Here are a few tips so you can be the constant support in your child’s life

• Keep expectations reasonable-Parents know their kiddies best so be realistic about your child’s abilities and where their talents lie. You may want your child to be a maths teacher but maybe your child finds it really hard to learn maths and struggles to keep on top of it. This is where you need to accept that you can’t live your own dreams through your kids and you need to let them be who they want to be.
• Support your child’s teacher- If your child comes home with homework ensure it is done to a good standard, while you shouldn’t do it for your child you should watch over them and help them if they need it. Reading at home is important as it will follow on from what your child is learning at school and develop their skills further. Remember that your child’s teacher can only do so much and that home is imperative to a child’s learning too.
• Prepare your child properly for busy days- Families are busy and some kids will find it hard going from school to home to having to study so set them up well for each day. Ensure your kid eats well, has plenty of sleep and gets their own free time to do as they wish. It can’t always be work related and kiddies need to have fun and games/sports will help their self-esteem and confidence.
• Pay attention- Be one step ahead of your child and recognise the signs if anything untoward is going on in their lives away from home. Be present for as much as you can, and if you are busy during the day ensure you always put aside a few minutes to have a natter with your nipper.
• Listen to the little things- If you don’t listen to your child’s little stories they won’t come to you for the big stories that might be important to your child. Have a good relationship with your kiddie, allow them to stretch their wings but be close by to help them in any way that you can.
• Encourage your child- Never ever stop encouraging your kiddie to do their best at everything, no task should be just thrown together and no project should be rushed. Tell your child to put 100% of themselves into everything that they do and even if they don’t get top marks or win every match that you love them for being them and pushing themselves.
• Face challenges together- Nothing is ever plain sailing, there will be a time when your child will question their abilities or consider giving up something they love as they are afraid to fail. However, it is up to you to help your child and tell them that you will work together going forward and that they are never alone in this world.