Our children seem to always be in transition. They go from being infants to toddlers to preschoolers to school age to pre-teen in what seems like a flash. And they depend on us for guidance through every transition. Some, of course are easier than others. One important transition is that from grade school to middle school. Did you know that when you enter the term “middle school transition” on a popular search engine you will see 619,000 results!
The transition to middle school is accompanied by other transitions. In addition to the academic changes, your child will experience physical and emotional changes. The middle school years provide the opportunity for your child to grow educationally, physiologically and emotionally, however, fifth graders have many concerns about logistics and the social and academic changes coming such as:
Getting to class on time
Finding lockers, lunchrooms and bathrooms
Keeping up with assignments
Getting to the right bus to get home
Changing classes; remembering which class to go to next
Getting through the crowded halls
Will teachers expect more?
Will I have time to have fun with my friends?
Who should I talk to if I’m having a problem with something?
Will I make new friends?
Here are some parenting tips to help your child transition to middle school:
1. Visit the campus before school starts. If your school offers tours and orientations, attend them with your child. Additionally, take your child (and maybe her friend as well) exploring. They can help each other remember where things are. When you are exploring, note where the lockers and bathrooms are. Walk through a typical day (if you know the class schedule) to see how long it takes to get from class to class and then factor in extra time for crowded hallways. This is best done just before the start of the school year.
2. Stay involved. To get to know the teachers, attend school functions like open houses and parent-teacher nights. Volunteer for activities at school. There are fewer available than in elementary school, so take advantage of what is offered. This is a great opportunity to observe your child in school and build up your confidence in her progress and trust in her emerging independence. Learning to trust is an essential parenting skill.
3. Encourage your child to stay involved. Middle school provides the opportunity to join sports teams, clubs and other extra-curricular activities. By finding one or two that your child can join, he can make new friends and pursue a special interest with like-minded kids, and maybe make some new friends.
4. Help arrange weekend activities. The early weeks of middle school can be overwhelming with the new class schedules, new building and new kids. Using weekends for social activities with friends from grade school or the neighborhood will ease this transition by providing familiar faces and activities.
5. Talk about social skills. Help your child learn how to join a group conversation without interrupting, adding something relevant to the conversation. Teach her to be a good listener. Discuss how words and actions can affect other people. Role play the conversational skills you are teaching and demonstrate using eye contact when speaking or listening.
6. Continue regular family activities. The comfort of regular family activities can help in this transition. Even though your child will have a lot more homework, continue family game night so that you can re-connect in a fun way. You can also use this time to observe any changes in the way your child approaches playing games, or relating to the family.
7. Get organized. Help your child work out an organizational system for getting assignments done. Acknowledge the anxiety he may have over the workload and work together on a schedule for study time, break time, chore time, family time, etc.
8. Teach your child to advocate for herself. Encourage her to approach her teachers with problems and concerns to find solutions on her own, but let her know that you will step in and help as needed.
By: Haynes Miller About the Author:
To learn “The Simple Parenting Technique That Always Gets Results” download my brand new report here:
http://www.platinumparenting.com
Haynes Miller teaches all her parenting secrets in “Platinum Parenting,” a seven week parenting makeover which transforms parenting stress into parenting joy. Platinum Parenting, because children are our most precious resource.
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By following the parenting tips ADHD in this article, you can help your child reduce the symptoms of ADHD, so he can improve his performance at school and at home and get along better with others. As you can guess, small changes in diet and lifestyle can make for big changes in your child’s quality of life.
Parenting Tips ADHD: Exercise
For kids who are hyperactive, getting enough exercise is important. Actually, it’s important for all of us, parents as well as children. If your family life tends to be sedentary, get out in the world and try different family activities. In the winter, you can go for walks in the snow, build a snow fort, go ice skating, skiing or sledding. During the rest of the year, you can participate in even more outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, playing tennis, jogging, or going for a bike ride.
Exercise relieves stress and helps hyperactive kids blow off steam. Exercising out in nature adds to this effect because it soothing, invigorating and refreshing. Even when you can’t exercise outdoors, make family fitness a priority.
