Negotiate goals and initial terms of your academic expectations and consequences with your child, as long as all terms are a win-win, from the parent’s perspective. An example of giving your child a win-win choice is: Ask if they want to make their daily study time before supper or right after supper.
Be willing to enforce a consequence for unmet expectations.
Example: Expect child to turn in all assignments on time. Enforce a “no-use” policy for the next 24 hours after a late/missing assignment is confirmed. (No use of tv, cell phone, video games, internet, etc.)
Be willing to let your child cope with consequences.
Example: Let your child vent about how unreasonable you are. Listen patiently and calmly repeat the expectations and consequences.
Be willing to contact your child’s teachers to get information. Group emails work well.
Example: Group email teacher(s) on a set day of the week, and base privileges/consequences on the information received.
Be willing to persevere, stay involved and set boundaries for your child.
Example: Follow your own set expectations and be consistent in monitoring and following through.
Be willing to monitor your child’s use of electronics regularly and consistently. Example: This includes tv, internet, video games, cell phones, social media, etc. It’s ok to expect your child to give you their phone at 9:00 PM for the rest of the night. It’s ok to spot check the internet screens your child is viewing, or have them sit where you can see their screen. It’s ok to examine their use of social media carefully, or even not allow them to access social media.
Be willing to say no to other activities, for you and/or your child, so that your family has time to function well.
