BY NANCY STOOPS
Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Every day that our children go to school they make a decision to either just take up space or to really learn. Most children are in school for the better part of their day. The law tells us our children need to get an education. Many children thrive and do very well, many do not.
This is a great time to have a discussion with your child about what they need to do to make this school year better. Explain to them that they have to be there and they have a choice to either take up space or really soak up what is being taught. Having the correct mindset can be a very powerful tool when one is trying to succeed in any area.
Take some time to explain how many hours they are spending at school and ask them if they like wasting their time. I add up the hours my clients spend per year in the classroom and then I explain that they have a choice in how they can use those hours. I don’ think anybody likes the idea of wasting their time. Ask your children what worked for them last year and what they seem to need help with. Also remind them that some of the most brilliant people need help and that asking for help does not imply that you are unintelligent.
Help make this year your child’s best one yet. Explain how valuable their time in the classroom is. As the world becomes more competitive we as parents need to do all we can to help our children succeed. Getting a great education is a huge part of that recipe for success and so is helping them build the confidence they need.
This article was written by Nancy stoops, M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Diamond Bar, and is currently accepting new clients. Nancy also runs free family support groups, anger management groups, and special groups for seniors and teens. She is also available for motivational speaking engagements. For more information on any of these services, contact Nancy at (909)229-0727.
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