Returning to School Issues (Parents and Children) #2

Some reflections on parenting and children (kids, teens and college students) returning to school or preparing to go to school for the first time.


This time of year can be exciting and stressful. I encourage parents to be proactive and to set a tone of optimism and hope. It may sound a little corny but telling your child that they are going to have the best school year ever is a good idea. Having some one on one time to find out how they feel about going to school is a good way to find out what are their hopes, anxieties and concerns. The goal is to open up a channel of communication and to prevent problems before they occur. Another goal is to plan in one on one time on a weekly (make this a long-term goal) basis to touch base with your child's thoughts, victories, and concerns. If you have more than one child, then it is important to do this with each child--not all at once.


If your child talks about an issue they want help with, it is important to come up with an action plan to address that issue. Your children will be more likely to open up and really talk about what is bothering them if they believe you take their problems seriously, and work with them to resolve their problems.

What are the problems that you are facing?
Who do you turn to for advice when you need help?
If you have more than one child, which one are you most concerned about?

I look forward to hearing from you.  Don't forget to share your victories too!