Question:
How can I help my children get ready to go back to school?
Back-to-School Clothes
In helping your child get ready to return to school, be sure to check your child's wardrobe to see if any, or all, clothing articles need replenishing. It may surprise you just how much your child may have grown over the summer months. You do not want to be caught by surprise when cooler weather hits and the jeans your child wore last year are 2-3 sizes too small this year and your child is forced to wear short pants because that is all that fits.
Morning Checklist
It might help younger children in getting everything ready for school in the mornings by preparing and posting a morning checklist in their room. Let your kids help prepare the checklist by cutting out pictures from magazines depicting the various activities that need to be done such as brushing teeth, eating breakfast, checking backpack for completed homework assignments, securing lunch money or packing lunch, etc. Having a visual reminder will help keep them on track, especially the one that easily gets neglected, brushing their teeth!
Designated Homework Area
Select a quiet spot with plenty of lighting and designate it as a homework area. It can be a corner of your child's room, or a quiet spot in the living or dining room, preferably not within viewing or hearing distance of a television or other distractions. Equip this area with an appropriate sized desk or table and chair, as well as a place for basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, dictionary, etc. Use letter trays or small storage boxes to hold basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, dictionary, etc., as well as projects in process, upcoming assignments, etc.
Backpack Station
It is a good idea to have a designated spot for kids to stash their backpacks when they come in from school, as well as for when they have finished their homework. Having a designated area close to an entry door will save those early morning hassles of searching frantically through the house trying to find their homework. Get your kids in the habit of always placing their backpack in the designated spot. This spot might be a basket in the coat closet or foyer, or just inside the door to a child's room, or whatever would work best in your home.
Organize the Night Before
Get your children in the habit of setting out clothes the night before school, including their shoes. It will make mornings go much smoother if time is not spent trying to locate a favorite shirt that is in the laundry, or searching for an errant shoe. Teach your kids to organize for the next day before they go to bed. It will make all of your lives less stressful.
Back-to-School Supplies
Plan ahead for that all-important first day of school. Whether your child is entering school for the first time, or this is one of many first days in returning school, it is important to be prepared. Take advantage of the sales on school supplies and stock up. Buy extras on some basic items, as half-way through the school year, you may find yourself paying much higher prices to replenish notebooks, pencils, and crayons. Be sure to remember facial tissues! They are just as basic as notebook paper for the inevitable runny nose.
Celebrate End-of-Summer
Before your children head back to school in the fall, treat them to a fun end-of-summer fling. It can be as simple as a trip to a favorite ice cream shop, or an all-day event to an amusement or water park. Let your kids help decide what they want their last summer fling to be. It will help them begin to make the transition back to school.
Single Parent Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the struggles faced by single parents?
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How Can I Find the Right Mate?
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Now that the tree is decorated, what else should I do?
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So what if you are angry with your childīs other parent-is that okay?
What can my kids do on hot summer days?
Should I let my children pick my future mate?
How can I better discipline my children?
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Can child support be withheld from a paycheck?
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Can I do a good job raising my kids alone?
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I am overloaded, what can I do?
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Will it help to develop a routine for my children?
Going to the movies costs too much, what can we do?
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Is clinical depression hereditary?
How important are fathers to children?
My child has big dreams, is that normal or okay?
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Should we be friends before we get involved?
What if my date is lazy and doesnīt try to help me?
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What about dating someone I donīt know?
At what age is it okay to leave a child alone?
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How can I be evaluated as a parent, not just a father?
Does a single parent have to be lonely?
How does joint physical custody work for school-age children?
What about long-distance relationships?
Whatīs something fun we can do close to home?
Need your car washed and cleaned but donīt have time?
Is it okay to let my kids deliver messages to my ex-spouse?
Can my child relay negative message for me?
How can I provide a reminder for my child that I love them?
Is it okay to expect my teen to help with household chores?
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What inexpensive gifts can we give teenage friends, babysitters, etc.?
What do you do when something needs to be repaired?
How does joint physical custody work for school-age children?
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Do I need to attend church with kids or can I just send them?
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What steps should I take to deal with anger?
How does what I do today affect tomorrow?
Anything I should know before filing income tax returns?
It it okay to date because Iīm bored?
How about dating around my teenagers?
Is it okay to move the boundaries occasionally?
How can I make Christmas exciting after we open gifts?
How can I develop a good relationship with my child?
How much house payment can I afford?
What if I canīt afford a babysitter to go to school?
Isnīt religion the same as spirituality?
How can I help my child grow emotionally?
Warning signs to indicate something wrong with staying home alone?
How can I reassure my child when I leave him/her at the babysitter?
What do I do if my child complains about the other parent?
How can I make my childīs birthday special?
I must eat out for lunch, so how can I save?
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How can I be a good single parent?
I canīt talk to my ex, how can we communicate?
What type of charitable contributions can we make as a family?
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Will my child love me less if I canīt provide for them like my ex?
Is it okay to call my ex-spouse "names" if they fit?
Is it okay to let my teenager make their own rules now?
Is it okay to plan my dates around custodial visits?
How can I get my kids to help with household chores?
What should I do with financial documents?
How can I be a real dad on short visits?
How can I make my child feel this is their home too?
What if my child does not want to visit?
Is it okay to end a date with sex?
Why does my child need my attention?
Is bicycling a good exercise for physical fitness?
Is it okay for my kids to spy on the other parent for me?
Can the noncustodial father carry health insurance on my children?
Any more inexpensive gift ideas?
What About Gifts for Neighbors, Mail Carrier, etc.?
Is it true love or infatuation?
Are there guidelines to follow for blind dates?
How can I keep from getting over-stressed?
Do single parents face different problems than dual-parent households?
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Does my attitude affect my health?
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Why should I be concerned about nutrition?
Any other ideas for brown bag lunches?
How can I get on with my life and stop fighting?
Can I go to school just for fun?
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What can we do on Christmas Eve?
Can the court take away my parental rights?
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What is the best way to deal with lifeīs lemons?
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How can I show love when I must discipline a child?
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What are power games and do I have to play?
How does discipline affect self-esteem?
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Any inexpensive entertainment ideas?
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Does depression affect my basic health?
Should my kids also set goals?
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What is a fun way to teach my child the alphabet?
Whats a good way to get my kids to bed on time?
How can I minimize anxiety on my child with joint physical custody?
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What are some other methods for cutting back expenses?
I have too much I need to do on weekends. Help!
Should I set goals for myself and my family?
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What if I cannot afford to save?
Any suggestions for traveling with children?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Kristle Jones |
