August is here… and so is the realization that summer is slipping away.
Soon, those family vacations and lazy days at the pool will be a memory and the kids will be heading back to school.
Back-to-school can mean a lot of things: new friends, new teachers and often a new school.
Some families are sending their first little one off to kindergarten, while others are watching their kids make the transition from middle school to high school.
Then there are those families entering a whole new phase of life as they move their child to college.
Back-to-school is not only hard on the kids, it’s hard on parents, too.
Getting back into the swing of structured routines and a new school year can make all of us feel anxious and maybe even a little bit blue. Here are some helpful tips that will make the transition easier for everyone in the family:
>> Get back to regular bed times, wake-up times and lunch/dinner schedules a few weeks prior to school starting.
>> Ask for your kids help when it comes to creating homework and chore charts, plus, let them pick out their school supplies and new clothes.
>> Make sure you’re listening as your kids talk about their fears and then help them think of ways to cope during those times they are feeling anxious.
>> Get them prepared for their first day by organizing their backpack and mapping out the route to their school or bus stop.
>> Plan one last summer “fun” day for a picnic, BBQ or even a weekend away.
From Visually.
Start the school year out happy and healthy.
Schedule back-to-school physicals with your family doctor to check that your child’s immunizations are up-to-date.
And don’t forget the dentist office! Regular check-ups and cleanings will ensure a healthy smile all year long and also sets the stage for good oral hygiene that will last well into adulthood.
Is your family looking forward to getting back to school? Tell us about your back-to-school traditions and/or how you’re banishing those “back-to-school” blues.
Dr. Mike Mavrostomos is passionate about providing top-quality, comprehensive dental care. He is located in Bedminster, NJ whose continual pursuit of education and state-of-the-art dentistry has led to his being recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists by the New Jersey Top-Docs committee.