| Heading back to school can be a busy and stressful | | | | chores. |
| time of year for you and your child. Establishing | | | | Check the weather each evening and be aware of |
| routines is an important step in maintaining discipline and | | | | your child's activities to help plan clothing or supply |
| order in your household. By the time school starts up | | | | needs. |
| again in the fall our children have drifted away from | | | | Lay out a complete set of clothes for all your children, |
| their usual routines. Parents must remember that | | | | including socks and undergarments. Let your kids help |
| children need rules and guidance as well as love and | | | | pick out their clothes. Set shoes and coats out for the |
| attention. Leading by example and adhering to rules is | | | | next morning too. |
| the best positive reinforcement you can give a | | | | Pre-plan a quick, healthy breakfast and lunches to |
| child.Children thrive when there are rules and | | | | save valuable time. You or your children can set up |
| boundaries and by setting up rules we begin a desired | | | | the breakfast table, including dishes, glasses, silverware |
| pattern of behavior that will affect them for the rest of | | | | and non-perishables. Make juice the night before. Pack |
| their lives. If you get your children involved in the | | | | lunches the night before and freeze juice boxes if |
| planning process as well as the chores your child will | | | | necessary to help keep lunches cold. Including an |
| look forward to their participation and every school | | | | occassional fun note or sticker in each lunch box is a |
| day will be less stressful for you all. In my experience, | | | | nice surprise for your child. |
| I've found the following tips to be the most useful in our | | | | Have a specific "Homework Time" and be available |
| family during the school year: | | | | for your child to ask questions if they need help. Ask |
| Set a bed time schedule and stick to it. For example, | | | | about homework daily and review it before bedtime to |
| bath at 7PM, reading at 7:30PM, lights out at 8PM. This | | | | ensure it's done. Be sure your child places all |
| not only gives parents some time to wind down but | | | | assignments, books and backpacks in their designated |
| you will have a child who is less crabby and more | | | | boxes before bedtime so in the morning they can |
| attentive at school. The best perk is your child will | | | | "grab & go".Reinforce this behavior with an end of the |
| expect it once it becomes routine and fall asleep | | | | week ice cream treat or something similar. |
| almost on cue. | | | | Run errands after work or as soon as possible to |
| Establish a "School Center" where all school work or | | | | keep your "to do" list under control. Plan your errands |
| activity boards are posted. Set-up boxes or crates for | | | | so you spend as little time as possible driving. Plan or |
| each child to place their backpack or books into to | | | | map out your route if needed. |
| keep organized. Let your children choose the location | | | | Keep keys in a designated spot and keep gas in your |
| or colors and styles of boxes. | | | | car. Fill up the gas tank the night before to avoid |
| Make and review lists of things to do or items to | | | | unnecessary stops in the morning. You or the kids |
| follow up on. Use a planner or calendar. List chores so | | | | don't want to be late for school. |
| your children know exactly what they need to | | | | Most of all, enjoy your children and remember to keep |
| accomplish each day. Let you children help plan their | | | | smiling. |