Getting through the School Daze

It's back to school time again. Does the thought of having to get everyone organized and out the door make you want to send for boarding school brochures? Here are a few tips to help get through that back to school daze.

Making Merry Mornings:

The biggest cause of whining and tantrums in the morning is a sleepy child trying to make a decision. Eliminate the choices along with the grumpiness.

  • Lay out clothes the night before. This simple action can prevent wasting time looking for a missing shoe or favorite pants that are still in the dryer.

  • Pack a lunch or put out lunch money the night before.

  • If family members share a bathroom in the morning, work out a schedule and have them stick to it.

  • A good night's sleep is essential to reducing some of the morning moodiness. Keep a regular bedtime ? both parents and children.

Staying Cool At School:

New situations can make children anxious and uncomfortable. Knowing what to expect the first day can ease some of the anxiety.

  • If the child is going to a new school, attend the orientation session or arrange for a tour of the school. Navigating around a new place can be scary for a child.

  • Suggest to the youngster to call friends to find out if they share any classes. What a comfort to have a friend to sit next to in class or in the cafeteria.

  • Buy only 1-2 new outfits before schools starts. Usually it is still warm when school starts so children can wear last spring's clothes, plus this gives the child time to see what is "in" this year before buying.

Effortless Evenings:

Homework, clubs, sports?Organization is key to keeping track or what's happening and when.

  • Create a special spot for homework. Setting one location for studying can help with concentration as well as minimize the chance of a book being misplaced.

  • Have a system for the student to keep track of all assignments and upcoming tests. This system can be as simple as a small notebook where homework for all classes is written down.

  • Start a family calendar to keep track of PTA meetings, school parties, extracurricular activities, etc.

  • A daily family ritual can give the child (and parents) something to look forward to. Ideas are a card game after dinner, a walk in the park, or a crafts project.

About The Author

Written by Megan Corwin, Personal Coach. Visit www.megancorwin.com or email megan@megancorwin.com to schedule your complimentary 30-minute coaching session and to find out how a personal coach can help you have more time and energy for the things you enjoy.

In The News:


Divorce kids get cash boost
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 22 hours ago
Professor Matt Sanders, who heads the Triple-P Parenting Program at the University of Queensland, said he hoped the additional funding would be extended to ...
$17m to ease strain of family break-ups Sydney Morning Herald
$17m boost for kids of divorce Northern Territory
all 45 news articles

MSNBC

Look at Sarah Palin's record, not her parenting
The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com, MI - 9 hours ago
By Nancy Crawley As Sarah Palin makes the case for being the next vice president, there is one question she should not have to answer: What about the kids? ...
Video: Joe Biden On Palin's Speech CBS
Palin coverage is insulting to mothers Paradise Post
all 1,250 news articles

Rutter: In parenting policies, the US gets a 'C'
Milford Daily News,  USA - 11 hours ago
But, when it comes to the amount of time parents are entitled to take and the provision of subsidies that make it affordable for workers to take the time to ...

Twin Falls Times-News

Parenting in 'grand' style
LocalNews8.com, ID - 15 hours ago
Then they became more like little Tristn's parents. The couple got legal guardianship of Tristn Griffis after their son divorced the boy's mother, ...
Parenting in 'grand' style Twin Falls Times-News
all 4 news articles

Wayne Bennett backs positive parenting push
Courier Mail, Australia - 1 hour ago
By Melanie Christiansen PARENTS should watch what they do and even how they speak to others in front of their children, Broncos rugby league coach Wayne ...
Govt supports child protection campaign Sky News Australia
all 2 news articles

E! Online

Ignore parenting tips from Lynne Spears
Arizona Republic, AZ - Sep 5, 2008
by Suzanne Condie Lambert - Sept. 6, 2008 12:00 AM In the upcoming tell-all - Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World - Mama ...
Lynne Spears Book Sure to Create a Storm VIP Breakdown
Don’t Worry Sarah Palin, Jamie Lynn Spears Feels Your Pain hecklerspray
Lynne Spears Orders $60 Worth Of Baby Gift For Sarah Palin's ... AHN
Examiner.com - New Republicall 184 news articles

Parenting classes set for Tuesday
Pittsburg Morning Sun, KS - 10 hours ago
Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center will host the next session of Parenting 101 at 7 pm Tuesday in dePaul Hall. Parenting 101 is a free class that helps new ...

Parenting taking center stage at seminar
Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX - 13 hours ago
By Jessica Sanders An upcoming seminar, “Parenting is Heart Work,” doesn’t offer a cure-all for parenting problems, but does provide a unique approach ...

Obama Campaign National Finance Committee Member Criticizes ...
ABC News - Sep 5, 2008
Gutman said the issue wasn't one of gender but one of parenting – regardless of the gender of the parent. "This has nothing to do with gender, whether Todd ...

Parenting takes toll on teens
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 6 hours ago
"And it's crazy to know somebody depends on you the way that you depend on your parent." Spears, the Academy Award-nominated film "Juno," the pregnant teen ...
parenting - Google News

A Dangerous Environment

The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More

Raise Awesome Kids! This 4-Point Plan Gets Results

Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More

Kids And Chores - Make It Easy On Yourself!

My neighbours' kid impressed me the other day.I was busy... Read More

Home And School Education - Your Kids Can Benefit From Both!

Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More

Develop Your Childs Genius: Training Your Child for Success

This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More

How to Give Your Child Encyclopedic Knowledge?

When you talk about multiply your child's intelligence, you can't... Read More

Meeting The True Needs of Children Diagnosed As ADHD

How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More

From Birth to Teen, Spirituality in Children

Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More

Whine Oh Whine Am I The Only One?

I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More

Working Moms: Too Busy for Your Children?

17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More

Ready, Aim, Achieve! - Become An On-purpose Family Through Goal Setting

Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More

The Ten Most Common Poisons Among Kids

For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More

MORAL ARMORS Irrational Parenting, Part I

"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think... Read More

The Recipe For The Making Of A Self-Assured Child: One Part Communication, Two Parts Love

Each child carries a unique picture of the self, shaped... Read More

Books Around the House Make A Difference in Literacy Rates

We need a grass roots campaign targeted towards parents to... Read More

Public Schools --- Why On Earth Do We Need Them?

From the time the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in... Read More

The Reticular Activating System, and its Role in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More

Eye-Opening Questions for Working Parents to Ask

I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More

A Man and His Baby

When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow... Read More

Ten Reasons to Tell your Kids Stories

In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More

Back to School Success Tips

Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More

Wholism and Materialism

Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More

10 Things You Can Do To Help A Shy Child

There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More

Being A Mum - It?s About Them And Not About You!

So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More

Childrens Safety in Public Places - 10 Useful Tips

My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More