avoid being "that" parent

Every parent fears being "that" parent. You know the one: always overly involved in the child's life, micro managing the school day, popping in unannounced and telling the teacher how to run the classroom. Obnoxious, no doubt. Reality is that there aren't too many of these parents out there! Here are 3 easy steps to calm you fears and help you stay connected to the school without feeling like "that" parent.



1. do your homework

Schools are prepared to meet students at individual levels--some excel when reading the directions, some like to have it explained verbally and then others like to walk through a process alone before asking questions. Teachers are ready for all types of learners--this counts for parents, too! Read the syllabus, go to open house and hear the information and then go to a few school events and walk through the halls at school events. Figure out how you learn best and use that style to get to know the new grade's requirements.



2. pencil it in

One open house may not be enough, you might want to know more about the specifics of your child's performance. No problem, contact the teacher(s) and schedule a conference. There's nothing worse for a teacher than being grabbed in the hallway for "just a minute" and end up spending the next 30 minutes talking about a student on the fly. Teachers want you in the loop and encourage a home-school connection. Get the most out of your conference by scheduling a date with the teacher so he/she can prepare work samples and offer suggestions tailored to your child's strengths and weaknesses.



3. use a dimmer switch

"Dimmer switch" sounds like the opposite of "school improvement," but go with me here. As your little angel gets older, allow for more independence. Where you may have checked every single piece of homework in younger grades, you middle schooler is ready to take that responsibility on. Don't go from "on" to "off" (like a light switch--see the metaphor?) use a dimmer switch to ease yourself out of the HM (homework manager) position and help your child learn the organization style that best meets his/her needs.