Heading back to school can be tough on both children and parents. Here are some tips to help manage the stress.

Going to school means getting into new routines with no more late nights or late mornings.

• Find a set bed-time that lets your kids feel well-rested in the morning

• Practice the back to school routine a few times before the first day (e.g., go to bed, get up, dress, eat breakfast, brush teeth, and be out the door by 8am).

• Have your child help prepare what you can the night before (pick out clothes, pack healthy lunch your child likes, pack school bag, etc).

• Talk to your child’s school and find out what the routines are. Help your child to understand what is expected – practice new or difficult skills at home before school starts.

Focus on the Positives

Going back to school is easier for everyone if a child has something to look forward to.

• Purchasing school supplies or clothes with your child is a good way to help your son or daughter become more enthusiastic about starting a new school year.

• Check with your school to find out what your child will need this year.

• Try to help your child get excited about school in other ways (e.g., see friends they haven’t seen all summer, tell a favourite teacher about their summer vacation).

• Talk to your child about the fun activities he or she will get to do and the new friends they will make.

New People and Situations

The new school year brings a new classroom setting, with a different teacher and new classmates. When kids know what to expect things are less scary for them.

• Introducing your child to one or more of his or her classmates ahead of time will ensure making friends is a little easier and less scary (your school may help you connect to other classmates)

• Visit the school and the teacher with your child. Ask the teacher to explain the school day to your child, and if possible ask to be shown around the classroom.

• Give your child some ice-breakers that can be shared such as a healthy snack or activity (e.g., marbles or sidewalk chalk if your school allows them).

• Find out if your child’s school has a buddy or mentor system.

Performance Anxiety and Other Worries Kids can have real worries about starting school. Attending school may be the first time your child experiences clear pressure to do well.

• Respond to signs of anxiety by talking to your child about school concerns

• Make time to listen when kids want to talk - review your child’s worries one at a time and help them problem solve so they don’t become overwhelmed

• Try not to add to your child’s pressures unnecessarily

• Help your child to understand that no one is good at everything – both parents and kids do better at some things than others.

• Be involved with school related activities or events - praise your child for positive efforts even if you don’t see the results yet.

Gradual Entry

This is a method parents often use when getting children used to a new day care but it can also work with children who are extremely fearful of school. You will need to talk about this idea with your child’s teacher to see if your school can accommodate this approach.

• Examples of gradual entry include staying with your child for part or all of the first day or first few days. Then you gradually stay at school with your child a shorter and shorter amount of time.

• For some kids gradual entry may only take one or two days. For others it may take a couple of weeks. Let your child be the guide, as every child is different.

• Some children are happiest if mom or dad always stays while they hang up their jacket and put their bag away before leaving for the day.

• Tell your child in advance how long you will stay and then stick to your plan.

Bullying

Bullying at school is a serious problem and can, in extreme cases, result in injury or even death. If you suspect that your child is being bullied…

• Reassure your child that you and the teacher will support him or her.

• Talk to the teacher or person in charge.

• Follow up on any action taken and remain involved in the decision making process. Check in often with your son or daughter about how things are going.

• Keep in mind children may be reluctant to talk due to fear of embarrassment or further harm.

Sometimes problems with going back to school don’t go away on their own and may reflect a health problem. Talk to your family physician or health professional about any problems – especially if they are severe or do not resolve on their own after the first few weeks back.

Things are not looking great for this school year in our public school system.  There will be larger class sizes, fewer teachers and fewer offerings when it comes to P.E., art, music, counseling, etc.

Orange County, CA is trying its best to deal with the loss of millions of dollars in state funding because of the crisis in the state budget.

Teachers will be finding themselves starting school with fewer resources and so they all deserve our help with services and donated supplies to help them serve our children best.

There’s a lot of change that happens as you go back to school.  It’s easy to get overwhelmed and spazzed out with all the new demands.  Stress is not pretty though.  Stress can cause headaches, mood swings, anxiety, stomach pains, insomnia, and even make you break out.  Here are some pointers on how to reduce the feelings and effects of stress as you’re going back to school.

Nix Procrastination:  It sounds novel, but not waiting till the last minute to do something will dramatically relieve the stress of critical deadlines!

Eat Well:  You’ve heard it a thousand times before.  Eating a healthy, well balanced diet will keep you resilient against the tolls of stress.  So do yourself a favor and eat something green for a change.  And most of all, don’t forget the cure-all of health; drink plenty of water!

Be Active:  You don’t have to subject yourself to rigorous training.  There are easy ways to be active.  Just a quick walk around your neighborhood will help clear your head, get some endorphins pumping, and refresh and energize you.

Get a Hobby:  Join a table tennis team.  Learn to play the accordion.  Knit a sweater.  Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it.  Hobbies are the perfect miniature getaways from the stresses of life.

Just Breathe:  Sometimes it helps to just take a break from a stressful situation, and take a few seconds to breathe deeply.  Try stretching as well.  These are proven relaxation methods that will help you loosen up when under duress.

Some words of wisdom from Saddleback College Graphics teacher Karen Taylor (one of the best teachers ever!)…

Question:  Does kissing up to the teachers really work?

KT:  No.  But being nice does.  Nice to me (of course) and nice to your classmates.  Be nice.  Be respectful.  Listen.

Question:  What is your biggest pet peeve as a teacher?

KT:  For m, some of the worst things are rudeness (see above) and not taking responsibility for either your mistakes or your actions.  Everybody messes up sometimes, own up to it and move on.  Also treating assignments as if they were races - believe me, the first to finish is never the winner.  Do the work the best you can do it.

Question:  Best way to win brownie points with a teacher?

KT:  Did I mention being nice?

Many parents are wondering how to make healthy lunches for their children this year and keep them affordable.  Here are some things parents and analysts recommend:

• Package your own bags or snacks in baggies or reusable plastic containers rather than buying prepackaged ones.
• Take a reusable water bottle instead of a drink like a juice box.  Fill it with water, milk or juice.
• Consider buying more hot lunches, which sometimes cost little more than a dollar.
• Shop around for sales and buy in large quantities when you can.  Freeze things until you need them.
• Think about lunches when you’re making dinners, and set some aside so you have enough for the next day.  That will make sure your family doesn’t eat it up.
• Take a food inventory so you know what you have and can plan around that.  And that will cut down on trips to the store–which could add up to big savings.
• Talk to your kids to see what they really want.  If they’re not going to eat it, don’t give it to them.
• Involve children in the lunch-making process.  Analysts say if kids take part in packing their lunches, they will be more apt to eat them.