Back to School Concerns

[Kim Crouch]

It's almost that time again: back to school! It's hard to believe the summer is almost over. As a mom, I would like to hear about what are your biggest concerns, if any, about back to school? Is it bullying, dealing with administration, homework or study habits, etc.?

[Lakita Clark]

My only concern is motivating my teenage son to work to his fullest potential. When he was younger he made excellent grades. Now that he is older, he brings home a report card filled with C's with a constant B in math. I know that he can do better. However, he is what I call a "line surfer". This year I told him that I will nolonger accept more than 1 C on his report card. Is this too harsh?

[Kimberly Coulter]

Lakita,

I am a mother and teacher and I don't think that you are being too harsh at all. In the words of my 86 year old grandmother "Push em." Her philosophy (and mine) is that it is our responsibility as parents to not let our kids settle for less than their best. I always remind my students (my kids are very young) to think about their top competitors for future scholarship and jobs (who are earning As and Bs).

Kimberly

[Deveter Brown]

Thanks for bringing up this topic. My son is starting kindergarten this year in a different school than where he attended Pre-K. I guess I'm just concerned about how he's going to adjust to the new school. He had a great relationship with his pre-k teacher and made fast friends with just about all the adults in his school! This is my first experience with changing schools and kindergarten for that matter. So any advice on the do's and don'ts from experienced parents would be really helpful.

Have a blessed weekend!

[Kimberly Coulter]

Deveter,

Last year I went through this type of transition with my daughter. Believe me when I say that it was harder for me, especially that first day of school, than it was for her. My oldest son will begin K this year and so these are the things that I will do to ensure a smooth transition for him.

1. Take him to the school and playground a couple of times prior to the first day so that he can feel that this is HIS new school. So on the first day he will not be overwhelmed and afraid because he has been there many times before.

2. Try to connect with other parents that will be attending the school, so that my son has at least one friend, preferably in the same classroom before the first day.

3. Find out the name of my son's teacher so that he will at least have a name of one responsible adult to connect to the school and his education.

4. Speak about all of the positives of entering a new school and grade as possible. I'm a surprise/cliff hanger type of person so I will build up as much excitement and curiosity as possible.

The only don't that I have is:

Do not linger around in your child's classroom when you drop him off on the first day. Believe me, I know that it is hard...I did it last year and I am a teacher who KNOWS better. My advice is to make it short and sweet: take a picture, give him a kiss, say a prayer and leave.

Kimberly

[Denise]

I have four children ready for educational opportunities. My oldest is in her 2nd year in college, my son is in the 11th grade, and I have two others who will be in 9th & 7th. My problem is that my high schoolers are not getting their required courses. Due to the budget crisis in my state, classes are crowded and classes are not readily available. My problem is dealing with administration about the required classes. I had a counselor tell me that my 9th grader can take health and biology in summer school because they gave her 4 electives. And she said it with a straight face. I fought for 30 mins, but she got the classes. My 7th grader is going to take Algebra 1 and she is ready for it. For my college student, the price of textbooks is like scratching the chalkboard with your fingernails. Another irritate is the clothing that the males are wearing at school. I don't have that problem with my male child, but I have seen males where red skinny jeans with purple shirts. I just wish children would focus more on education than trying to look like American Next Top model.

[TwoTimesTheMom]

Lol Denise on this "I don't have that problem with my male child, but I have seen males where red skinny jeans with purple shirts. I just wish children would focus more on education than trying to look like American Next Top model."

I have already squelched my concerns. They were centered on staffing and administration. Both of mine are special needs and the situation here is really ridiculous and very unstable. I just removed us from the picture and took the plunge to homeschool this year. I can't take any more headaches. If all goes well this year, this may be a permanent thing. I stocked my "classroom" today with things we didn't already have such as a large dry erase board.

Class starts Monday.

[Kim Crouch]

This is great. I understand the concerns. I further appreciate that you decided to take the situation into your own hands and decided to homeschool. I think we need to realize we have the power and our kids futures our up to us. My kids are not homeschooled but I definitely try to ensure I maintain my power over their futures.

[Linda Royal-Herman]

PLEASE join ASA, Authors Supporting Authors, tonight at 8 pm EST. Nan is discussing the importance of education.

Join us by visiting www.blogtalkradio.com/asa-blog-talk

Hope to see you there!

[K atherine]

Helping my son deal with bullies, he's Autistic and is passive.

[paulla]

Mine is everything, i get nervous and have anxiety attacks in the month of august, its all dealing with school shopping, the traveling between two schools for my kids, dealing with the homeworks, after and before school programs, school projects,
preparing the meals ahead, it does not stop. not enough hours in the day.

i try to have a schedule
prepare meals day before
pack lunch night before
get clothes out night before,
have my coffee in my cup the night. before
+ a whole lot more, EXHALE.