s administration to ensure a timely solution to the issue. Messaging applications like WhatsApp and social media sites like Facebook are excellent platforms to connect.

Communicate with Teacher

Thanks to the internet, communication has never been easier. Many schools now have formed their portals to put up important notices, assignments, and announcements for students and their parents. If not, you can communicate with the teacher over texts. You can inform them how you’d require a check-in periodically and take an update.

Visiting the school is always a good idea for anything that requires immediate attention. Usually, open days or the report days are already crowded with parents, and teachers fail to give undivided attention to each parent. This is why choosing a regular day that fits your schedule is ideal. Request to meet the teacher and discuss the syllabus, your child’s progress, and the upcoming school schedule. This gives a clear message to the teacher that you are completely involved and keeping track of everything that happens at school.

Create a fun study-spot

Your child must enjoy studying and not take it as punishment. After a long, tiring day at school, students wish to unwind at home by watching television or playing games. They completely forget about their homework, usually due to these distractions. As a parent, you can remind them of their assignments and help them set up a study station for themselves. They can decorate it just the way they like. You can make it more comfortable by adding pillows or footrests. You can put up inspirational quotes and images to encourage them. Putting jars of their favorite snack can also help with their concentration.

Converse with your children

After a tiring day at school, children feel drained to share every tiny detail of their day with their parents. Having a copy of the syllabus or monthly agendas can help you know what your child might be studying. Be creative and strike up conversations with your children about what they are learning. Asking about their opinion of their reading lists or suggesting to look up for interesting videos of the topic they’re studying in Sciences or Geography can be a fun thing you can do together. Their responses can help you analyze their progress. Based on it, you can work around the areas where your child might need help. You can even get the teacher on board so that your child can get the right guidance.

Conclusion

The top-most priority of parents has always been the well-being of their children and their exceptional performance at school. In their maximum capacity, they devote all their time and energy to doing so. The dynamic nature of education now demands full involvement of parents in their child’s education which sometimes can be overwhelming for the parent as they are already expected to manage a lot more. Planning well before the school year starts can give you a head start on what to expect throughout the year and be fully present for your child. By creating a positive environment at home and indirectly at school for your child, you can help them excel at school. And that is the main goal.

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