In the Greater Boston area, schools are opening, which mean kids have to get up early, clear out the sleep from their eye, grab their back packs and go to that place where they are supposed to learn all the things they need to learn to be wikked smahht.
Not sure about you, but when I was growing up, my mother was the key-driver behind all the school stuff. I mean, yea, my father did homework with me from time to time, but whenever shit when down at school, mom was always there to deal with it in one way or another.
With two kids heading to school this fall — one in first grade and the other in pre-school — my educational experience got me thinking about how important it is for dads to be involved in their kids school work and experience.
Since this is a dads blog, I’m focusing on the dads, but you get my drift. Parents need to be involved, period.
The reason why it’s important for dads to be involved in the educational experience for of their kids because it is something they will be dealing with for 16+ years (not to mention having to pay for it when they go to a college prep school and/or college).
Dads (and moms) have to be involved in the schooling of their kids because it provides structure. Be sure to review their homework consistently. Be sure to set aside time from your busy work schedule to be there during the parent/teacher events. Be sure to show up for the little shows and competitions at school.
Yea, I know this is all basic stuff but believe me, us dads get rapped up in the day to day things. Sometimes we need to stop and think about how our schedules can impact the entire family — like rescheduling a 5pm conference call for the next morning so you don’t miss dinner at home where you’ll ask about your kids’ day at school, inquire about how they did on a test, etc.
Dads just can’t be on the sideline reviewing the report card every quarter. We need to be just as involved as the moms and make an effort to do so. After all, it’s their future. Don’t you want a role in making it a positive one?
Don Martelli is just a dad, moonlighting as a PR exec, photographer and civilian journalist. He’s the executive editor for Technorati, a co-founder of Every Other Thursday and is a contributing writer for Shamable and the PR Finish Line. Connect with him at www.donmartelli.com or @bigguyd via Twitter.
