Homework and headaches go together like macaroni and cheese, especially now that there seems to be so much to do early on. Cathy McFarland knows the frustration all too well. “When Maddie, my eight-year-old, didn’t understand her math homework, she’d cry and get so upset she’d hyperventilate,” says McFarland. Nightly math meltdowns became the norm. “I finally decided that math wasn’t worth ruining our relationship over. I can be the enforcer with piano practice, nightly reading, baths and bedtime, but I don’t need to be the math czar anymore.” McFarland hired a tutor.
Just about any morning for a family with school-age children can be a tricky balancing act, but especially weekday mornings. Scrambling to find homework, rushing to make breakfast and solving fashion disasters as the clock ticks away can add a lot of unnecessary stress. Chaotic mornings can result in tempers flaring and being late for school or work. Sound familiar? It doesn’t have to be this way. Bring peace and harmony back to your mornings with a little prep the night before and a new morning routine. Follow these seven simple habits for a better, calmer morning.
If your child is naturally shy, introverted or resistant to change, you probably won’t be surprised when back-to-school anxiety crops up a few weeks before school starts. And what if your typically fearless, hyper-social child suddenly starts to have angry outbursts or impulsive restlessness a couple of weeks before school starts? Could this be a sign of back-to-school anxiety?
School bells will soon ring once again. Whether that comes as music to your ears or a bittersweet reminder that the free-spirited summer days are over, check out these tips from the pros to help you and your child enjoy a smart, happy start to school.
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