Back To School: How to Prepare Them

Hello Everyone!! 

Summer vacation is over for some of our little ones, but others have a few weeks left before their school year begins.

My kids' school year began on August 6th, 2015.   My son, who will turn 9 years old next month, is now a third grader! I can't believe how fast time passes by.  No, let me rephrase that, we all know how fast time can pass by, I just wish it didn't.  

Moving up a grade means he will face more challenges, high academic demands and the struggle to make new friends.   But thankfully he will not face the challenge of attending a new school like some of your kids will.

But don't worry, even if this if the first year your little ones is attending school there are many things you can do to make the transition process from home to school an easy one, not just for them but for you too.   I do the following every year.   

Meet & Greet:

Some schools are not open to the public during the summer. (If your assigned school is open, make sure you take advantage of it and visit!!)   However, most teachers are available via e-mail.  I suggest communicating with them, let them know of your situation and ask if it would possible for your child to visit the classroom before school starts.  

If such meeting is not possible, make sure you attend Open House (Orientation) and let the child spend as much time as he/she can in the classroom so that he/she can get to know the classroom, where their desk, locker, bathroom is located. etc.

I always attend Open House, it gives me an opportunity to meet the teacher face to face and see how "parent friendly" he or she is and how my child interacts around them. 

I also take the opportunity to ask questions about discipline protocol, homework assignments, best way to contact them and of course, volunteering opportunities.  

Walk with them:

If possible, walk with them to class.  Help them get settled, but do not stay any longer than you have to.  Talk to the little ones ahead of time and describe to them what the plan is once you arrive at the school.  Try not to spend too much time talking about "goodbyes" or "mommy is going to leave you", trust me, it doesn't matter what you say after that, the only words those little ears are hearing are "good bye" and "I'm going to be alone".  

Try and say things like "Once we get to class, mommy will help you place your items in your cubbie, and will show you where your lunch box needs to go, all your new friends will be there already, so as soon as we get everything where it needs to be, the class will begin....".

My kids are well into their second week of school, I no longer walk them to their classrooms. Sp, while we are sitting in car line, we go over their spelling words, we pray together and I remind them how much I love them.  

Love & Encouraging Notes:

This is another way to remind them that you are thinking of them.  I still do this, my son still loves getting "hidden messages" in his lunch box.  

Even if your child can't fluently read yet, its okay, when my daughter was in Pre-K, I would draw  tiny flowers and hearts on the sticky note and I would write "ILU" and she knew what it meant.  

Of course, now that they are older, my messages include: 

"I love you"
"Make good choices"
"Remember to be kind to others"
"Remember to use your manners"
"Don't be bossy- listen to others" (this mainly is for my son); and
"Make me Proud"
"Believe in yourself"
"Be Proud of yourself"

Let Your child express his/her feelings:

Unfortunately, my daughter was sick during the first and second day of school.  While it was the wrong way to start the year, it gave me extra time to address her fears.  

Do not dismiss their feelings, even when you know their fears are silly.   Well, they may be silly to us but to them that monster is real.

Remind you child that if any problems arises at school, they must tell the Teacher and that the Teacher will contact you.  

I truly believe that because I spent the extra time with her, reminding her that this will be a fun and exciting year, that she will get to have homework like her brother, and she will no longer have to take naps therefore giving her extra "play time"... as silly all these things sound, I believe her fears were eased.

When Monday arrived, she was more than ready to start her day and no tears were shed this year! 

Pick Up Time:

Now, I've always done the drop off and pick up so I didn't have to alter my schedule for this. 

But if your schedule is not as flexible, make plans ahead of time to leave work a bit early so that you may be able to pick them up.  At the end of their first day, the kids are eager to get home.   

I make sure I have the extra time and have a special treat with them so that I can ask them about their day.  

