If you’re like most parents with school children at home, then you most probably loosened the reins a little to allow some leeway into your children’s usually strict routines.
If so, then you will also know about that dreaded stage at the beginning of every school year (unless your child is just starting school, for the first time of course) when, as if learning to breathe again, your child/children must seemingly learn the basics of those same routines for the first few weeks in September both at home and at school.
Well, here are some tips that might just help you champion through that stage and perhaps even eliminate the entire readjustment period that holds the power to drive even the most patient child, parent and teacher insane.
With the reopening of school just one week away, it’s about that time to give the children a little reminder of what life is like when they’re at school so that by the time it does reopen, the days are just that bit easier for everyone
1. Beat those bedtime blues:
In many cases, the usual bedtimes of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. were extended by one hour…or in some cases, bedtime was eliminated altogether. Friends, you need to go back to the old way starting…NOW! Reinstituting the bedtime hours from now will get their bodies adjusted to the early to bed and early to rise routine come September 7 so unfortunately, whilst their extended hour dates with the television, video game, book or toys will be no more for some time, they’ll thank you later when they are not faced with that groggy and sluggish feeling that they are sure to get if the routine reinstitution is not asserted beforehand.
Oh, and I almost forgot to add this…no matter how old and “grown up” they think they are, a cuddle, a kiss on the forehead, a warm and lingering hug, an “I love you” and just that general feeling to make them know that they are loved to the moon and back is just like a cherry on the cake and sure to make them fall asleep feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
2. Farewell to fast foods, overeating and excess snacking:
Another aspect of school holiday that one is sure to notice is the amount of weight gained by the young ones and this is when the realisation sets in and we notice just how bad these children’s eating habits can be. Now we the parents/guardians play a massive role in this as again, we allow the children some leeway and they take full advantage. It also doesn’t help that the majority of us parents/guardians have full time jobs and unless you bare an “S” on your chest, it is rather difficult to cook up healthy meals throughout the days, every day to cater for the needs of that hungry growing bunch. So as a result, we allow the pizzas for dinner and toaster strudels for breakfast and in some cases, KFC, Churches, Regal or Dominos for lunch.
Of course, this too needs to stop. A child’s eating routine can set off a chain reaction that would not only contribute to good health but would lead to healthy sleeping patterns and then better focus at school. Try swapping the night time pizzas and nuggets for something like toast with peanut butter or egg, turkey with a small potato or even pasta with real grated cheese especially Swiss…this combination of amino acids coupled with healthy carbohydrates act like the chemical called Tryptophan that makes you nod off quicker.
Now onto the most important meal of the day…breakfast. You have to remember that this is the vital fuel that your children need to kick start their day as they depend on it for energy and brain power among other needs, to survive the first few hours of the school day before lunch time. So tell the little ones that skipping brekky is not an option (and yes, at times you will be met with the dreaded moaning and whining but don’t give up). Some options you can try range from pancakes, French toast or waffles, hot or cold cereal including oatmeal, cornmeal and cream of wheat to small and simple options like yogurts and smoothies. If the protests are strong, at least see to it that they have either a warm drink of cocoa or a decent glass of juice…preferably one packed with vitamins like orange juice…local or from concentrate.
I mentioned lunch a little while ago, This does not have to be as daunting as it might sound. Keep it simple yet nutritious and interesting…You know your child/children, what they eat and how much they eat so work with or if needs be, around them to ensure that they are getting the right amount of nutrition that they need. Aim to balance their meals with the right variations of proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, salt, fats etc. Also, see to it that water is included. I know that they may favour juice and that is okay as long as it’s natural and in moderation. Parents, SAY NO TO SODAS!
Try to remember the feeding routine as an upside down triangle…breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a pauper but with that said, a little snacking is dare I say it, a must. We all know how grumpy the little ones can get on an empty or semi-empty stomach so pack a snack or two BUT keep it healthy, say in the range of fruits, cereal pouches, flapjacks, popcorn, trail mix…you get the picture.
3. Jump start that brain
One of the biggest headaches that teachers have at the beginning of every school year is the number of children who come in acting like their first day back is their first day of schooling EVER. It’s like the children forgot everything they’ve ever learnt and have returned to school as blank slates…this is extremely frustrating as one can imagine because instead of jumping into the planned schedule and routines, teachers find themselves spending the first few weeks moving backwards and reminding children of the basics.
Your best bet for your child to NOT be part of this problem is to swap the remotes, tablets, mobile phones and gossip magazines for past school books. Get their minds back on that track from TODAY, Saturday. You can even go that extra and very important mile by jumping in to help them…play a game of school where you are the lovable but strict teacher…give them tasks and tests, stars and stickers…Go the nine yards. You have to play your role, parents, so don’t fall short now. They will protest and they will tug at the heart strings, making you feel like the evil villain but don’t fall for it. Be firm, be stern and let them know that the holidays are coming to a rapid end…believe it or not, it really is for their own good.
4. Get them used to ironing. (This applies to the older children)
This is a great little exercise that will become a very beneficial habit in their future. We need to slowly start giving our little ones chores so that they can have an idea, no matter how small that idea may be, of what it means to have responsibilities. When I refer to the ironing, I was referring specifically to their school uniforms, and the reopening of school is the best time to get them started. Get them to iron every single one of their new uniforms, place them on hangers and put them away in preparation for their first school week. Make this practice turn into a habit and this will be one less stress for both parents and children during the week.
5. Take your child/children to get their health and teeth checked
It is a no brainer that our children’s health is a top priority so why not use the last few days that they’re at home to take them for a complete health check from head to foot? Instead of waiting for the last second or having to go through the hassle of pulling them out of class to do this, why not do it now? Getting their little mouths checked out is equally as important because you will want to catch that sneaky cavity etc and get it sorted before you get that dreaded call from your child’s school whilst you’re at work.
That’s all for now but you can look forward to more tips in the future. As for this topic, remember, school reopens on the Monday after next. September 7, Yes, that’s just around the corner, so be sure that the day doesn’t catch you by surprise. Be sure to get all that you need ready so that you and your little ones can ease smoothly into the new school year.