If your child’s grades are dropping
DO NOT:
Yell at them for three hours
Take away their devices and look through them
Make them sit in their rooms in silent and do their homework alone
Side with the teacher and not get your child’s side of the story
Tell them that their grades are the most important thing they should worry about
INSTEAD:
Ask if they’re having trouble with other students or teachers
Sit down with them and help them with what they don’t understand
Speak calmly instead of yelling
Don’t invade their privacy by looking through their devices
Don’t take away their hobbies as punishment
Never make them feel unsafe or unable to trust you
This has been a message from a struggling high school junior that wishes their own parents actually did this stuff.
Bonus: Don’t look through their freaking backpacks. Chances are they know damn well they have loads of unfinished papers and the stress of knowing is so overwhelming they don’t even wanna look at it.
Also: Don’t belittle or minimize their struggles. If they need support with mental health, help them find a therapist - and for the love of all that is good, do not make therapy a punishment for bad grades. Actually genuinely care about their mental health and prioritize mental health above good grades.
