1. Organize the night before.  A mad morning rush gives everyone’s day a stressful start. Skip the drama by taking a few unhurried minutes in the evening to load backpacks, lay out school cloths, sign school forms, and prepare snacks and lunches.
2. Set a bedtime and stick to it. School children need 9 to 11 hours of sleep. Kids who don’t wake easily, often seem irritable or lack daytime energy need more sleep. Sleep is important for many things, from overall growth to learning and concentration at school. Help kids wind down quietly before lights-out.
3. See that they eat a good breakfast either at school or at home. If your child hasn’t eaten since dinner the night before, there’s not energy to draw from. Kids learn better with food in their stomachs. Kids who eat breakfast are leaner because they’re not as likely to snack on high calorie, low-nutrient foods later in the day.
4. Learn what’s up. Ask open-ended questions, such as: “What were the best and the hardest parts about today?” Children are more apt to open up about problems if you show interest.
5. Teach safety. Think through your child’s day from he or she leaves for school to the time he or she gets home. How can they stay safe – from wearing a bike helmet to avoiding strangers to keeping doors locked at home?
6.  Spell out expectations. Discuss appropriate classroom behavior, a homework policy, balancing social time and schoolwork, and grade goals. Set the path for them and they’ll know when they’re on track.
7. Practice relaxation. It’s important for everybody to have some downtime, even children. As you sign kids up for sports and other activities, ask yourself: “Whose needs are being met – mine or my child’s?”

*Adopted from Living Healthy/Fall 2009