With a new school year beginning, many parents wonder how they can help their teenager get on the right track. Here are some important tips, shared by a school counselor:
TIP 1:
Rely on YOURSELF, rather than your teen, to keep you informed of your teen’s progress. Teens may say:
- “I don’t have any homework.”
- “I finished my homework already.”
- “I’m going to school. Everything’s fine.”
When in reality, this is what may be happening:
- The teen has homework but is not turning it in.
- The teen is getting on the bus in the morning but leaving campus with friends to skip school.
Checking your teen’s progress by contacting the school and teachers directly is a helpful way to stay informed. For parents who do not speak English, find a responsible adult to assist you rather than relying on your teen.
TIP 2:
In order for the school to communicate with you, they must have your current phone number. EVERY TIME YOUR PHONE NUMBER CHANGES, INFORM THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR TEEN TO DO THIS FOR YOU. THIS WAY, YOU ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO KNOW WHEN YOUR CHILD IS NOT ATTENDING CLASSES. Ensuring that the school has your updated phone number immediately each time it changes is one of the best ways to help monitor your son or daughter’s safety.
TIP 3:
FIND OUT FROM THE SCHOOL THE OFFICIAL DATES WHEN THE SCHOOL WILL BE DISTRIBUTING PROGRESS REPORTS AND REPORT CARDS AND EXPECT YOUR TEEN TO BRING YOU A COPY ON THESE OFFICIAL DAYS.
TIP 4:
HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR TEEN AND HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE. Encourage your teen to plan for college and seek support from school personnel, such as the school counselor, to help your teen prepare.
TIP 5:
As a parent, implement appropriate rewards and consequences for school performance, such as gain or loss of privileges, consistently. Use rewards and consequences that are age-appropriate, safe and not harmful physically or emotionally, and are proportional to the situation.
TIP 6:
KNOW WHO YOUR TEEN IS WITH, AND, WHEN POSSIBLE, COMMUNICATE WITH THE PARENTS OF YOUR TEEN’S FRIENDS. When your teen tells you he is riding to school with a particular friend, is this friend attending school? Will your teen and this friend be a positive support for each other? Recognize that social interactions are a healthy and essential part of a teen’s life. When parents become overly controlling of teens’ social interactions, teens can feel overwhelmed and may become more secretive. However, while respecting your teen’s need for a social life, monitor his interactions to find a healthy balance between allowing him age-appropriate freedoms while protecting him from negative peer influences.
TIP 7:
If you notice potential warning signs or changes in your teen’s behavior, such as mood difficulties or unusual changes, defiance, skipping school, possible substance use, other illegal activities, association with negative or dangerous peers, self-harming behaviors, or suicidal thoughts or gestures, seek support for your teen immediately. Contact your local mental health hospital or healthcare center, or call 911. There are therapists who can help your teen resolve problems and achieve recovery.
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Seven Tips To Help Your Teen Stay On Track in School
With a new school year beginning, many parents wonder how they can help their teenager get on the right track. Here are some important tips, shared by a school counselor:
TIP 1:
Rely on YOURSELF, rather than your teen, to keep you informed of your teen’s progress. Teens may say:
When in reality, this is what may be happening:
Checking your teen’s progress by contacting the school and teachers directly is a helpful way to stay informed. For parents who do not speak English, find a responsible adult to assist you rather than relying on your teen.
TIP 2:
In order for the school to communicate with you, they must have your current phone number. EVERY TIME YOUR PHONE NUMBER CHANGES, INFORM THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR TEEN TO DO THIS FOR YOU. THIS WAY, YOU ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO KNOW WHEN YOUR CHILD IS NOT ATTENDING CLASSES. Ensuring that the school has your updated phone number immediately each time it changes is one of the best ways to help monitor your son or daughter’s safety.
TIP 3:
FIND OUT FROM THE SCHOOL THE OFFICIAL DATES WHEN THE SCHOOL WILL BE DISTRIBUTING PROGRESS REPORTS AND REPORT CARDS AND EXPECT YOUR TEEN TO BRING YOU A COPY ON THESE OFFICIAL DAYS.
TIP 4:
HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR TEEN AND HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE. Encourage your teen to plan for college and seek support from school personnel, such as the school counselor, to help your teen prepare.
TIP 5:
As a parent, implement appropriate rewards and consequences for school performance, such as gain or loss of privileges, consistently. Use rewards and consequences that are age-appropriate, safe and not harmful physically or emotionally, and are proportional to the situation.
TIP 6:
KNOW WHO YOUR TEEN IS WITH, AND, WHEN POSSIBLE, COMMUNICATE WITH THE PARENTS OF YOUR TEEN’S FRIENDS. When your teen tells you he is riding to school with a particular friend, is this friend attending school? Will your teen and this friend be a positive support for each other? Recognize that social interactions are a healthy and essential part of a teen’s life. When parents become overly controlling of teens’ social interactions, teens can feel overwhelmed and may become more secretive. However, while respecting your teen’s need for a social life, monitor his interactions to find a healthy balance between allowing him age-appropriate freedoms while protecting him from negative peer influences.
TIP 7:
If you notice potential warning signs or changes in your teen’s behavior, such as mood difficulties or unusual changes, defiance, skipping school, possible substance use, other illegal activities, association with negative or dangerous peers, self-harming behaviors, or suicidal thoughts or gestures, seek support for your teen immediately. Contact your local mental health hospital or healthcare center, or call 911. There are therapists who can help your teen resolve problems and achieve recovery.