The staggered beginning of term is upon us yet again. Staggered in the sense that, unlike in the past where all schools opened on the same day, creating a melee on the road that stretched into the night, and distracting business the entire day, now different schools open on different days, which lends some sanity on the roads, in medical facilities where parents take their children for tests (and, sometimes, treatment) and in supermarkets where all that extravagant shopping takes place.
The prudent parent is already Talk, pray with your child before they return to school done with all requisite preps, except the actual driving of the children to school, which cannot be done beforehand. They did the shopping and packing; they did all necessary tests and other medical checks; they tailored and took for branding all new uniforms and have talked to their children, prior to taking them back to school.
If you have not done any of the above, especially things that require stepping out of your house, you are better off doing that right now, else you will suffer the effects of the last minute mad dash, alongside the rest of your ilk.
As for the things that you can do in the house, notably speaking to your child, do not be tempted to think that they are trifles. It is usually children who go to school without being prepared by their parents who get into diverse kinds of trouble.
They were not told to respect teachers and other people in authority; they were not told to use/ consume whatever their parents bought and packed for them sparingly, else they would run out of supplies too fast.
This is when some think about stealing other children’s stuff or, if they do not steal, go about begging, like paupers!
Talk to your children about obeying school rules. Rules, though sometimes tough, are basically meant to keep children in check and to protect them while they are at school. Children who escape from school to go buy all kinds of illegal stuff are exposed to all manner of dangers, including being lynched or poisoned (for those who buy and consume booze).
Children who use electricity illegally are exposed to the dangers of shocks and electrocution. Every rule or law the school set in place has something it is saving the child from, so as a responsible parent, you do not let your child return to school without going through the rules with them, and emphasising conformity with the law.
Parents with children in candidate classes (Primary Seven, Senior Four and Senior Six) should have begun preparing them for the end, starting with the imminent mock exams.
Of course there is the mix of the new curriculum, which makes it even more imperative to speak to the children. New modes of testing are likely to scare them; first, because we all dread venturing into the unknown, but also because these are determinant exams they are headed for. It is no trial and error.
On the day of the actual return to school, you are advised to set off early. Experience has shown that majority of parents do not use the morning hours. So, if you are done with the shopping, have an early morning light meal and pray with the child/ children.
Then you can set off before the road traffic gets nasty. What is even worse as far as traffic is concerned is the human traffic at the school – before the class teachers who receive the learners; in the bursar’s office as you clear financial matters and as you clear with the domestic office staff.
If you follow these guidelines, chances are you will be able to head to work after that, without necessarily having to take a day off just to take your children back to school.
The writer is a parenting counsellor and professional teacher
