by Rosalind Ngo-Li
Moms play a crucial role in every child’s success in school and later on, in life. Choosing a good school is one thing, but doing your part as a mother makes a whole lot of difference. How a child succeeds as a student depends on the partnership you share with the school.
I am a working mom with two children, one is in Grade 4 and another one is in Grade 1. As they level up each year, my responsibilities as a mother get heavier, too. I have more lessons to review, more subjects to teach, not to mention that the difficulty level gets higher and higher as well. It is like I am going to school all over again! Here are three important roles I play in my children’s school life to increase their chances of success.
Coach
My husband has offered to get a tutor for my kids. When the decibels in the house get higher, and when my vocal chords are being stretched to the limit, he believes it’s time to get one. I have nothing against tutors but I believe mothers are the best tutors for their children since they have more determination. We do not easily give up explaining to them until they really understand the lessons, whereas most professional tutors stop when the time is up. But of course, if you can’t find the time, and the children need help, getting a tutor will be necessary.
As a mom, I always do more than I need to. My kids complain that my quiz review is like a board exam. But I always remind them that one should not go into battle without being equipped. So I try my best to be as comprehensive as possible in reviewing each lesson.
Cheerleader
Every morning, as I usher them to school, I tell them with a bright smile: “Enjoy your day and let’s do a great job!” I do a two-hand fist bump with them, give them a two-thumbs up, and get them excited about their day. I encourage them to look forward to an upcoming activity. The energy of your enthusiasm will be contagious, and they will get excited too!
If you want to build confidence in your children, it is imperative to make each child feel they are important. So after school, make sure to ask them about their day. If they tell you about something that they did well in class, congratulate them, and reaffirm that they did a great job. If they share a disappointment, such as a low grade or not winning a prize in a contest, reassure them that as long as they did their best, it is alright. There’s always a next time, I say. Show your child that your belief and love for them are not affected. Let them know you are still cheering for them no matter what. Allow them to join every challenge in the class. Give them a chance to gain experience in a safe environment exploring a wide variety of situations and learning from them. Teaching them the theories of life is never enough. Experience is still the best teacher.
Comforter
Just because we pour our heart out instructing our kids does not always guarantee a ticket to the top. Sometimes our children are victorious in their endeavors. At times, they’re not. Winning or being the top student should not be the main focus. Make sure you allow your kids to grow and learn from each mistake. Teach them to accept defeat when things do not work out the way they want and be ready to give the best medicine in the world—warm hugs! Scolding them at times like these is not the best response.
Conclusion
Fulfilling our duty as a mother is never easy. Time management is very crucial as we juggle the different roles we play, most especially for working mothers. We want the best for our child, that’s why we give them our best. In reality, there are no hard and fast rules about how to make your child succeed in school. Reading all the self-help books available may not even be the answer. You must find an approach that works for you. Some people even joke and say that it is “all in the genes.” But the truth is that the best weapon we have as mothers is prayer. So give your best and always pray for the best for your child.
