There seems to be a trend nowadays of parents being too hands-on when their children head off to school. While being hands-on itself is not a bad thing -- as a matter of fact it's great -- too many parents take it to an extreme.
Parents of school-age children, especially, seem to forget how to back off and let their kids be kids and their teachers teach. Here are a few things that those parents need to stop doing.
1. Helping Too Much - Does your child do her homework on her own or do you sit and do each and every problem with her? If you do, you're not helping her -- you are actually teaching her to not think for herself. Kids need to learn how to problem solve on their own and if they get it wrong, that's a lesson itself.
2. Complaining About School Curriculum and Policies Without Becoming Involved - Okay, so it's really okay to make your voice heard if you have an issue with curriculum or the policies your child's school enacts. If you have an issue, though, don't complain then sit back and expect someone else to fix everything.
Most schools are understaffed, underfunded, and stretched to the limits. Too often schools don't have choices in curriculum they must use and have to use state and federal mandated choices. If you really want to make a difference, then step up to the plate and take part. Schools are always in need of involved parents who volunteer their time to help out with classroom projects, field trips, parties, tutoring, donating supplies and more. Run for school board if you really want to help implement change or join the Parent Teacher Organization.
3. Micromanaging their friends - once your children enter school, they are going to start picking their own friends, and some of them you may not like, if only because they are "new" and unknown to you. Likewise, they may decide that children you have had them in playgroups with since...well...birth are not kids that they choose to hang out with any longer. This happened with both of my boys and, while I missed one of the sweet kids that he used to play with ALL the time, I gave his new friends a
4. Taking Your Child's Side - It's normal to become Mama Bear when someone criticizes your child, but when your child's teacher points out an issue you need to keep in mind that they are spending several hours a day with your child. They see things about your child's behavior or needs that you might miss. Don't automatically assume that your child is innocent and the teacher is picking on them just because the teacher contacts you about an issue.
It's very important to remember that you need to hear what a teacher has to say and remember that the teacher is trying to help your child. Don't pit your child against his teacher but help your child understand that if they are doing something wrong, you will not condone their behavior.
When you have elementary school-aged kids, it's very important to remember that you need to back off while also staying in touch. It's a balancing act and staying in close contact with your child's teacher without making yourself a nuisance will help your child achieve success in school.