When that alarm goes off in the morning busy parents hit the
ground running. Is everyone awake? Out of bed? Where are your glasses? Did you
brush your teeth? Why do you only have one shoe?
With all there is to remember between the alarm and the
first one out the door every morning, it’s no wonder many of us feel completely
frazzled before the 8:00 AM bell rings!
1.
Get organized
The morning commute to school was the last place I wanted to
hear about permission slips, lunch money, or treats that were supposed to be
sent to school THAT DAY, yet it was a recurrent theme until I realized
lecturing my children on the merits of being responsible and organized was
worthless unless I demonstrated those skills myself. No more last minute toast
in the car on the way to school or digging through laundry piles to find
something to wear. I had to commit to getting myself organized from the time I
came home at the end of the day until we left the house the next morning. Once we started, I discovered organization
takes very little time compared to the time suck that accompanies
disorganization.
Set a time to go through backpacks each day to avoid late
night or early morning surprises. You won’t be caught off guard on picture day
and won’t be up all night constructing a scale model of the solar system from
random materials you can scrounge in the cabinets.
Clean out lunchboxes as soon as you get home. Even younger
children can be responsible for disposing of trash, putting utensils and dishes
in the sink, returning ice packs to the freezer, and wiping out the bag. It may
be helpful to have a few spare bags for those days when the lunchbox doesn’t come
home or doesn’t get cleaned out (I would have said, “Too bad, so sad,” but
realize packing may be the best option in many households). Pack lunches the
night before, if possible and pre-package any items you can on Sunday night for
the week ahead.
Hang school calendars and lunch menus in a central location.
Homework time should be structured. Allow each child a quiet
work area free from distractions. Take a few minutes to review their work with
them.
Take a few minutes each evening to organize for the next
morning. Set out clothes and shoes. Return homework, notes, and supplies to
backpacks. Store all necessary items in a central area ready to grab on the way
out the door in the morning.
Use timers to help kids stay on task. Most jobs take much
less time than children realize (and they spend more time procrastinating and
arguing). Allow them to earn extra time outside, extended time with a favorite
activity or increase bedtime by five minutes if they complete their homework
and put all materials back where they belong. Use charts to help them track
their progress. Charts can be adapted for homework, household chores, or
personal hygiene.
2.
Make time to relax
After a long day I long for a few minutes of quiet time.
When our children were young this meant either shooing them out the door or to
their rooms to play, or hiding in the bathroom for a few minutes. Just as
adults need down time to decompress, so do children. Build relaxation time into their busy
schedules to allow their bodies and brains time to recharge. While they may
protest (or complain they are “too old”) many children enjoy the benefits of
relaxation once it becomes part of their routine. Incorporate soft music, deep
breathing exercises, progressive relaxation techniques, or yoga into your down time
(there are many free apps available to assist with these activities if you’re
not sure where to start).
Get adequate sleep at night. Sleep affects your brain
function, as well as physical and mental health. While you are sleeping your
brain is busy forming new pathways to help you learn. Being well-rested
improves your mental focus, ability to make decisions, and solve problems. Lack
of sleep can cause behavioral and emotional issues including impulsive behavior
and depression.
Build quality family time into your week. Consider limiting
extracurricular activities if your children are overwhelmed with demands. Start
a tradition such as family game night to replace TV time (and limit other
electronics use).
3.
Eat balanced meals
Grandma always said, “You can’t raise kids on Coke and Pop
Tarts.” Well, grandma was wrong…but I still wouldn’t advise it. I have never
enjoyed cooking. I hate walking in the door after work and being hit with a
chorus of, “what’s for dinner?” We ate out frequently when my husband was not
home. Due to a busy schedule driving from gymnastics to soccer to piano lessons
to confirmation to gymnastics…we ate in the van some nights. Not recommended.
Work with your family to create a weekly or monthly menu and
take turns sharing the cooking (or cook together with younger children). Eat
meals together around the table and take time to share about your day. You will
learn so much about each other this way.
If the morning rush is difficult, check if your school
offers a breakfast program and take advantage of it.
Keep a stash of snacks organized or pre-packaged in the
fridge and pantry. Mixed nuts, trail mix, cheese, and yogurt are good sources
of protein—essential for new cell growth and healthy neurotransmitters in the
brain—add in fruits and veggies for a healthy snack.
4.
Hydrate
Be sure your child drinks plenty of good old H2O.
Your body depends on water to keep all its systems in good working order. Mild
dehydrations can sap energy and lead to fatigue. Dehydration can also cause
headaches, memory problems, poor concentration, as well as sleep issues, anger,
and depression.
5.
Be active
Just 20 minutes of physical activity, whether it’s an
organized sport or tossing the ball at the park can improve memory function. As
your heart rate increases, your brain gets more oxygen which assists with the
growth of new brain cells. Get your kids outside every day for some physical
play.
6.
Talk to the teacher
You’d be surprised what teachers hear in the classroom and
on the playground. When I was teaching I knew who was fishing without a
license, whose mother was expecting a child before the announcement was public,
and which father needed his back waxed before a trip to Hawaii.
While teachers don’t need to know all the details of your
lives, take a proactive approach to dealing with concerns. If you’re concerned
about a behavior your child is exhibiting or their performance in the
classroom, make an appointment to meet with the teacher and discuss strategies.
If your family is experiencing a change such as planning for a new baby or
moving, or if you are going through a divorce or there has been a death, let
the school staff know so they can watch for and assist with adjustment
difficulties your child may have. The school counselor is an excellent resource
for learning how to talk to your child about a change or for locating materials
to learn more about how to cope.
7.
Read
Children should spend 20 to 30 minutes reading outside of
school every day (15 minutes for beginning readers). Let them read something
they choose and enjoy and allow them to choose from picture books, chapter
books, magazines, and newspapers. Your
children will be more inclined to read if they see you, and other family
members, reading.
Dreading the six hour car trip to grandma’s for Thanksgiving?
Make car time educational! Flash cards, journals, and audio books can help pass
time while expanding their knowledge. Kids obsessed with movies in the car?
Rent educational DVDs or download documentaries on electronic devices.
Challenge them to see who can remember the most details about what they have
watched. An old-fashioned game of I Spy is good for passing the miles as well.
Whether you try one or all of these tips (or—gasp!--none),
here’s hoping you find a few moments of peace to start and end each day during
this school year.
Follow this link for a *FREE* packet on TBI and PTSD for
parents and teachers: http://www.familyofavet.com/parent_teacher_packet.html
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