HELPING OUR CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL

I love the beginning of the school year. The 95 degree days have now turned into cool damp mornings. Shopping malls and stores are filled with energy and people anxious to find all the supplies needed for the year and parents are confused as to why their children do not fit into the same clothes from the previous year.

With the new school year comes anxiety. Our children definitely needed their time off during the summer. Anxiety decreases, activity increases and everyone seems to get along better during the two and a half month summer break. When school begins, however, responsibilities increase, schedules fill up quickly and relationships have a tendency to become more strained.

Often, usually during the second half of the school year a parent will call me and say their child needs counseling because he or she failed three classes. I enjoy working with teenagers who experience academic struggles. For one, it reminds me of myself when I was in school. Also, they are often some of the most genuine people I have ever met.

Certainly, there is nothing wrong with parents seeking counseling for their children following the aftermath of a lower than expectations report card. It is never too late to get help, even in the worst case scenarios. However, it is more cost effective and productive to be proactive rather than reactive. It is best for parents to get help for their children early in the first semester or first trimester. Counseling will be more effective if homework routines and anxiety reduction techniques are implemented in the earlier part of the year before the academic beast brings on heavy loads of homework.

There is a popular saying, “It takes 30 days to break a bad habit and start a new one.” For some students, it will be essential to start them on a disciplined homework routine to help engage them immediately into the practice of setting aside time each night to spend on their studies. It is also essential for students to identify obstacles in school that might cause them stress and interfere with their attempt at academic success.

So, if you, or someone else you know, has a child with a history of academic anxiety, has difficulty being motivated to do homework, or struggles to attain academic success, find help for them now before they become overwhelmed with all the responsibilities.