After Spending a Year With Your Kids This is What They Need From You
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Don’t take this lightly.
I taught 5th grade last year. My class and I were very close. They had my back and I had theirs. Families came to know how much I cared so they would confide what they were going through if they felt their child needed support.
Oftentimes, I get upset with how many activities schools have during the day. As a working parent myself it is difficult to leave work to attend all of the functions. Sadly, the school is not going to stop hosting these events during the day so I need to change on my end.
Here is what I want all parents to do in order to avoid breaking your child’s heart.
Show up
If the school is inviting you to attend an assembly or event where your child will be acknowledged do whatever it takes to be there. Do both parents have to show up? Not at all. Grandma and aunts and uncles are not you. Although I love to see grandparents at events, I want to see them there with you.
Most jobs by law have to allow you to attend your child’s school events. They may need you to provide proof which schools provide digitally or with paper flyers.
This year our school had Lunch with a Loved One. Loved ones were invited onto our school campus during lunch to eat with their child. Aside from the school-wide communication I also sent reminders to families on our school communication. This is a new thing schools are doing in my district so I wanted to be sure my classroom parents knew about it in advance.
I ended up spending my lunch with a handful of kids whose parents did not show up. Although I was trying to keep the conversation light and fun many kids kept looking around and making comments like “I don’t think my parents got the message about today”.
There is no reason to miss events at school. Your job will never choose you over themselves so don’t choose it over your children. However, if you have to miss let your child know that you cannot make it and why. If you do not do that they will expect you. Trust me I know.
Help Them
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