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Hello my friends,
Those of us who have children this may come in handy.Just use this as a guide.Kathy/simikathy.com
Back-to-school jitters are everywhere
By Laura Warner
Deseret Morning News
PROVO — A new school year has arrived with new teachers, early bedtimes for kids and homework.
And while parents home during the daytime are relieved to have some alone time, the start of a new school year can be stressful for the whole family.
Even principals get nervous.
"I have had the same experience as a teacher each year, the night before the first day of school," said David Rowe, a former teacher and current principal at Art City Elementary School in Springville.
"I have a dream where I get to school and I am very ill-prepared for the first day. The kids begin to take over because I am scrambling to get something going. The anxiety builds to the point of explosion and I wake up sweating and tense."
Garth Bird, principal of Hobble Creek Elementary, said he's been an educator for 33 years and is "still too excited for the first day of school to sleep the night before."
"There is nothing else like it. There is nervousness of the unknown — Will they like me? Will I get a good class? Will everything go all right?" Bird said.
Not surprisingly, those are the same worries that plague students before school resumes each year.
"I've been doing this for, like, 10 years, so it seems silly to lose sleep the night before, but there's always something new about each year that can be exciting or frightening," said Ashlee Norris, 15. "But I think it's mostly excitement. And that's a good thing."
According to education experts, back-to-school jitters are normal and are rarely cause for alarm.
So take a deep breath and relax because making a smooth transition from summer to the school year is vital to your child's success and your well-being.
Here are some back-to-school tips that will help eliminate anxiety:
• Put your child to bed early and decrease activities the week before school starts.
• Help your child pick out outfits in advance to wear the first few days of school.
• Send a small photo or item from home with your child for comfort.
• Set goals and expectations for school performance with your child.
• Create a permanent work space where your child can do homework.
• Plan extra time for the first week to discuss your child's day and alleviate concerns.
After all, as nerve-wracking as a new school year can be, it's also full of adventure and reunions with old friends.
English teacher Brenda Burr compares it to giving birth. "Leaving summer behind is like leaving the labor room," Burr said. "No kid or year is ever the same. Each has its own personality, challenges and high points."
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