The Report Card Review :: How to Stay Sane When Your Kid Doesn’t Make the Grade

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We all want out children to be successful and make good grades. But what happens if your child does less than stellar? I’m sure any loving parent will agree that if your child needs help, we are going to help them. This includes homework. But can too much homework leave your household in shambles? 

A typical parent spends nine to twelve hours a day at work. When you shift ends, you then spend another 60 to 90 minutes in traffic commuting home. Once home, you have to prepare dinner for your family and squeeze in time to work on that PowerPoint presentation for a meeting at work tomorrow. Somewhere in there, you have to spend quality time with your children and spouse/partner. So where exactly do you fit in helping your children with homework?

In order to do so, things such as home cooked meals become neglected. Alone time between mom and dad is neglected. And quality time between parents and children is neglected. The list of neglect can go on and on. 

Before you know it, nine weeks have passed and your child has a report card that is not worthy enough to share on social media. Parental guilt starts to settle in. Maybe you hire a tutor or enroll your child in an expensive after-school program. Quality time at home has become extinct, and instead of the parent and teacher working together, they are now at odds with each other.

While education is important, your sanity, quality time with your family, and your financial budget should not be sacrificed just because you want your child to make the honor roll. So how do you stay sane when your child doesn’t make the grade?

Encourage your children to utilize their voice and speak up in class.

Children are often embarrassed or intimidated to speak up in class. But if they don’t, they won’t get the help they need. Encourage your child to ask their teacher questions when they don’t understand the subject matter. If they are struggling with speaking up during class, encourage them to speak to their teacher after class is over. At least this way, they are making the instructor aware and can get the help they need. 

Build up your child’s confidence through positive affirmation. 

Positive affirmation will help your child feel qualified to complete class and homework assignments. It also allows them to confidently ask questions when they do not understand what is happening in class. The more confidence they have, the more they will want to do their homework and get good grades. 

During family time, utilize board games or other family activities that strengthen decision-making skills.

This will encourage your child to make proper decisions during school time so that they utilize their time there wisely. They will seek help and spend time in the library researching additional information instead of goofing off in study hall. 

If bad grades continue, talk with your child’s teacher about an Individual Education Plan.

Maybe your child learns differently from others and additional time is needed for them to complete assignments. An Individual Education Program (IEP) identifies your child’s learning needs through strengths and weaknesses. It then outlines how the school will accommodate those needs so that your child can be successful. Parent, teacher, school, and the student will then all work together to help the student accomplish their academic goals. 

Celebrate milestones.  

All children are special and unique in their own way. Just because your child didn’t make the honor roll doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate what they did do. Why not celebrate them for showing up to class every day? Celebrate the five points they earned to raise their G.P.A. There is always something you can find to celebrate.

Do not compare your child to other children.

When we say things to our child like, “Mike studies and gets good grades. Why can’t you?” all it does is make them feel bad about themselves. They may also begin to resent the person they are being compared to. Comparing our children to other children damages our child’s self-esteem and can possibly damage the relationship they have with that other child. It is best to just focus on your child and not mention any one else. Encourage your child and help them instead of comparing. 

What are some other ways that you maintain your sanity when your child doesn’t make “The Grade?” 

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