Back to School: Get an "A" For Effort

Doing Your Best for Your School-Age Child

Being a parent is probably the most difficult job in the world. You work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your boss is incredibly demanding, and probably shorter than you are. There are no vacations. Even so, the benefits can't be beat—except maybe when the boss goes back to school.

The stress of a new school year can make you forget some of the benefits of being a parent. It's an adjustment time for you and your child. Keeping your child safe, healthy and happy during the school year becomes your number one priority. Here are some back-to-school tips to make the transition a little easier and a lot healthier.

Getting Ahead of the Game Before the Bell Rings

Preparation is always the key to diminishing stress. Whether it be purchasing the correct tools, getting tasks done ahead of time or instilling healthy habits in your children, preparation will help you breathe easier.

• Is your child the new kid?
• Stress-free mornings
• Backpack safety
• Packing safe and healthy lunches
• Teaching good hygiene

Helping with Friends and Stress

Friends and stress are issues that concern a child's happiness. Parents can learn when to be involved and when to step back.

• Kids and friendships
• Socializing a shy child
• Common childhood fears

Dealing with School Safety Concerns

With school violence and the threat of online predators, modern parents are dealing with new concerns.

• Stopping bullying
• Safe web-surfing
• Kids and school violence
• Teenagers and parties

School's Out—What's Next?

Whether it is getting home safely or completing their homework, there are ways you can teach your children maturity and responsibility.

• After-school safety
• Homework without tears

More

• When to keep kids home from school
• How to help males succeed in schools again
• Tips for handling school avoidance