By USDR
What grade would you give yourself as a parent? Kristen Sutich, author of “The Kindergarten Toolkit for Parents” has a quick quiz so that you can grade yourself as a parent. The good news is, you can easily improve your grade with three simple tips.
“There’s no time like the present to set yourself and your family up for success. The busy holiday season can create stress for children and parents alike, with all the extra activities,” says Kristen Sutich. “Kindergarten and elementary school are golden opportunities to teach children how to succeed in school and in life. But the foundation starts at home with good parenting.”
Answer this quick quiz and grade yourself as a parent. Ask yourself these questions:
- Is your child flourishing?
- Are you thriving?
- Are mornings organized and peaceful?
- Have you connected with your child’s teacher?
- Have you developed a good homework routine?
Count the number of “yes” answers for your score. 5=A, 4=B, 3=C, 2=D, 1=F
If you didn’t get an “A”, don’t worry, you’re not alone. You just haven’t been taught what to do. As a teacher for the past fifteen years, Sutich has seen many parents get stressed, especially over the holidays or when there are major changes in the family. That’s why Sutich is devoted to coaching parents how to help their children flourish at school. She has a special focus on helping the parents of children in kindergarten, when solid habits can be established as a foundation.
You can take action now to improve your grade as a parent. This will help both you and your family thrive.
Sutich has three tips to improve your grade as a parent:
- Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Get Organized
- Develop a Homework Routine
1: Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences
It’s important to find out how your child is doing at school academically and socially. That way, there are no surprises.
“Attending school conferences allows you to meet with the teacher, and find out how your child is progressing in school. It’s helpful to know areas that need improvement and what support you can give your child at home. This will help meet your child’s needs in school, and let her know you are interested in what she is learning,” said Sutich.
2: Get Organized
Have a file tray, drawer or special place for and school folders, as well as a special spot for school library books that your children bring home. Maintain a separate folder for each child for important school papers.
“This will save you time, and keep everything running smoothly during the school year,” said Sutich. “Choose a designated spot in your house for showcasing special artwork, projects or important papers. Your child will feel proud of their accomplishments on display.”
3: Develop a Homework Routine
Developing an after-school routine is essential for a peaceful home. Your child may need a short break and snack, but then it’s homework time! This will lighten the stress for everyone in the house.
“The later it gets, the more difficult the homework becomes,” warns Sutich. Support your child with their homework, but don’t do it for them. Homework is part of building an effective school routine.”
In summary, you can improve your grade as a parent by connecting with the teacher, improving organization, and developing positive routines.
Parents who are dealing with major changes such as a divorce, death, move, blended family, or other challenges will benefit from getting support from a grief coach, such as Sutich, who specializes in helping parents go from stress to success. Find out more about working with Sutich, and get the gift of a free audio interview online at www.kristensutich.com
“Taking action will create a successful school year for you and your child. I hope you get an ‘A’ on this report card!” says Kristen.
Kristen Sutich is a teacher, coach for moms and author of “The Kindergarten Toolkit for Parents: 75 Tips from a Kindergarten Teacher.” This book provides parents with easy tips they can use to ensure a smooth and successful school year. To find out more, visit www.kristensutich.com.
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