The Dog Days are (almost) Over!

The summer is winding down, and children are filled with a combination of longing for the summer to continue and the excitement of the new school year. New clothes, new haircuts, new teachers, new friends, all of which create an air of anticipation! As parents, this is a great time to remember that during times of transition, kids fall back on old behaviors. With younger children, this could show up as thumb sucking, tantrums, bed-wetting, and challenging bedtime routines. Older children may display short tempers, fatigue, restlessness and anxiety. Most likely, you have seen these behaviors before and must remind yourself that circling back is part of the process. Take a breath, relax your muscles, and focus on establishing routines that have a healthy balance of structure and nurture. Remember, it's not about doing one or the other, but both at the same time.

Here are some tips for getting through the back-to-school transition:

• Make the new school year a positive discussion in your home. Talk about hopes and fears for the school year. Encourage kids to share school rituals that were important before they joined you.

• Make sure your kiddos have clothes similar to their peers. We all want to feel included!

• Pack lunches, and write notes on napkins!

• Celebrate your children when they walk in the door. They are precious, and need to hear it every day. Make welcoming family members home something that everyone looks forward to.

• Establish consistent, nurturing bedtime routines. Offer herbal tea, baths, back rubs, songs or story time.

• For all our teacher parents, TCU has some TBRI® links for educators here!