07/31/2022
It's almost time to start getting the kids prepared for returning to school. To improve this year, it is important to have a plan so that you donât simply react to your childâs struggles. Here are some specific things you can do to get your child ready for the coming school year.
1. Start Waking Your Child up Early
A week before school starts, have all your kids use their alarms and wake up when theyâll be getting up during the school year.
2. Implement an Hour of Quiet Time at Night
Establish a quiet time at night if you donât already have it. During the school year, this will become part of their homework time. But for now, let them read a book, comic, or magazine. What they do in quiet time is not important as long as no electronics are used.
3. Stop Allowing Your Teen To Go Out at Night During the Week
For older kids, about a week before school, they should not go out at night. When school starts, your child should already be used to spending the evening at home. They have to get back into their school schedule, which means telling them: âNo going out to socialize after dinner, you have to stay home.â
4. Consider Rewarding Your Child for Good Grades
Consider setting up a reward system for grades now, and explain the system to your child. If my kids got all Aâs and Bâs, I would reward them with some cash. If they didnât, they didnât get punished, but they didnât get the money.
5. What To Say to Kids Who Didnât Do Well in School Last Year
Before school starts and when things are calm, sit down with your child and say to them:
âLook, thereâs something that I think would be helpful to talk about. What did you learn from what you went through last year? Iâm not criticizing, but what did you learn?â
And then the follow-up question should be: âAnd what will you do differently to stay on top of your grades this year?â Or, if the problem was their behavior, ask them:
âWhat will you do differently to get along better with your classmates or with the teachers? Letâs pick one thing you can do right now from day one that will help you move in that direction.â