Now, everybody prepares their children differently, here are some Tips & Advice from other Parents:

Maria B. says: 

"Well, we normally read "who will be my teacher this year". This year it's kinda like they know what they have to do and they're good with it. Usually Joolz concern is he won't know anyone and I normally tell him, but You're awesome! So soon enough you'll know everyone! And he's good with that. I put them to sleep early enough and fix breakfast every morning to get them started right"

Yessica B. shares: 

"I find it helpful to reassure them that I will be picking them up from school or, when I was working, who was going to pick them up. We talk about how fun school will be, that they'll see old friends and meet new ones, and that they get to share time with a new teacher! I am lucky that for the most part, my kids enjoy school."

Yari T. shares: 

"For the last two weeks I've been trying to get them to bed earlier and up earlier to start getting them used to a schedule again. A month before school I give them Oregon Grape root, it taste horrible but I throw a gummy vitamin in their mouth right after to help a little.

Oregon grape serves as an excellent alternative; they both contain the immune-stimulating, infection-fighting, antiseptic constituent berberine. Herbs that contain berberine are scientifically proven to protect against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. 

When my daughter started pre k, the flu, strep throat and several colds passed through the class and even the teachers missed and my daughter never got sick. Either good luck or the stuff really works. 

We make school supply shopping a bug deal and have lots of fun to get them excited. 

Last, I continue to cover them in prayer. When school starts my prayers change a little to focus on school, peer pressure, leadership and just for them to be covered and protected. Lol OK, I'm done!!!!

Maria C. shares: 

"Night before I have my kids (preK, 2nd, 3rd grade) to get their uniform ready and they show it to me. Gives them independence on choosing their outfit. Always wish my kiddos to have a great day and lots of hugs and kisses."

Lennon Christian-Cavman shares: 

"Inform kids what personal information (social media access/phone) NOT to share with everyone- Or, crate fun "Biz Cards" for them to share with the relevant info.  Pray with them each day- even if it's in the car (eyes open) Helps them learn to meditate+focus positively.  Give them something to share.  Offering an extra snack, pencil, etc can help them break ice with new friends." 

BACK TO SCHOOL 

HAIRSTYLES

    

 
     Gina shares:

Our friend from "Mygirlshairjourney" shares her B2S styles: 

First Day of School!

Hello everyone! 

Today was the big day for Ms. Bree, she is officially a First Grader! 

Last week was a rough week for Ms. Bree and I.  Although the school year started on Thursday, August 6, 2015, Ms. Bree was unable to attend the first and second day of school.  

During the last day of Summer Camp, Ms. Bree contracted a "tummy bug"! The high fever she suffered (103.7) lasted for two and half days.  

Unfortunately, I missed my son's first day as a Third Grader but Daddy was there for him. 

But I made sure I was there to pick him from school so that we could spend some quality time together.  He told me all about his first day as a Third Grader while we enjoyed some ice cream at his favorite place.  

I can't believe he is a third grader now.  It's amazing how short this summer vacation was, and now a new school year has begun.

So, today was "Our First Day of School"! 

Ms. Jones and Ms. Bree. 

 Daddy and Ms. Bree 

(yes! I forgot to write her excuse, so here I am in a rush writing her excuse)

We started the year with two simple cornrows on the front into a sleek bun.  I didn't feel like she needed to spend two to three hours getting her hair styled after she had experience such debilitating fever.  

Therefore, this week she will wear her hair in a bun and we will condition and this weekend we will style her hair into a more protective style. 

First Day of School & Mommy's Blues!

Yesterday was our children's first day of School.

Ms. Bree started Pre-Kindergartner and Lil Man started First grade. I can honestly say that the children were excited and they promptly got out of bed, okay, it was not that easy, but it was not the usual struggle either. 

Do you remember your first day of school? I personally can't remember any of them. If we are being honest here, my first day in first grade was about thirty years ago… phewwww that was a long time ago.

This school year, both children are attending a new school. When I realized the kids were no longer going to be attending a private school, I had a thousand questions and no answer. 

As most of us know, the Public School System class size range from at least 22-24 children and it can be intimidating for someone who is used to attending a private school where the class sizes are of 8-10 students.

