Encourage your child to write a thank-you note to a teacher or coach
who has been a positive influence.
Try to remember your life as a student. It can help you relate to your child.
As a family, decide on a household rule and the consequences for
breaking it.
Thank your child for doing something.
Ask about your child’s most challenging school subject. Together,
brainstorm strategies to make it easier.
Admit it and apologize to your child when you’re wrong. This is a skill your child can learn that will serve your child well in the future.
Ask your child to tell you about this week’s assignments.
Have your child teach you something he or she is learning, such as a science
skill.
“Because I said so!” is frustrating to hear. Explain your reasoning when possible.
Help your child consider possible consequences before making a
decision.
Talk to your child about social media. Make it clear that people should
never say or do anything online that they wouldn’t in real life.
Share a study strategy, such as doing one more quick review of
material right before bed.
Try to have a rhyming conversation with your child. It may be tough at
first, but you’ll both get better!
Encourage your child to find out when teachers are available to give
extra help.
Encourage your child to ask at least one question in each of her classes
regularly.
Have your child spend 10 minutes at night getting ready for the next
day. Mornings will be calmer.
At dinner, have each family member say something nice about every
person at the table.
Ask your teen: “If you could trade lives with somebody you know,
who would it be? Why?”
If your teen is interested in a job that doesn’t require a college degree,
help him or her find out what it does require.
Try to have an entire conversation with your teen in rhyme.