I am helping my child to maintain balance between school and work

If your child experiences an imbalance, his/her academic success will be in danger. As a parent, you can positively influence and help him/her make the right décisions.

You can help your child to balance his/her studies and work, by keeping yourself informed about:

• the number of hours worked (ideally 10-15 hours, max 20 hours)
• the burden of school work
• your child’s interest and level of motivation towards school
• the marks received at school
• the exam periods and end of session
• the employer’s practices with regard to school-work balance
• the signs of stress or fatigue
• how your child manages his/her budget

Many youngsters increase their work hours to buy what they want. Guide your child in regard to questioning his/her choices and help him/her maintain a balance between studies and work.

Do i really need it?

Calculate with your child how many hours of work represent the purchase of a meal at a restaurant or a cell phone plan. He/she will be surprised!

Does your child’s time management benefit his/her school-work balance? Here is a tool (in french only) to obtain an overview of your child’s week. To do so, he/she must simply select his/her current situation.

Is your child’s job interfering with their studies?

Talk to them about it. Get informed.

Here are some resources for finding help:

• Contact the school-work balance agent responsible for your MRC or for your area. He will be able to give you time management tools and accompany you in your needs.
• Contact the principal of your youth’s school.
• Visit the ParentEstrie.com website (in French only). You will find articles and resources to help your child balance school and work.