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Jump Starting the School Year
Tips for a Smooth Transition
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
According to Pieper, sticking with a schedule is crucial for children doing numerous activities and helps to avoid any unneeded stress or anxiety about "getting it all done." However, there may come a time when the schedule may need to be reexamined and perhaps, even changed.
"Kids are active by nature," says Pieper. "They want to take part in things that are fun, things that their friends do and things that they know will make their parents happy. But to keep track of all these activities – not to mention doing them – can be exhausting for parent and child. Families need to make a schedule and stick to it. Buy a calendar and write on it any and all events on the appropriate date so the entire family knows what to expect. Include practices, games, recitals, conferences, rehearsals, etc., and then stand back with your child and take a look at what you have. Ask your child, 'Is there going to be time for you to do your chores and homework?' 'Will you have time to keep in touch with your friend and your family?' If the child can actually see what their schedule will look like, they may realize that they need to think about all the things they want to do and determine what is most important to them."
Going hand-in-hand with school is the threat of peer pressure. But talking to your child about peer pressure is not an easy thing to do. There are many parents who believe that if they bring up the subjects of drugs, alcohol, sex, etc., that this will only make the child more curious, leading them right into the behavior.
"The last thing I want to do is to make my child wonder about drugs or alcohol," says Mary Williams, a stay-at-home-mom from Austin, Texas. "Until they are teenagers, I feel that my kids really don't know too much and I don't want to offer them more information than they already have. If they come to me, I'll answer whatever questions they have, but I don't like the idea of initiating the conversation and giving them ideas."
