Back to School: Parents’ P.O.V.

Versión en español aquí>>Perspectiva de los padres por el regreso a clases

By Aracely Argueta

I am of Guatemalan origin, a mother of three children, and have lived in Louisiana for 15 years and currently reside in Slidell. I am an entrepreneur and dedicate myself to sharing my lifestyle on my social networks. I talk about mental health without taboo and the importance of family. 

For me, a new school year means new challenges and opportunities, especially for our children. I set out to investigate how other parents feel about the start of the new school year. I called friends and acquaintances who are parents, and these were the conclusions of our feelings about returning to school: 

OPPORTUNITY: for some parents, it is an opportunity to work and save, since in the summer, they had to stay at home taking care of the children or pay someone to do so. Returning to school also gives them time and the opportunity to go to the gym and meet up with friends. At the same time, it is an opportunity for children to socialize, learn new things, limit screen use, and focus on their responsibilities.

CHALLENGE: Other parents mentioned the challenges of getting everywhere on time due to school traffic, especially when they are responsible for transporting their children to school. Parents must fulfill all responsibilities: have lunch boxes, uniforms, homework, and extracurricular activities ready or even be available for school emergency calls.

FEAR: I really did not expect this emotion, and I confess that it left me with chills. A mother confessed that she is worried about insecurity due to school attacks. We think that our children are in a safe place and sometimes they are not. However, it’s important to remember that schools have safety measures to protect our children. Sadly, children at an early age learn how to take care of themselves in situations of armed attacks, but we can take comfort in the fact that schools are doing their best to keep our children safe.

Open communication is key. Inappropriate treatment of our children by their peers is always a concern. It is important to talk to our children about having a kind attitude with all their peers and avoiding bullying at all costs. By fostering open communication and creating a safer school environment, we can empower our children to stand up against bullying.

To have successful learning, my recommendations include establishing a safe and positive learning environment, getting involved in school activities, helping children plan a schedule, and being very attentive to emotional changes that children and young people may present to support them. It is important to talk to our children positively, provide a nutritious menu, keep an eye on their medical appointments, and monitor their progress. It is very important to me to entrust our children and their teachers in prayer daily. 

Happy return to the marathon mornings!