activities . Having fun , interactive activities to look forward to can significantly improve a child ’ s mood . Getting enough sleep and eating three healthy meals plus snacks are also critical for maintaining a cheerful attitude and good health .
3 ) Imagine a happy future . Many parents cannot seem to talk about the future without causing kids to feel anxious or overwhelmed . This is a surefire way to instill a sense of doom and gloom in kids about their options . Instead why not simply ask detached questions about the future and listen . We need to allow children an opportunity to inform us how they view the world long before it ’ s time to leave the nest . It may be tempting to correct their less practical inclinations , but don ’ t . Let them have their hopes and be a safe space where they can let them evolve .
4 ) Ask about the day . Don ’ t lose track of kids ’ emotional states . Ask and listen without phones within reach . Don ’ t sacrifice a daily check-in for a too-hectic schedule . Before or after dinner can be good times to chat , especially when there are after-school activities and plenty of homework . In fact , the more hectic the schedule , the more important it is to increase family down time . Try to have longer conversations about how school is going on the weekends , while you kick back and relax . Be sure to spend at least a half to a full day each week relaxing .
5 ) Review annual goals . Help your student establish academic goals that serve their vision of the future at the beginning of the school year and re-visit them intermittently as the year progresses . If you sense they are getting off track or distracted , simply say , “ What are your goals for the year again ?” Briefly chatting about goals can reinvigorate kids to put energy into achieving them . If kids are not keen on their goals , make sure they set their goals and not yours .
6 ) Make school a good fit . If your child is bored in school , maybe classes are not rigorous enough . On the flip side , if academics are too challenging , your student may constantly be struggling to keep up . Talk to the school counselor to see what options you have for making adjustments . Placement in the proper level of classes is crucial for student happiness at school . Don ’ t let school become a breeze or a punishment .
7 ) Check grades regularly . It ’ s wise to let students keep track of their own progress in school as much as possible . But touch base with them about grades often enough to help troubleshoot any problems that might crop up . The frequency of chats can vary depending on age and maturity level . Choose the routine that best supports your child ’ s success . And then cut them some slack as they take on more responsibility .
6 | ST . JOHNS parent MAGAZINE