It’s officially the end of the school year. And if you’re anything like me, you’re ready to never pack another lunch box again – at least not for the next two months.
It’s been a long year. You and your kids have made it through endless carpools, spelling tests, homework arguments and tears.
No one said it’d be easy!
Look, the truth is, both kids and parents alike start the school year off with a sense of excitement. We definitely end the school year with some butterflies as well, although these are the kind that can’t wait to get out of the classroom and into the nearest pool.
But here’s the thing, as a former teacher, there’s one piece of information I can tell you for sure: Just because your kid can’t wait to get out of the classroom doesn’t mean it’s time to check out of the school mindset. The last few weeks of school, believe it or not, is still and important part of the school year!
And parents, here’s a tip from me to you: boycotting lunchbox duty might make for a great story in the carpool circuit, but is also as frowned upon as letting your child give up on their educational responsibilities just weeks shy of the last day of school.
Here’s how to keep your child motivated when summer is just around the corner:
1. Stay Firm
Yes, you’re likely over it. The homework drama, the studying, the tests. It’s no easy feat to keep your child focused and dedicated to their schoolwork. But guess what, folks: if you start to slack and ease up on your child’s homework and/or study routines, they’re going to raise you that inch and take a mile. Stay firm, stick to your guns, and before you know it, you’ll be packing away that backpack in the hallway closet for a while.
2. Start Negotiating
So, your child can’t wait to attend that pricey basketball/swim/dance camp? I’m pretty sure you’d like them to feel like they’ve earned it, right? Well, this means they have to hold up their end of the “I will do well in school” bargain all the way until the very end. Don’t be afraid to pull this card the next time you hear “but I don’t want to do my homework, there’s only two weeks left of school anyway.” You say bribery, I say “brilliance.”
3. Keep It Real
Be honest with your child. Allow them to express their feelings. They’re burnt out, and you probably are too. It is so important to not dismiss this as laziness or an excuse to go have some fun. Your child has given it their all this year. Kids these days are pushed harder than ever both in and out of the classroom to perform at their very best, and it’s nothing short of exhausting. A heart-to-heart conversation with your child, one where you actually hear one another out about what it feels like to be wrapping up yet another intense and action-packed school year, could certainly stir up that final push of effort to end the school year on a high note. Sometimes allowing your child to just express what they feel, and acknowledging it with sincerity, helps them feel supported enough to continue making you proud.
Deep breaths, everyone, you’re almost there.