| 1. Get your child back on a normal schedule about a | | | | the new year will bring. Sometimes children might not |
| week before school starts. It's natural to let things slide | | | | speak directly about how they are feeling, but you |
| a bit during vacation-heck, that's part of the fun. But if | | | | might notice your child becomes more hyper, moody, |
| you want your child to be functional during the first few | | | | or quiet as the first school day approaches. |
| days back, then you'll need to make sure that they go | | | | Try and find a peaceful venue alone with your child, |
| to sleep on time, and wake up on time. | | | | and try and bring up the subject.Your child may or may |
| In order to do this as painlessly as possible, try pushing | | | | not admit to having worries. That's okay; you can still |
| back your child's bedtime to about 15 minutes earlier, | | | | make this a "bonding moment" by sharing some of |
| every evening for one week. By the second day you | | | | your best or worst first day of school experiences. |
| can also start pushing back morning wake-ups by | | | | 4. Talk to your child about what your expectations are |
| about the same amount of time. Your child will be | | | | for the year. You probably remember getting this talk |
| more rested and you will feel less stressed, (hopefully) | | | | from your parents - uggh! But there are ways to |
| not having to wake up exhausted kids. | | | | present this that are positive, hopeful, and not preachy. |
| 2. Buy everything they need BEFORE school starts. | | | | Why not focus first on specific goals that you know |
| Okay, this one seems obvious, but how many of you | | | | your child wants to work on? For example, if this is the |
| have pushed off getting an item from the school | | | | year your daughter gets to try out for the soccer |
| supply list, either because they didn't have time to buy | | | | team, you can show your support and interest in this |
| it, thought it wasn't so important, or had no clue what | | | | new step. At the same time, you can bring up your |
| the teacher really wanted? | | | | expectation that she maintain good grades, and |
| Not only is this stressful to children, but unfortunately | | | | continue to help out at home. |
| some teachers get really annoyed at your child | | | | 5. Send something small but special with them for the |
| because they are not prepared. Do yourself and your | | | | first day. In this case, smaller is better. A short note on |
| child, do whatever it takes, but get everything your | | | | a napkin in his lunchbox, a cute drawing on a stick-um |
| child needs, and put it away until school starts. Your | | | | on the first page of one of her notebooks; these are |
| child and his teacher will thank you for it. | | | | easy to do, and a prime example of actions speaking |
| 3. Talk to your child about what the new year will be | | | | louder than words. |
| like. Every child has concerns and fears about what | | | | |