Back to School

We had a great time all summer, but now it's time to get back to school. Make it easier on your kids and yourself by establishing routines now that will make it easier for you all year long.
At Pages of Parenting bookstore, we have charts from Creative Changes, Inc. that help kids get ready for school and share in family responsibilities. Charts for personal care, potty training, chores, and behavior keep you from having to nag. You'll be happier, and so will your kids!

Here we are AUGUST

I've been to a lot of conferences lately. Most teachers are saying the summer was way too short. They had so many hours of professional development that it seemed there wasn't much down time. Next week they start going back-year round schools already are back in the routine. As teachers drag themselves into the classrooms, the parents are counting down the days to back to school. I have received various comments from parents who stop by the Pages of Parenting Bookstore saying that they have enjoyed the special time and trips with their kids but they can't wait to get them back in school and routine. One mom said that her 13yr old is so off his sleeping schedule that he will have a rough first week back. As you find that escape from the hot sun, take some time to start jotting down your to-do's for back to school. It's never to early to get into that frame of mind. This will be a great school year. TIP for first day of school children- try to take them by their new school ahead of time, to relieve some of the first day jitters!

Parent Coach??

When I tell people that along with my parenting bookstore, I am also a parent coach, they respond with "What is a Parent Coach?"

Parent Coaching is a professional relationship that enhances your ability to learn, make changes, and achieve desired goals as a parent or child. A parent coach helps you get clear about what you want to accomplish, set specific goals, make an effective action plan, stay focused, and eliminate obstacles.
Coaching is not teaching, although it is educational.
Coaching reinforces learned concepts and skills until they become second nature. Your coach provides skills training in the 'need-to-know' moment that formal teaching missed. With your coach you will discover how much you already know. You learn more by discovering answers than by hearing them.

Coaching is not therapy, but it is therapeutic.
The focus of coaching is on taking a hard look at what is working for you and your family and what is not working. Then you'll identify specific plans, action steps, and ways of thinking that will move you toward achieving your desired goals.

Holidays

Now's the time to work on or establish some traditions in your home. Kids love to look forward to a specific event or happening. My parents just passed away and my daughter was discussing how she was going to miss stopping by their house to throw poppers with her grandparents. We had started that ritual to include them in the 4th without interrupting their routine. All looked forward to it each year and poppers are so harmless. Just throw them on the ground. It even brought a smile to my grumpy old dad.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th

Play

With the bright sun and not a cloud in the sky, kids should be taking this time to play. For parents a great book to help encourage a variety of play activities and as a bonus also help your child with their health, intelligence and creativity is The Power of Play by David Elkind. During the school year so much creativity time has been taken away from their curriculum. Who would have thought you would actually have to teach your kids to play? Just taking the time to interact with them can be such an esteem builder. With this book, you can bring the lightheartedness back into parenting. Play can also be important in the social education of your child. By being a good role model, as you play with them, you are helping them learn about communication, respect, and more of who you are. Great summer read!!

Teen Pregnancy

For those parents concerned with this subject check out tonight

NBC & The National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy collaborated to "warn teens about the dangers of pregnancy while enchanting them with the network's new reality show Baby Borrowers." 7-8pm central

Connection Parenting

There is a great book by Pam Leo called Connection Parenting. This is a great discipline book for an alternative to 1 2 3 Magic by Thomas Phelan. This book guides you in becoming aware of your whole child. Their feelings, environment, personality all become a factor in choosing an action that brings the best positive response.