Parents sometimes get very upset when their child brings home a report card with bad grades. Poor report cards have been a major cause of arguments between parents and kids.

We always want to see our children do better in school. Here are "Do’s" and "Don’ts" that will help you help your child.

Don’t…….Yell, scream, or call your child names. This makes it harder for you to find out what is going on with your child in school.

Do…….Be calm. Sit down with your child. Tell them to explain what they think is the problem. They might try to blame someone else. Ask them what they might do to make things better, no matter what someone else does.

Don’t…….Talk only about the bad things on the report card.

Do…….find something, no matter how small, that is better or is always good. If we don’t encourage a child in some way, they may just give up and make things worse.

Don’t…….Use the report card to judge your child’s future. Some people do this by saying things like: "You’ll never amount to anything" or "You’re nothing but a bum just like…."

Do……Talk about how things can be better right now. This time in your child’s life is a time to learn and grow, not give up. Help them by giving them hope.

Don’t …..Leave your child alone to figure out what needs to be done to improve.

Do…….Make a plan with them that will help them. Ask for suggestions what they think they can do If they have good ideas, use them. A couple of ideas are:
doing their homework as soon as they get home from school, and/or checking their homework each night when it is done. Make sure you follow your plan once you have made it.

Don’t…….Forget to look at all the reasons why your child isn’t doing well in school.

Do…..Have your school nurse check for problems with eye sight, hearing, or attention span. Check to see if something is happening at home or school that has them upset or frightened.

Don’t …..Think that your child’s poor report card means you are a poor parent.

Do….Remember that you can create a good home where your child can learn and grow. The rest is up to them.

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