Researcher Mary Frase tracked students who dropped out of high school. One thing that nearly all of them had in common was poor attendance.

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to get your child to school on time every day. The start of a new school year is a time to help your child make this a habit.

Follow these tips:

• Enforce a regular bedtime for your child.
• Make sure your child is organized so she can get out the door with what she needs.
• Remember that everything you add to a schedule means something must be taken away. For example, if you add lots of before- and after-school activities, you take away time for your child to read, play, and study.

Some kids can handle a busier schedule. But if youth sports leave your child too tired to do homework or to get up in the morning, it’s time to cut back.

Copyright © Parent Institute