Any parents of new high-schoolers?

mhwood

My daughter starts Gr. 9 this year, we just went to pick up most of her uniform parts and we are just waiting on her crested polos to come in. 

Anyone else out there the parent of a high-school student?  Any advice? 

howleyshell

I'm a step-mom to a 15 yr old about to start his sophomore year.

He lives with us 50% of the time.

I'm sure it's VERY different for boys than for girls but the best advice I can offer is to listen, listen, listen.

Ask about school as much as you can before you get signals that the eye roll is coming or she's getting frustrated with you.

The one big thing we did was after the first week was over and the jitters about finding new class rooms and meeting new people was over we sat down and reiterated how high school is different from middle school in that EVERYTHING counts now grade wise.

We reminded him that the best and fastest way to get away from his annoying parents was to get awesome grades and go away to college.

Every.  single.  thing he does in high school impacts his ability to get into college.

We made it frank but tried to keep it light too.

He was already pretty autonomous in regards to being on top of his assignments so we didn't really set any rules regarding monitoring his homework besides telling him that the second his grades started slipping the PSP and cell phone would disappear and we'd be all up in his business making sure every single stitch of homework was done every single night.

Worked like a charm.  He started and ended his 9th grade year with excellent study habits and grades. 

 

We also took the chance to remind him that if he ever finds himself in ANY situation he's uncomfortable with all he has to do is call us and we'll come get him with no questions asked.

We told him we may be old but we were in high school once too.  We know what kind of stuff goes on and we want him to be safe above all else. 

I hope the transition goes smoothly for her and you!

If you're anything like me you're sitting back and wondering how on earth your little girl can possibly already be in high school!

 

J+R

I have a SD that does not live with us (about 1000+ miles away) so we are not really involved in the school aspect, etc.  but I would strongly suggest keeping up with whats going on in school (when are progress reports given? report cards? days off?)  We have had a lot of issues with these things, but I've been pretty on top of them so it helps.

I would also get to know the guidance counselor and use that person if needed.