Start School the S.M.A.R.T. Way
I love it when someone asks me advice. For a parenting strategist with a blog named Merry Meddling, it’s like pouring gasoline on a fire.
An Awesome Mom’s Question
I have a high schooler and a middle schooler. We moved to a new school district last spring, so needless to say, it wasn’t a stellar year for either of them. How can I help them make a fresh start with the upcoming year?
Time to Merrily Meddle
Whether the school year is over, or you’re smack dab in the middle of it, you can reorient your student’s perspective with a chat that…
- objectively explores what happened,
- clarifies what they want to happen instead
- creates a plan for going forward
This can have an extremely positive impact if you can manage to make it through without being judgmental about past performances. You child will feel heard and supported; but most importantly, hopeful about the school year.
Powerful Parenting Strategies:
This calls for a conversation!* Pick a neutral setting, and a neutral time when nothing is dependent on the outcome of your discussion. Ask them questions that will allow them to objectively evaluate and assess the previous quarter’s situation. From there, they can make some Fresh Start Resolutions (why wait for the new year?), at a time when nothing is hanging in the balance.
*Hold these conversations with each kid individually, where they
can more freely express themselves without sibling judgment.
As mention earlier, this is not the time nor place to be judgmental (“You did good/bad”). This is the time to build a team with your kids, where you are on their side, examining the process, and facing the academic challenge together. Once you do that, you can make SMART Goals for their Fresh Start Resolutions. Try this:
- Tell your kids to envision next June and how they want to feel going into final exams/report cards.
- Make two specific goals (see below) whose outcome can be measured. These goals must be realistic for the what’s-left-in-the-school-year time frame.
- Cook up an appropriate reward for achieving the goals.
- Schedule weekly check-ins to make sure they’re on track, creating short-term accountability with long-term benefits.
Now, it’s your turn. Share a goal with your tween/teen you would like to achieve by June. That makes you accountable, too. Come up with an appropriate reward for your achievement.
Then create another reward the two of you can share when you both reach your goals. Teamwork Rocks!
Happily,
Deborah
——-
I’m always looking for more content to share with you. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
More soon. Wishing you and yours health and happiness,
Deborah Ann Davis
Parenting Strategist Extraordinaire
Mama, it’s time to hit reset.
The Mommy Reset: When You Ain’t Happy… Ain’t Nobody Happy! will help you reclaim your joy and find balance—no more guilt, no more overwhelm. I’ll guide you through simple steps to find joy, calm, and balance in your life—so you can show up as the mom you want to be.
Join the Reset for Just $47 (Original $97) while the offer lasts!
When mama’s in a good place, everything else falls into place.
About the Author
Hi There! And, Welcome!
I’m Deborah Ann Davis, and I’ve been at this for over three decades, first as a high school teacher, and now as a parenting strategist within The Awesome Mom Tribe. I’m into sharing tons of techniques that put you in touch with yourself, despite all that negative energy out there.
On a personal note, I’m all about bird-watching, rock-collecting, picture-taking and science-geeking. I have a wonderful husband and we have an incredible daughter (objectively speaking, of course). Basically, with all its ups and downs, I love my life!
The Secret to a Healthy Life: Laugh Every Day!
