Guess what time of year it is, the month of September, known to be both nerve-racking and exhilarating for parents and their children, whether they are just starting their educational journey or have been involved for some time. Despite the big build-up to the September send-off, the school year is a long ten months that requires continued parental management and involvement. The working mum might not know what to do, as she tries to balance the vocations associated with her career, alongside the responsibility of managing the kids. This can be so overwhelming, that you might feel as if you are on a precarious tightrope in a circus, as you plan your business lunches, drive the kid’s back-and-forth to their piano lessons or ballet, arrange to meet with the teachers and so on. When you do feel a bit loony and in need of a good vent, make sure you’ve got an online coaching website bookmarked for some aid and support! In the meantime, with some careful preparation, you and your kids can look forward to a happy school experience year-round! Follow the helpful pointers below to make your year a success.
Keep Contact with the Classroom
Maintaining a relationship with your son or daughter’s school can help you keep abreast of all developments that affect your child’s education. You should consider meeting the teachers a couple of weeks in advance, especially in the case of young children, as the kids may be less fearful if you introduce them to their new classroom environment ahead of time. If the school has a curriculum or calendar available, take one and keep it handy to follow along with your child’s progress. Keep track of any questions or concerns and address them at Parent-Teacher interview nights, but ask your teacher to contact you earlier should any significant problems arise. Finally, plan on attending PTA meetings regularly, and if time allows, volunteer to help with school fund-raisers or bake sales. Getting acquainted with the other parents and kids lets you know who your child is socialising with while allowing you to make new contacts and friends on the side!
Bring the Classroom to Your Home
When it comes to a potentially successful school year ahead, it’s all about communicating and organising. Involving your children in planning and decision-making validates their opinions and gives them a sense of control over their educational experience. Before school begins, get them to help you set up a homework-station where they’ll feel comfortable studying. When they have decided, put all those supplies and storage boxes in place, so that their school work can feel structured and organised. On the wall nearby, put up a large calendar to help both parents and children keep track of any out of school activities, important tests or upcoming holidays. Each Sunday, gather everyone together to review the upcoming week’s schedule and make planning a fun family affair!
Have a Plan of Action
It would be nice if we could plan for everything. Every now and again, the babysitter that you had arranged for after school could come down with the flu and be stuck in bed, or the child entrusted with the key could lose it on the bus ride home, somehow. It’s important for you and your kids to discuss potential emergencies and have a plan of action at the ready. Always be sure that you are in communication at all times and you should try and check in with the children periodically to see if everything is okay. Working mums are usually apprehensive about school requirements, especially the potential for unfinished homework or the worry that a particular child may be falling behind and not having enough one-on-one interaction with the teacher. No wonder you have a lot to do, as you add all this worry to the Monday morning work deadlines or upcoming midweek marketing meetings! When the responsibility seems unmanageable, that’s the perfect time for some professional coaching. A good Life Coach can help you to understand how to strike a balance between home and work, while ensuring that the school year progresses smoothly all the way through to the end.
Amanda Alexander is Director of Coaching Mums and a highly acclaimed ICF-accredited coach who delivers online coaching programmes to working mums who yearn for success, balance and fulfilment. Are you a juggling mom? Download our free eBook for working mums that will give you 5 simple and instant ways to balance your life right now!


