Are your children attending school regularly?Do your children make excuses to stay home from school?
Do you miss work because you don't feel like going to work?
Imagine this:
Your child is prompt, ready to go to school. Everything is packed in the bookbag. Homework is complete. Breakfast is over and the dishes are in the dishwasher. Your child is eager to get out of the house and off to school. From the moment you woke up this morning, everything at your household went smooth without any problems.
Who are we kidding? This scenario is a dream of every parent.
The reality is somewhat different. Getting off to work and school in the morning can be a nightmare. In some households from the time the alarm goes off till the front door is locked, parents find the greatest challenges of raising children.
To alleviate some of the morning hassles, try the following three steps:
• Stop and think about your own attitude when it comes to attending your job.
Do you look forward to your job?
Do you start your morning with a new and bright outlook on the day?
When give the choices of a positive or negative outlook, you can choose a frame of reference that can be contagious to your children. Remember modeling is the key to parenting.
• Talk with your children about the benefits of good attendance.
Let your children know that attending school has long lasting benefits. The payoffs include:
• Life long learning. If I miss school, I miss the learning opportunities.
• Job routine. Going to school regularly will prepare you for attending your job regularly.
• If you want to be successful, your attendance will be an indicator of your future success.
• Help your children to see that morning will set the tone for the whole day.
Do something to set a positive morning tone in your household.
Be creative.
Maybe it is breakfast or music or cheerful conversations. Teach your children that what happens in the morning can and will effect the rest of the day.
Sometimes we take the little things for granted. We can be so focused on appointments, the activities after school, or the next holiday, that we forget the simple things in life that can make a world of difference. Make the morning and attendance of your job and the children's school a top priority. Start your day with an attitude that today will make a difference in the lives of everyone who resides under the same roof.
Sandy Ragona and Stefani Weber are Guidance Counselors at Kennedy Elementary School in Dubuque. Sandy has recently authored a book entitled, " Please Stop, I Don't Like That!” and it's available from Amazon.com Sandy is one of the district's foremost authorities on bullying behavior.
