September, 2008
by Shannon K. Spellman, M.S.W.
For most families, teens are back in school now and it's important to help them adapt to the new structure for the year. Do you know your adolescent's school policies about attendance, tardiness, behavior and discipline? Have you read the student handbook? Do you know how to access these policies as well as information about grades online?
Most teens don't make these things priorities for you to know about. In fact, many of them don't know the rules themselves until they break one. They are more likely to speak about them in terms of what the limits of testing them are and you may hear things like "I'm allowed to miss 13 days." The idea that they may need those days because of unexpected illness or family emergencies is just not likely to enter their minds.
So, while you may not be able to change your kid's priorities, you can take responsibility for knowing the policies yourself so that you can stay ahead of the game when issues arise. Ignorance doesn't place you in a position of parental empowerment. Knowledge can.
©2008. Hiding Star Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
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