There's always been something that has bugged me about the advice for parents about how to help kids with school, and I think I've figured out what it is. We are being told two messages that contradict each other. Here they are:
1. Parents need to be involved in their children's school work.
2. It's the children's school work, not your work. Don't be a helicopter parent when it comes to school.
Schools certainly mean well. They want our kids to be as successful as possible. They want our kids to learn. But there are times when it's pretty confusing. "How am I supposed to be involved, and not involved at the same time?"
I think the problem is that these two messages are meant to be heard by two different types of parents. Message number one, parents need to be involved in their children's school work, is meant to be hear by those parents who are not involved enough. Message number two, it's the children's school work, not your work, is meant to be heard by the parents who are way too involved.
I'm working on a quiz to help you think about which type of parent you are, which might help you figure out which message is meant for you. As the school year gets in swing, I'll be sharing some ideas you can use right away to get better at this.
4 comments:
Hi Mr. McNerny! Will you be including a section in your book for us homeschooling parents? :) I try not to be a "helicopter parent" in the late afternoon/evening, when the kids are doing their homework. It gives me a chance to take off the teacher hat too.
Your wife's friend sounds like such an inspiration! One I need; that's for sure! HA! I'm slowly finding balance myself, between home, school, family-time, church, friends.... LIFE. Mine is more in the mental-prep area. :) There is such a place.... right?
Thanks eileen. Homeschoolers and very near and dear to my heart. I'm hopeful that most of the material in the book will apply to homeschoolers since the focus is on helping parents become calm leaders when it comes to their children's academics.
Then that makes me all the more excited!! I might need an "autographed," copy! ;)
As far as staying a calm leader when instructing my kids, I above all else, PRAY... Ask for guidance and STRENGTH.... Then I WAIT for the things He puts in my path because I prayed for those two things... LOL.
One of my favorite mommy verses is in Proverbs 31:26, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Helps keep me in check :)
Neil,
I love the idea of having a quiz for parents to see which side of the spectrum they fall on. That is certainly something that I would be interested in for folks I work with. : )
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