As the date approached, the kids were counting the days, hours and minutes because they were ready to go to their new school.  I was not as ready as they were.  Thankfully, one of Ms. Bree's friends from the private school is in the same class, and Lil Man's best friend is in his class as well.  Part of me knew that the transition was going to be smooth for them. 

I walked out of my daughter's classroom and when I looked back, she was so at ease, at peace, in her new class that she didn't even think about the fact she was on new school grounds, new teacher, and 22 new classmates and prospective friends. 

Ms. Bree is my youngest child but has always been a social butterfly.  I constantly worry about her because of her carefree nature and how petite she is.  I literally spent all day thinking, "Is she okay? will the teachers be watching them closely during play time?, Will she eat her lunch?" 

Lil Man's class is on the other side of the school, a long way from Ms. Bree's, and to my surprise Lil Man walked into his class room with his chin up, greeted his teacher and found his seat and promptly went to work completing the worksheet that was placed on his desk. 

He gave me a kiss good bye, and whispered "I love you mama, but I will give you more kisses after school".  

My son, the one who was never too shy to give his mama good kisses, has finally told me those words no mother wants to hear… "no more kisses in front of his classmates". Although it made me sad, it was just another sign that he is growing up. 

I found the above poem and I thought, "wow, how true", I then realized that while my kids were probably having a good time, I was the one having the hardest time with this transition. 

While there are plenty of tips, guidelines, and books on how to prepare our children for their first day of school. As I parent, I need a guide too!  A "How to Cope with The First Day of School- For Parents".  

After all, I'm entrusting the safety of my children to a new school, and new teachers.  Can we get a guide too?

How do we prepare for this day as parents?  

#1: Be honest with yourself:  I often have panic/anxiety attacks when it comes to my children.  My tension levels are always high and I get so stressed that it really drains my energy and patience!   Knowing your feelings and your reaction to those feelings will help you plan ahead for the big day.

#2: Plan Accordingly:  I am known to be a planner, but that doesn’t truly alleviate me from the stress of the big event, but it minimizes the running around, and the screaming in my head.

      a.  Get uniforms ready for the week;   I actually had the children helped me with this task.  We selected a uniform for each day including shoes, socks and undergarments. 

      b. Plan Lunches/Snack for the week:  The children and I made a list of meals and snacks they were interested in taking to school.  This can be very helpful when you do your grocery shopping as well.  Print a calendar, have each child personalized their calendar by coloring the page or by placing their favorite stickers. 

     c.  Breakfast:  While my son is really good about eating breakfast, Ms. Bree has developed my bad habit of not wanting to eat breakfast.  We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Therefore I try to give her a light but healthy breakfast but she sees it as a "snack".  Instead of preparing a heavy breakfast full of protein which most likely is going to make her sleepy, I give her a snack bag with ten to twelve blueberries, a small "Dora" yogurt and a glass of juice.  Our other options are a granola bar, toast, cereal and/or oatmeal. 

All of the above did help me getting them ready for their first day of school and will continue to make my mornings somewhat easy.  The steps made certain that I didn't forget anything and sent the children to school unprepared. But in no way did the steps minimize my fear. 

Emotionally I was unprepared and did experience the "blues". But after discussing this with all of you, my loyal readers on our facebook wall, I came to understand that it is perfectly normal to have all these conflicting emotions, sad, fear, happiness, pride and a million other feelings parents experience when their children are reaching a milestone in their lives.

The key is to take time to acknowledge those feelings, understand that it is very common to experience them and that as parents, we must take the time to prepare ourselves for what is to come. 

Once the children arrived home from school, they had so many stories to tell.  They told me from how much fun they had during recess and how many friends they made.  After reviewing their folders, the teachers have given them happy/green faces for listening and good behavior.  They came home with empty lunches, dirty uniforms and very big smiles on their faces.  I automatically wanted to kick myself for worrying so much, but the truth is and one of our lovely readers pointed out, if I didn't worry about my children then I wouldn't be a good parent.  Yeah, I'm a bit in the over protective borderline obsessive line but I love my kids, and their happiness and safety are always before my own.