I want my kids to do well in school, but we live in a rough neighborhood and it's all we can do to get by?

Question

I really want my kids to do well in school, but we live in a pretty bad ghetto where jobs are scarce, and because of some bad choices I made in the past, getting a high-paying (or even a well paying) job is out of the question.

As a father, how can I help my kids rise above their circumstances when I'm mostly just trying to help them survive?

Answer 1

They can still get good grades. Just make sure the homework gets done, and participate by going to the parent-teacher meetings and taking every opportunity to be there. Talk to your kids every day and cook them a sit-down dinner every night. Don't send them out to play alone.

You have a computer and internet, so you must have some resources.
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Answer 2

Emphasize Education.............

Make school the top priority in your house. Make sure the kids spend time on their homework and studies. Set a standard that ONLY good grades are allowed.

Once your kids start doing well with their grades, talk to the school about an honors program. In lots of "rough" schools, they DO have smart kids and they are often in specialized classes. See if your kids apply for those. Also, if you are in a city, they have magnet schools which are designed for those students who really DO take school seriously and get good grades. They often group all the other expectational students from city schools into a magnet school....similar to those specialized classes.

Also, try merit based scholarships at private schools or academies.

Also, make COLLEGE mandatory. Even though money is tight, your kids can still go to college. Honestly, the best way out of this situation, in the long run, is for them to get a college degree.

Answer 3

Teach your children that first and foremost they are not limited by their surroundings they are only limited by themselves. Sadly children who live in lower income areas are not afforded the same as children in higher income areas. Stress to them that school is their ticket out and monitor who their friends are CLOSELY, just because you are a good concerned parent does not mean their friends parents share the same concern. Sadly some people in the ghetto will try to keep the ones who are doing good down because they can't get up themselves. Stay tough and as much as this might hurt use your life as an example of what can happen and tell them that you want better for them. Then show them that people can come out of poverty to become very very powerful people, use Oprah Winfery as an example, she came from extreme poverty to become one of the richest women in the world. Good luck.

Answer 4

Raise them with good ethics, morals, values.
Show them the importance of studying hard.
Involve them in activites.
Once they go off to college they will likely move and live elsewhere anyway, not come back and live at home. But what you instilled in them will stick no matter where they are!

Answer 5

Encourage them to read. Take them to the library and get library cards for them. Take them to museums and expose them to fine art and history. Watch educational TV shows and discuss them with your kids. Let them know that you have high expectations for them and that they can be whatever they want to be if they get an education and work hard. Point out people who have made it: Doctors, teachers, etc.
Many private and parochial schools offer scholarships to needy children. Investigate that possibility.

Answer 6

Raise them with love first of all. Teach them that they are equal to all people, they are not stuck in the circumstances they are currently in. Be honest about your past mistakes when they are old enough to understand, and tell them they can do anything they want. Expect them to be good people and students. With love and respect you can do it!