Handling Progress Report Scaries
School is back in session, you are back in your routine and your kids are adjusting into homework and practice schedules. The excitement of the new school year has started to wind down and reality is hitting in the form of the First Nine Week Progress Report. Good grades, decent grades or bad grades, progress reports almost always lead to anxiety. You may find yourself questioning – Is my child performing to the best of their ability? Is there something more I need to be doing to help? Is there something wrong with my child? These are common and normal thoughts when the progress report or conduct report comes in. But what exactly do we do?
In my work as a Professional School Counselor I have seen it all, the parent worried that their child made a B or the student who could care less that he is already failing Algebra I for the second time. The question is always the same, “What do we do to help them succeed?”. My first response is always to contact the teacher. The teacher is in the classroom with your child each day. They see your child struggle, excel, worry, cry over a bad grade and process their day to day lives. They know your child. Teachers can sometimes be the biggest and underused resource for your child.
Oftentimes we hear kids are scared to ask a question in class or even approach the teacher after class for help. Setting an example by communicating with the teacher may pave the way for your child to do the same. This leads me to my second suggestion, your kid is their own best advocate. Teaching them how to speak up when they need help, ask questions when they don’t understand and stand up for themselves are attributes that will help them succeed in school and their future career. Having the ability to communicate (networking), advocate (pay raise, position) and work hard is what makes someone employable. These are all skills that your child can learn and implement now!
Lastly, do not be afraid to go to the School Counselor to ask for help. Your child’s School Counselor is there to advocate for academic, social, emotional and career needs. The School Counselor is there to help your child with a plan for success, including something as simple as writing out a timeline to turn in late work before the 9 weeks end. This also allows your child to advocate for themselves in private and not in a classroom full of their peers. For the anxious and shy child, this option still allows them to build the skills previously mentioned above in an environment they may be more comfortable in.
At the end of the day, our goal is to raise capable adults. Lean into the resources, school community and support systems you have to help your child succeed. Ultimately, you are the expert on your child, you know them best and will know how to help them when they don’t understand how to help themselves.
