The onset of the new academic year may be an exciting time for many, but for some parents, it’s also a challenging season. From dealing with bullies to weathering sicknesses in a post-pandemic world, there are a number of concerns that come with navigating the school-age era.
The good news? You don’t have to deal with all of them all alone. Here, we’ve handpicked some of the most relatable school-related worries raised in the SuperMoms Club and chose some of the top advice, too—from fellow SuperMoms, no less!
*SuperMom posts have been edited for brevity and clarity. Names and photos have been omitted to protect privacy.
SuperMom Woe One: Sickly Kids
Top advice:
SuperMom K says:
“Hi Mi, bumababa talaga ang resistensya ng kids kapag kulang sa tulog at kain. Dapat momshie maka-complete siya ng tulog niya. Sa 7 yrs old at least 10 hrs of sleep.Tapos ang pagkain dapat kumpleto rin ang go-grow-glow foods. Go foods ay yung kanin, tinapay, kamote.Grow foods naman ay itlog, gatas, isda, manok. At ang Glow foods ay prutas at gulay. Sapat na pagkain, tulog at dagdagan mo pa ng vitamin C with Zinc para makatulong palakasin ang resistensya laban sa mga virus.”
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SuperMom Woe Two: School Anxiety
Top advice:
SuperMom J says:
“Hi Mi, Try mo po na iba ang maghatid sa kanya sa school instead na ikaw, baka sayo siya may separation anxiety. Ganyan kasi anak ko 'pag daddy niya naghahatid okay naman siya pero kapag ako mas matagal bago siya mag let go at magpaiwan sa school. Ngayong Grade 1 na siya, sa 1st day nalang ako naghahatid para makita lang new classroom and classmates. He is having a hard time letting me go daw kasi 'pag ako ang naghahatid sa kanya.”
SuperMom M says:
“Naku, Mi, huwag mong sukuan. Ganiyan po talaga ang mga bata sa una. I remember yung anak ko noon, every day sinasabi niya na ayaw niya pumasok. Pero every day ko din siya kinakausap at nilalambing. Ipinapaliwanag ko na ang mga bata dapat pumapasok sa school. Magbigay ka ng examples ng mga bata diyan sa inyo. Kakakwento ko sa kanya ng mga masayang ginagawa sa school, nawala din ang takot niya. Ngayon lagi na siya nagtatanong kung may pasok ba kahit Saturday or Sunday na.”
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School Woe Three: Bullying
Top advice:
SuperMom J says:
“Never ever i-deadma, Mommy, if nag-coconfide ang anak mo sa’yo. Baka next time hindi na po siya magsabi. Una po, kausapin mo po ang anak mo about it. Reassure her na andiyan ka for her at itatama mo yung maling pinagdadaanan niya—para hindi din po siya panghinaan ng loob dahil na-deadma siya ni Teacher. Then go to the school at kausapin si Teacher. Kahit ganoon ang ginawa niya, kausapin mo pa din po nicely. At kapag wala pa din siyang action, request a meeting with the parents po.”
School Woe Four: Language Barrier
Top advice:
SuperMom Q says:
“Kailangan po talaga natin i-paintindi sa bata na kailangan niya mag-adjust na matuto ng Tagalog. Hindi naman siguro sa ayaw ng ibang bata na makipag-friends sa kanya; yun nga lang hindi rin naman lahat ng bata maalam sa English communication. Kaya kailangan niya rin kamo magsalita ng Tagalog. That way, makaka-relate din mga classmate niya sa kanya.”
School Woe Five: Teacher Problems
Top advice:
SuperMom S says:
“Hi, po! To address book errors and a teacher’s grammar issues, start by composing a polite email or letter emphasizing specific book errors and requesting corrections. It’s important to note that book errors are typically the responsibility of the book publisher. Regarding the teacher’s grammar, offer constructive feedback and kindly request improvement. If the problem persists, consider respectfully taking the matter to the subject coordinator or school principal for resolution.
These sample messages might help:
‘I hope this message finds you well. I’ve noticed some typographical errors in our textbooks, which I believe are the responsibility of the book publisher. Additionally, I’ve observed a few grammar issues in class. Would it be possible to address these concerns? Your guidance is highly appreciated.’
‘Magandang araw po. Nakapansin po ako ng ilang mga pagkakamali sa mga libro natin na sa aking palagay ay nasa pangangalaga ng publisher ng libro. Gayundin, napuna ko ang ilang mga isyu sa grammar sa klase. Maari po bang ito’y mabigyan ng pansin? Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong gabay.’
Relate ka ba sa mga ‘to? Don’t forget to join the SuperMoms Facebook community, a safe space for moms to connect and virtually come together to support and uplift each other.
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