| When your child comes home and announces that | | | | not matter what the time constraints. This is the time |
| there is a science project due the next day, problems | | | | to teach some time management skills and lay out a |
| come bursting out of the woodwork. All the experts | | | | plan. Create a schedule with the least amount of time |
| tell you that kids should suffer consequences, but at | | | | you think it will take to gather supplies, read whatever |
| the same time you want your child to do well in school. | | | | directions or research needs done, do the experiment, |
| Sometimes it is the child's fault for not telling you ahead | | | | and get it written up neatly. Clearly state which things |
| of time and sometimes assignments like that are give | | | | you can help with and which the child must do himself. |
| with little notice. Either way, parents dealing with the | | | | The be the encourager and guide. |
| sudden need to come with one day science fair | | | | The next day is the time to sit the child down and |
| projects have plenty of problems to balance. | | | | analyze how one day science projects cause |
| The main problem of course is balancing the desire | | | | problems for a household. Then is the time to calmly |
| you have for your child to do well in school and the | | | | discuss how they got themselves into that situation |
| anger you feel for the last minute notice. You want | | | | and how to avoid this problem the next time. Point out |
| your offspring to feel good about doing things herself, | | | | how much better the project would have been if you |
| but how in the world can you let her flounder with such | | | | had several days to do it. Be sure to include your role. |
| a short time span? I have yet to meet a parent who | | | | Sometimes parents get busy and do not pay close |
| has not had to deal with this issue, whether it is that | | | | enough attention to the notices that come home, or if |
| she needs three dozen cupcakes, a pair of black | | | | the miss back to school night, they do not hear about |
| pants and black socks, poster board or great science | | | | upcoming projects. |
| projects, no matter, we all run into this nightmare on | | | | When all is said and done, everyone can then agree |
| more than one occasion. Parents need to let their child | | | | that one day science fair projects are something no |
| know you are annoyed or angry, but then put it aside | | | | one wants to experience again. Hopefully everyone will |
| and create an emotionally neutral atmosphere. | | | | be on their toes at least for awhile and pay more |
| The next problem is how to get a project done, that | | | | attention to notices and assignment, getting things |
| the child does himself and not one he stands and | | | | written down and just overall better communication. |
| watches you do. Just to get it done is a bad lesson, | | | | |