Okay, we admit it: back to school season threw some of us for a loop this year. Yes, we are trained professionals. Yes, we give (good!) advice to other parents and families navigating this transition each year. And yes--sometimes it's still hard.
But we re-grouped! We are rolling with the punches! And we have a few reminders that may help your family iron out some of the wrinkles, too. None of our tips are rocket science, but even for highly trained professionals like ourselves (wink), an occasional review can really help.
Getting enough quality sleep is critical for parents and kids.
- Timing is Everything. Determine out an ideal bedtime for each of your children (it may not be the same for all of them!) and work backwards to figure out the rest of your schedule: dinner, homework for schoolage kids, baths, etc. Schedule your mornings similarly.
- Routines Are Important. Routines give children security and help parents stay on task and accomplish all the important things on our lengthy to-do lists. Once you determine a functional routine, stick with it. Give it a good two weeks to become a habit. Post reminders (checklists for backpacks and bedtime promote independence) and plan ahead. Pack bags, make lunches, and select clothes the night before to make mornings less stressful.
- Most Adults Need 6-8 Hours of Sleep Each Night. We're talking to you, yes you. Your sleep routine should be as sacred as the one you have for you kids. After all, you're the captain of the ship!
Eating well helps people be more efficient, focused, and manage stress.
- Breakfast is Essential. For people (young and old) who don't feel hungry in the morning, a small meal such as a yogurt or glass of milk with Carnation added plus a piece of fruit is a great start to the day. For those who like breakfast, make sure it is nutritious -- whole grains and protein last longer; sugar-y, processed foods like poptarts usually lead to a serious slump mid-morning.
- Snacks Make a Difference. Many kids are crabby at pick-up time because they've used up their fuel for the day and have to wait another hour or two until dinner. If you can't shift dinner earlier on weeknights, have a small snack ready: cheese, fruit, yogurt, or whole-grain crackers provide a nutritional boost that can prevent dinner-hour meltdowns.
A positive attitude is contagious:
- Model, model, model. Children are like family barometers: they pick up on our tiredness, frustration, and negativity. We need to model a coping, capable attitude for them if we want them to exhibit these traits. It's okay to acknowledge that things are hard, as long as we also emphasize good coping skills: don't sweat the small stuff, we can always start over, and we can make things better if we try are all positive, can-do messages for kids having trouble with transitions.
--Admin
