Before you know it, your children will be ready to head off for their first day at school. While there are challenges for the parent with school-age children in a two-parent home, you can imagine how it could be for the single parent. Typically, the greatest challenge has to do with time management. Remember, some children will embrace the idea of going to school, have their clothes lay out, and backpack filled with goodies months before school even starts, but then some children are not nearly as excited.
Your role will be to help prepare your children for school. In addition to making the transition easier for the child, this will also help you manage your life much better. When school begins for your child, be prepared for him/her losing lunch money, playing sick, or refusing to complete homework. To help you with your child going to school, I wanted to provide a few tips.
For starters, keep the communication line with the teacher open. Since your child is coming from a home with just one parent, the teacher may spot things that you would miss. Ask how your child is doing in school, is he or she getting along with the other children, or does the teacher notice any type of behavior concerns. Then, when your child arrives home from school, take time to ask about the day. Have your child tell you three things learned, about projects completed, new friends, and so on. What you want to avoid is asking an empty question of “How was school”? Instead, guide your child to giving you details by asking specific questions.
Although your time will likely be crunched, if possible, volunteer as a homeroom mother once a month or every other month. With this, you would have the perfect opportunity to watch your child in his/her environment. In addition, if your child is struggling with a particular class, stating something negative about a teacher, or falling behind on homework, you should intervene to find out why. It could be that your child is merely having some adjustment issues or it could be that something more is going on.
You also want to pay attention to what your child is saying. If you hear things such as, “I don’t understand it” or “It’s too hard, take these as signs that your child may be struggling in class. Sometimes, praise and encouragement is all that is needed but other times, it might mean a change of classroom. Obviously, you want your child’s schools years to be filled with positive memories and a time of making close friendships. You also want this time to be good for you, not a time of constantly rushing. With good preparation, school can be a wonderful time for you and the child.