Dads Help Kids in School
September 30, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Parent's Advice
By Apples 4 the Teacher
Sept. 30, 2009
“My dad can beat up your dad!” Oh yeah? “Well my dad is cooler than your dad!”
One thing about most kids, they’re loyal to their dads. It doesn’t matter how much he’s working or how he may not be able to throw a ball or ride bikes because he’s working on Mom’s honey-do list, most children think their dad is pretty wonderful.
Often the room parents and those parents who are available to help out at school are the moms. Many dads would love to help out at school if their schedules were a little more flexible. Imagine the excitement on your child’s face if Dear old Dad was one of the chaperones on the next field trip.
Dads may not have the flexibility that the work-at-home-moms do to help out at school, but most dads I know are entitled to a lunch each day as well as some vacation days each year.
If logistics permit it, dads should schedule their lunch break at the school a couple times a month. They could help out in the school store, in the classroom or media center. Your child will be proud as a peacock!
A sad reality is that there are more and more single parent households. Some children don’t see their dad nearly as often as they would like. I remember one field trip to an apple orchard. Dad rearranged his schedule so he could attend and help rally the children. While sitting on the hay ride you would have thought he was a local celebrity. Kids were fighting over who could sit next to “The Dad”.
It’s good for children to see dads participate with school activities. Dads are cool when they help out at school. Don’t negate the possibility helping just because dad works when school is in session. Maintenance man Mr. Bob would love a hand setting up for the school carnival. Do you realize how many tables and stations need to be set up?
The next time you overhear a group of children trying to one-up each other where their dads are concerned, perhaps you’ll hear one bragging, “Oh yeah? Well MY dad helps out at school!” Do you know any cool dads?
Source: Apples 4 The Teacher
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com