The back-to-school faff is getting underway, so we spoke to psychologist and dad-of-three, David Coleman, for some insider tips on how to make the transition from lazy summer days to school run traffic in sideways rain.
We're particularly looing forward to those "expect delays on the Red Cow roundabout, all other roundabouts and all other inland and coastal roads countrywide" – yay!
10 Essential Tips To Nail The Back-To-School Faff:
1. Run through any changes to school travel routes (if moving to secondary for example).
2. Start to wind back the bedtimes and wake your children earlier in the last week before school, so they are used to the term time bedtime.
3. Remember that separation anxiety is normal and healthy, especially for younger children; so be prepared for some tears in the first days and weeks of “big” school.
4. The early weeks of school are exhausting for children so keep after school activity to a minimum and allow lots of time for rest and recuperation at the weekends too.
5. Think about taking some annual leave (if you have any left) so that you can be more available to your children in that first week back.
6. Make healthy lunches to keep their energy levels high and to enable your child to sustain their concentration over the whole school day.
7. Try to create settled daily routines as early as possible, to provide some continuity and predictability for your child
8. Focus, especially on getting your children into a habit of eating breakfast and then getting straight into homework shortly after they arrive back.
9. Plan for short “check-in” chats to make sure that all is well in their world.
10. Reduce screen time during the week to free up time for homework and exercise.
David Coleman is spokesperson for Pharmaton's Back to School Campaign. The Pharmaton Kiddi range helps parents to give the best nutrition to their children and to assist with healthy physical and mental development, by providing essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D and calcium. This is vital to help each day get off to the best start, especially during the busy school season ahead. Visit Pharmaton.ie for more helpful hints and tips.
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