Decrease Stress for Your Family This School Year

KEEPING YOUR FAMILY COMFORTABLE

SIOUX FALLS FURNACE & AC EXPERTS

605.610.1840 foleysheating.com

by Encompass Mental Health, LLC

Decrease Stress for Your Family this School Year

The school year is back in full swing, which can mean a busy family schedule. Follow these tips for a smoother school year and less stress for your family.

Communicate with the School

If you have any concerns about your child’s ability to do well in the classroom, academically or socially, check in with your child’s teacher right away. Ask about expectations so that you can assist your child in understanding these expectations. Share your concerns; explain your goal to create a plan together to help your child be as successful as possible this school year.

If you have any concerns about your child’s ability to function within the classroom without supports, communicate this in writing to the school as soon as possible. South Dakota Parent Connection has additional resources if you need support navigating conversations about supports and Special Education with your child’s school (find these links on the digital version of this story at www.thehoodmagazine.com).

Stick to a Routine

To help the morning go smoothly, keep the same morning routine that includes breakfast, medication (if applicable), getting dressed, brushing teeth, and gathering needed supplies for the school day (backpack, library books, or tennis shoes for PE).

Keeping this routine can assist you in staying more patient as a parent while you teach your child how to develop skills for taking responsibility for these tasks on their own, but this takes lots of practice and may take longer for some children.

If homework is a battle, consider adding a plan for homework completion during the afterschool or evening routine. Consider having a dedicated quiet space for schoolwork, breaks for snacks or a brain-break, and plans for how to organize homework for return to school. Check with your child’s teacher regarding how to turn homework in before developing your plan.

Limit Out-of-School Activities

Overscheduling can lead to burnout, anxiety, and family stress.

Select one or two activities for your child to engage in per season, making sure to leave time in your week for family time, free play—alone or with siblings or friends--and plenty of physical activity. These activities are far more essential to your child’s development than extracurricular activities.

Select activities based upon your child’s interests, strengths, and needs. Unless your child shows a learning deficit and needs additional academic supports, avoid using afterschool or weekend activities to fit in more academic activities; this is unnecessary and may actually be counterproductive to your goal. l

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