See "Back to School" worries through your child's eyes!

Most parents want their kids to be successful in school. We send them out the door and watch them walk down the road or board the bus or hop out of our cars.

When they come home, we ask, "How was your day?" The kids give the typical kid answer, "Fine."

Not good enough, according to educators and child development experts. Communication involves more than a one-word answer.

 Parents need to sit down and really talk to their children "Fine" is not an answer.

Parents need to be aware of red flags for youngsters who may be having problems in school.

 Most parents really want their kids to be successful. "Eighty-five or 90 percent of parents do listen to their kids. If they are struggling, you want them to talk to you or someone who can help. That's what counselors, social workers and school administrators are for. Make an appointment and ask questions.

 Some of the warning signs for kids who are struggling in school include a child who is withdrawn, cries a lot, has stomachaches, doesn't want to go to school and doesn't want to leave a parent.

 We need to listen to them more. What may seem unimportant to us may be a real issue to our children. These are critical things we need to listen to. They're looking at it from a child's point of view."

 Even for kids who aren't struggling, parents can play an important role in their education. It's all in the messages adults send to their children. 

Parents and other adults need to remember the things that stress children may not seem stressful to adults. Things like handling the lunchroom, remembering locker combinations and not getting lost can be extremely stressful for young people.

 We are our children's first teachers. Every look, every comment we make. Our whole attitude towards school, towards teachers, towards working in school. Parents also need to read to kids. Take a walk around the neighborhood and talk to your child."

A suggestion to parents is to get a day planner for the youngsters in the sixth through the 12th-grade, to keep busy schedules straight. Families also should have a calendar at home to keep track of different schedules.

 Help can come in even more basic ways. Parents can help their children to be successful by doing things like feeding them nutritious meals and making sure they get enough sleep.

 Parents are modeling all the time. The very best way for a child to be successful is for their parents to be involved.

 Take the child to the swimming pool or get him involved in athletics. Parents need to show their children they care by spending time with them and perhaps most importantly, have fun with them. Show the children that you experience joy; all of these things will help to lead to success in school.

 Be positive about your child going to school. Set aside a time and place for homework and be available to help. Know what your child struggles with so you can talk to the teachers. Be there as much as possible, whenever there's a parent night or something your child is involved in, make it a point to support them."