Basic Traits of A+ Parents

 

Q. Congratulations! You're a mom or dad who has already demonstrated a keen interest in your child's education simply by reading this. To sum up what educators, employers, taxpayers and all the other stakeholders in education want from you, here are a few common-sense ideas.

 

n      Get as much education as you can before you settle down to have kids. The No. 1 indicator of school success for a young person is having a well-educated, stable, secure parent.

n      Be married when you have the child and stay married. Nothing helps a child focus on learning as much as parents who are sticking together and getting along.

n      Serve well-balanced, homemade meals as often as you can, and make sure your child eats good food at least three times a day, especially at breakfast. Minimize junk food, candy, sweets, soda pop and fried foods. Have healthy snacks like fresh fruits and sliced vegetables on hand at all times.

n      Keep a routine schedule with a regular wake-up time, regular mealtimes, a regular homework time and a regular bedtime.

n      Set up a quiet place for homework and insist that it be done with no other media distractions – no headphones, no TV.

n      Make sure your child gets at least eight hours of sleep.

n      Let your child choose how to spend one "media hour" per day. That means a total of one hour using the TV, audio equipment, Instant Messenger, computer games, or any other entertainment-type media, after chores and homework.

n      Limit after-school activities to one or two at a time.

n      Take your child to the library once every week or two.

n      Read to your child nightly through Grade 6.

n      Talk to your child about sex and other "hot potatoes." Don't leave the key tasks of parenting up to strangers at school.

n      Tell your child at each parting: "I love you!"

 

 

Copyright 2005 • Susan Darst Williams, www.DailySusan.org, is a writer, wife and mother of four who lives at the base of Mount Laundry, Neb.