What do our kids see?

Parents,

This is a solemn post today. While interacting with your students, and trying to enforce the importance of paying attention, following their dreams, and doing what is important, I have noticed a sad trend. This comes up more around conference time, as I beg the students to get you, the parent, to come be a participant in their education.

Now, this is not EVERY parent, nor has EVERY child said this to me. But as parents (myself included), we need to see the adult model that we are presenting to our children.

 

These past few years I have heard many things that makes me think about my own parenting: Students who say things to me like, "I wish my parents knew my teachers. Like, I wish they would come to conferences and open house night," or "My mom didn't sign the paper because she was watching a movie on her phone, like always."

 

I do understand that reality vs. what they 10 year old perceives can be very different things, but remember: What your child perceives is their reality.

 

Have conversations with your kids. Do you know what is important to them? Do you know how they see you? Do you know what their teachers think of them? Do you know their favorite subject?

 

A poll was done a few years ago with a certain elementary school grade: "What do you wish your parents would do more?" Over 80% said, "Put down their phones and play with me. "

 

Thank you for being involved, supportive, and the amazing parents that I know you are!