Help your child cope on school opening day
Feb 04, 2007
PARENTING<br><br>Lillian, a friend of mine, recently shared the emotional turmoil she experienced when she took her daughter to a boarding school in Mbarara. “My heart sunk as I watched my daughter enter the dormitory. As she turned to bid me farewell, she sobbed like a convict being led into th
PARENTING
Lillian, a friend of mine, recently shared the emotional turmoil she experienced when she took her daughter to a boarding school in Mbarara. “My heart sunk as I watched my daughter enter the dormitory. As she turned to bid me farewell, she sobbed like a convict being led into the gallows. For a moment, I felt like taking her back with me. I cried all the way back home,†Lillian explained.
An emotional experience of this nature is one of the many challenges parents and children are likely to face today as schools open. The pain of separation takes its toll on both parents and children differently. To your child, this pain is worsened by the various changes that the first term brings.
Your child is likely to meet new friends, learn new subject content taught by new teachers and perhaps in a new school. You need to help your child cope with the changes. Let us explore some dos and don’ts of the opening day.
- Do not leave packing entirely to the child. Crosscheck the child’s items keenly using the school’s requirement list because children sometimes smuggle strange items into their suitcases. These items, if discovered, could result into suspension from school.
- Please read them circulars. Seek clarification from the administration if the information is not clear. Do not leave the school before getting details regarding closing date and visitation dates. If you are a new parent at the school, seek all essential information concerning the school’s mode of operation.
-l It is wrong to leave your child at school without meeting the child’s class teacher.
The class teacher will be the child’s custodian in the classroom for the entire year. Discuss the child’s academic records; weaknesses and strengths as you lay strategies for the term. Find out how often you need to get in touch with the class teacher so as to monitor your child’s performance.
-l It is irresponsible to take your child back to school without proper medical check up. Discuss your child’s health with the school nurse or any staff in charge of the children’s welfare. It is advisable to leave your family doctor’s contact with the school for emergencies.
- However, emotional you become, resist the temptation to shed tears before your child as you bid him or her farewell. Children are sensitive and to them, your tears might mean the school is a ‘prison’ not worth remaining in.
- In case the child has forgotten an item at home, do not reprimand him or her before the teachers. Your admonitions only serve to create miserable memories of the first day of the term.
- Do not let your child manipulate you into giving him or her extra pocket money. Making children believe that they can receive anything at the mere display of tears is irresponsible parenting.
Today is monumental because it sets a precedent for the rest of the year. Help your child to set him or herself in the right mood for the term by expressing confidence in his or her abilities. Do not let the failures of last year choke your child this year. Have a prosperous term!
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
0772-631032
Lillian, a friend of mine, recently shared the emotional turmoil she experienced when she took her daughter to a boarding school in Mbarara. “My heart sunk as I watched my daughter enter the dormitory. As she turned to bid me farewell, she sobbed like a convict being led into the gallows. For a moment, I felt like taking her back with me. I cried all the way back home,†Lillian explained.
An emotional experience of this nature is one of the many challenges parents and children are likely to face today as schools open. The pain of separation takes its toll on both parents and children differently. To your child, this pain is worsened by the various changes that the first term brings.
Your child is likely to meet new friends, learn new subject content taught by new teachers and perhaps in a new school. You need to help your child cope with the changes. Let us explore some dos and don’ts of the opening day.
- Do not leave packing entirely to the child. Crosscheck the child’s items keenly using the school’s requirement list because children sometimes smuggle strange items into their suitcases. These items, if discovered, could result into suspension from school.
- Please read them circulars. Seek clarification from the administration if the information is not clear. Do not leave the school before getting details regarding closing date and visitation dates. If you are a new parent at the school, seek all essential information concerning the school’s mode of operation.
-l It is wrong to leave your child at school without meeting the child’s class teacher.
The class teacher will be the child’s custodian in the classroom for the entire year. Discuss the child’s academic records; weaknesses and strengths as you lay strategies for the term. Find out how often you need to get in touch with the class teacher so as to monitor your child’s performance.
-l It is irresponsible to take your child back to school without proper medical check up. Discuss your child’s health with the school nurse or any staff in charge of the children’s welfare. It is advisable to leave your family doctor’s contact with the school for emergencies.
- However, emotional you become, resist the temptation to shed tears before your child as you bid him or her farewell. Children are sensitive and to them, your tears might mean the school is a ‘prison’ not worth remaining in.
- In case the child has forgotten an item at home, do not reprimand him or her before the teachers. Your admonitions only serve to create miserable memories of the first day of the term.
- Do not let your child manipulate you into giving him or her extra pocket money. Making children believe that they can receive anything at the mere display of tears is irresponsible parenting.
Today is monumental because it sets a precedent for the rest of the year. Help your child to set him or herself in the right mood for the term by expressing confidence in his or her abilities. Do not let the failures of last year choke your child this year. Have a prosperous term!
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
0772-631032