Keeping Your Child Behind: A Close Watch
Life becomes a difficult decision every now and then. Decisions and pressure in school, decisions about bringing a new life into the world, decisions about helping another person’s life, decisions about changing one’s own life, decisions about being responsible for another’s and decisions about keeping about keeping yourself or another behind.. The question is, how involved can we get? What are some of the roads we must travel upon that’ll enable us to understand the situation better?
Should my child repeat this grade at school?
Should he/she?
It’s easy to point the finger as a parent, “You’re not doing your work! You need to study more, I’ve taught you better than that.”
But did you really?
Did you really do a good job parenting? Did you really try to help this kid accomplish this amazing feat of advancement? Did you do your part to motivate, encourage and inspire this child to achieve success in school? I would hope so, and hope you remain an active part of this child’s life.
There are many parents who are simply “not there” when the time comes for a homework question or reading translation from school. As a result, the student suffers for it in class. They attend class the next day without the slightest idea of what’s going on! And where were you, so called parent? So quick to point your finger and say that your kid ought to remain in that same grade at school for the following school year. Thus, it’s easy to say you see something, when you really don’t see anything.
Making the decision:
When making the decision as to keeping a child behind or not, consider some of these in your decision making.
�· Does he/she have a learning disability? Some children do have these (not all) and as a result find it very difficult stay as focused. If you believe this to be the cause of a problem in school, try speaking with a doctor or school guidance counselor who can assist you fully.
Ã?· Is there a good work ethic: There are some students who get the straight A’s and other’s who don’t. The idea is to do the best you possibly can, not be perfect. A strong ‘A’ class work ethic with a ‘C’ grade can quickly evolve into an outstanding ‘A’ average report card. Try paying attention to your child’s study habits, are they reasonable and satisfactory?
Ã?· What about the schoolteacher? Is the schoolteacher the right cup of tea for your child? Ask your child. If a repeat is necessary, a change of teachers may be a helpful idea to your child’s success.
�· Is there discipline? Does your child show the discipline to complete each assignment? How focused is he/she?
�· What about you? Have you done everything on your end as a parent?
Consider these factors when making the final judgment and remember that it’s not always a lack of responsibility on your child’s end. Nor is it always the best thing to keep your child behind in school. Consider these factors, make your observation, speak with your child and live up to your part before you hold them back. Were not all perfect, and many of us have barely slid along in school. It took us a while to realize, but many of us made it. They can make it too!
