For most parents, their children come first. Unfortunately, with the current financial situation when times are tough, both parents have to work. Sometime one even has to work two jobs in order to make ends meet. At times like that, it is hard to be available for your children. Schools have been going on for almost 3 months now. But during these months that your children have been going to their classes, have you made your presence felt in their school lives? We all know how important it is for parents to be available for their children. Not only to take care of what they need every day but to be available for their questions when they come home from school, follow-up on what happened to their day, and just letting your children know you are there for them, no matter how busy. With two jobs and assorted problems, it is kind of hard to be able to give the necessary time for your children. But, this is what they need most.

It may be difficult and time-consuming but definitely worth your time. Not only are you updated on the on-goings of your children but you also know what they currently need at the moment. This in turn will help your children’s teachers and make their lives easier. The teachers patiently teach your children the abc’s, teach them how to write, how to read, and how to count. But other than that, they also teach your children how to be polite and helpful. They cuddle your children and wipe their tears when they are upset, attend to their cuts and bruises, and even mend their school uniforms, if needed. The only problem is that sometimes parents expect too much from their children’s teachers because of these. There are things that teachers do simply because they really love your children though it is not in their job descriptions. They do some things because they have to, the children need for them to do it and often times because parents failed to do it for them.

Teachers are human and they also need to be appreciated. Teaching is not simply standing in front of these kids and talk. They research and do a lot of things to make their lessons lively, entertaining aside from educational. They try to find ways to ensure that they are able to capture the children’s attention and hold it enough for them to learn. Parents need to know that more teachers go above and beyond their call of duty. They are not just simple teachers but also seamstress who mend their school uniform shirts, the nurse who cleans and heals their cuts, the counselor who listens to their heartaches, the policeman who oversees the safety and security of the class, the nanny who makes your children go to sleep and many more.

While teachers are expected to do these things for our children, they also want to remind parents the role they need to play. They need to follow-up with their children, help in doing their homework and identifying possible problems or where your children needs help most. Helping your children is not limited to the school work because learning is not limited to that. While cooking you can identify the different ingredients and maybe what they are good for. On your way home, maybe you can teach your children about the things they see along the way.

It is also important that parents let their children do their own projects and homework. If your children make mistakes, then at least they learn from it. Teachers would rather see a project that is glued lop-sided than a PowerPoint presentation from a kindergarten. Children learn from their mistakes and parents should let them make it rather than coddle them. What they also want to see is more organization from parents with regards to the personal things of your child. Label all their things and make sure their bags are all neat, organized with all the necessary things in them. Parents make it harder for teachers when they also need to look for the homework or project that needs to be checked.

Parents should also realize that it is okay to talk to teachers. To be honest, it is not only okay, it is a must that parents talk to teachers. The conference between parents and teachers is not the only time for a talk. Each time you bring your child to school or fetch then from school, at least say hello. Let your child’s teacher know that you appreciate what they are doing, let them know how they are helping or your child’s activities over the weekend. If you can’t talk to them, give them a call or email them. Do not wait for them to contact you, make the first move. Ask questions! Find out how our child is at school, how well they interact with other kids, who their friends are. Communication should be open between parents and child as well as parent and teachers. Making your presence felt in your child’s school life is very important for their progress and development.