MeyerPark Charter News

Being a parent can be a difficult job that seems to get more challenging every year. Your once-loving child has grown into a young adult who is now challenging your authority and pushing for more independence. Understanding that this is part of the growing-up process can help you get through the difficult times, but don’t overlook the simple things you can do to help develop a healthy relationship.

Don’t be afraid to be a parent; your kids already have friends. Though children often deny it, they need and want boundaries that will help them feel safe and secure. As much as possible, your home should be a safe haven from all the confusion they face on a daily basis.

Here are some helpful tips that can help you get through these years:

• Eat meals together as a family—this can be especially challenging if activities overlap into the dinner hour, so you may need to make some compromises.
• Initiate conversations and keep the lines of communication open. Put boundaries on the use of electronic devices if necessary.
• Tell your child you love him—and say it often.
• Listen to your child and try to hear what he’s not saying as well as what he is saying.
• Allow your child to transition from parental discipline to self-discipline by allowing him to appropriately negotiate rules.

Most importantly, be a positive influence in your child’s life. Look for those moments that can build closeness and keep communication open. It won’t be long before your child will be gone, building a life for himself.

Do you find it hard to get your son or daughter to study? Would their grades improve if they had better study skills and resources? If you answered yes to either question, we have some helpful tips for you!

GreatSchools.org is a great online resource with tips to help your child prepare for a successful study session. The site is for mainly middle school students, but most of the rules can be applied to all students. Simple tips such as how to organize their study space, plan time to study, and having proper study materials can go a long way toward helping your child be successful. For more detailed information about how to help your child develop and practice good study habits, please visit GreatSchools.org.

If you prefer the approach of helping your child directly, then you may want to refresh your memory on topics you learned in school. A good place to get started is Khan Academy. This online resource can help anyone with a wide range of topics. Here you can look up information that you need, or your child can go there to do research! It has everything your child needs to advance learning. Topics include Arts and Crafts, Nutritional Information, and even information on Athletics and Sports. Simply put, if you or your child wants to learn about something, Khan Academy is a great place to get started! 

If studying in the traditional way is not working for your child, you should look online at Fun Brain for a more interactive approach to studying. Don't let the fact that it is full of games discourage you from letting your child go there. The games provided on this great, interactive site teaches your child a variety subjects while reinforcing basic skills in math, reading, science, and other subjects. Remember, even though they are playing games, they are learning! Any kind of learning is good!