by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: June 16, 2009

Our lives are busy and it is difficult for parents to be able to fit in involvement in the school their children attend. That is quite understandable, but, there are great benefits to being involved in what is going on with your child at school and the activities that go on there. You only have one chance to raise your children. The things you do or don't do now will affect your children for the rest of their lives.

Here are some of the advantages of parental involvement in school:

Knowledge

If you are involved in your children's school you will be more aware of any issues that the school and your children face. You will also be more aware of when report cards and such things are being sent out. You will have an insiders view rather than standing outside a very small window looking in.

Better Relationship

Your relationship with your children is much better when you are involved in the school. When you have the interaction of volunteering to the school, you get to see your child on a regular basis throughout the day. You will see first hand what your child has been doing rather than relying on spotty reports from the child who often leaves out the intricate details. This will allow the conversation out of school to take an entirely new direction.

Grades Don't Suffer As Much

Lack of parental involvement in their child's school doesn't stop at the school doors. A parent must keep him/herself in the know about homework assignments. Parents need to know about the subjects that his/her child is learning in order to help the child when he/she gets "stuck" on something. The more you can help your child with schoolwork, the better his/her grades will be.

Friends

When you get involved in school, you will get to know the people that he/she "hangs out" with. There won't be a face you don't know. When your child talks about "Jenny Pumpernickel" you will know her face and what type of person she is. This comes in handy when the children get older and have more freedoms.

It Shows You Care

Being involved in your child's schooling shows your child that you care about him/her and about the school itself. Children will often complain when their parents get involved in the school. That is only natural. The truth is, they don't really mean it. They say it because they don't want their friends to think they totally rely on their parents. What they really mean to say is, "Thanks for caring about me more than the other kids parents do!"

Not everyone can be totally involved in the school their children attend. The need for nearly every person to work has created a barrier between parents and the school system. There doesn't have to be a total lack of parental involvement in school though. You can do little things to be part of what is going on in your child's school life. Attending meetings or even going to the school concert can be great ways to show your support for the school. The opportunities are limitless.

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