By Amy Blakeslee
Nov 9, 2009
Every parent wants their child to do well in school; however, there are times when children fall behind in a class or subject and begin to get bad grades. Slipping grades in one area should be addressed but should not be a reason to panic. However, a sudden change in all grades or a whole new attitude about school should be a warning sign that a more serious issue is developing. Grades are usually only part of the story, and there might be much more to be concerned about.
When bad grades are a warning sign:
A bad grade on a single assignment should not be treated like a national emergency. However, a string of bad grades in one subject or a string of bad grades across many subjects could mean that it is time to sit down and talk to your child. Before you do, ask yourself these questions:
- Has your child reported having problems with this grade level of school previously?
- Has your child been ill or absent in the recent past?
- Has your child had any behavioral changes at home?
- Are there frequent complaints of headaches? (Could indicate a need for glasses, one of the many reasons that children fall behind.)
- Is there a reason to believe that your child is being bullied, threatened or intimidated at school?
- Is there a reason to believe that your child might be using drugs or alcohol?
If you suspect that slipping grades can be a sign of something more serious like drugs or alcohol, it is of the utmost importance that you investigate the reason why immediately. If you have already ruled out the other causes, then you must do whatever it takes to assure yourself that drugs are not a problem.
When to let the battle go:
Pushing your child too hard can cause a breakdown and while you would like to see them excel at everything, there are some subjects that are going to be a struggle. If you know that your child has trouble in math for instance, you might consider letting a low B or even a high C go. Straight As are a great aspiration, but getting them should not be such a stress for the parent or child that they hate the subject or school in general.
If you are teaching your children about responsibility and consequences, then adopt a hands-off policy and let them learn that earning a bad grade will prevent them from earning rewards and other benefits.
A side note about grades: There are times when earning bad grades may actually be a good thing. For instance, if your child is becoming so grade obsessed that little else matters, it might be good to let them see that a C or D is not the end of the world. And, if they are earning a bad grade for refusing to participate in something that they believe to be ethically wrong, then they are learning far more in the long run.
Tips to help get your student back on track:
Getting your child back on track could mean hiring a tutor in some cases or could be simpler in others. For instance, cutting back on some of their after-school activities could be helpful for them in many cases. Making sure that they are getting enough sleep and eating a good breakfast are other tips that can help greatly. Other study tips:
- Set a time for study/homework every single school day.
- Set up an area for study/homework and make sure that it does not have distractions like television, etc. if possible. Make sure that the lighting is adequate.
- Before sitting down for a study session, your child should have a healthy snack so that they are not distracted by hunger.
- No friends, no phone, no computer games during study time: no exceptions.
As you can see. you can help your child overcome bad grades by addressing the issue with common sense and in a timely manner. We recommend the following products to help your child overcome specific issues related to bad grades:
Overcoming School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and Other Worries
Homework Help Wellness Oil 2 fl. oz.
S.O.A.R. Homework Help! for Parents
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