Parenting Tips ADHD: Nutrition
Since kids with ADHD have been shown to be deficient in certain minerals and nutrients, like zinc, niacin and omega 3’s, give your child a healthy diet that is abundant in fresh foods. Leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, fresh fish such as salmon, lean meats, nuts, legumes and fruit in season will give your child a variety of nutrients from which to build a healthy body and calm mind.
Staying away from processed foods will reduce insulin, making it easier for your child to focus and stay calm. In this culture, we tend to discount the importance of diet, but what you eat becomes your body’s fuel and the body simply does not operate efficiently when fueled by sugar or junk food.
Parenting Tips ADHD: Natural Supplements
Although the importance of a healthy diet cannot be underestimated, it is essential to supplement the diet with herbal remedies that are formulated specifically to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. These remedies contain botanicals that soothe the nervous system, reduce irritability, frustration and outbursts and increase the ability to focus and stay on task.
Many parents do not realize that a quality natural supplement can work just as effectively as pharmaceutical drugs to reduce the symptoms of ADHD without side effects. In fact, if you are trying to wean your child off drugs, you can use these remedies along with your child’s current medication because they have no interactions. Better still, since the remedies supply the brain with much needed nutrients, they actually work to heal dysfunction with daily use.
Since all remedies are not created equal, make sure to do your research and look for a supplement that contains proven ingredients such as hyocyamus, arsen iod and tuberculinum.
So there you have it. By following these simple parenting tips, ADHD symptoms will diminish and your child’s natural intelligence and confidence will be restored.
By: Laura Ramirez About the Author:
Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of natural remedies for ADHD and other health issues. Read more about her findings by going to
www.treating-adhd-naturally.com
Ms. Ramirez is also the author of the award-winning parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting and is the publisher of Family Matters Parenting Magazine. She is a parenting educator and speaker.
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I faced a challenge when we started a family: my husband, Bill, had no
domestic skills. He wanted to share parenting. His flexible hours as an
academic allowed him to help at home. But he could barely boil an egg.
Needless to say, our early experience was rocky. We persevered,
however, and the fifty-fifty parenting arrangement we worked out with
our first child made having our second baby much easier than it would
have been otherwise. What follows are tips from our experience and
from my reporting on the subject:
*Be sure it’s what you want. Sharing parenting involves
tradeoffs. As a mom, you don’t always get to do things your way. You
negotiate childcare issues a lot with your mate, which can be tedious.
However you get a real partner and the kids get a hands-on dad. You
also understand each other’s lives better than when you operate in
separate spheres.
*Take a stand. Women usually don’t get a fifty-fifty deal unless
they push for it. Parenting tasks can be tedious. Many men won’t do
them unless asked. In addition, women serve as gatekeepers for fathers’
involvement; studies show that husbands take cues from their wives
about how much to step in. Make clear what you want, see if he agrees,
and if so, get out of the way.
*Don’t take work as an excuse. Recently a new mom asked me,
“If I stay at home with the kids and he works, should I expect him to help
after hours?” Yes. After all, come evening you’ve both worked. Alternate
parenting duties after hours so each person gets a break. But recognize
that if he works 80 hours a week sharing parenting probably isn’t an
option. Parents who share duties usually have family-friendly careers.
*Be specific. I spent our first year parenting saying, “I need more
help.” Bill responded, “I want to help.” And round and round we went.
Finally I listed our domestic duties and we divided them up. Making the
list was empowering. Finally all my minute tasks were visible to my
partner. I also realized how much my husband was doing already.
*Create mom and dad duties. Often the obstacle to sharing
parenting isn’t the man in the house, but the toddler. The minute daddy
takes over, the little one screams, “NO, I WANT MOMMY!” Kids thrive on
routines so set duties can help with this. Make dad the bath guy and
mom the bedtime reader. Don’t intervene when your husband is in
charge. And if junior hollers for dad when you’re on duty? Don’t judge
yourself by your toddler’s whims.
*Be flexible. Equal doesn’t have to mean the same. Some
couples thrive splitting childcare tasks down the middle. Others prefer to
carve out separate spheres of responsibility. Either way works as long
as each parent is free from meddling by the other.
*Train him. Nobody likes being told what to do. But if your
husband is like mine, you have to train him. Show him how to make one
simple kid’s meal. Don’t rescue him. You learned how to cook burning
burgers too. And take heart, attitude is more important than aptitude. The
difficult guy is the one who made the gourmet meals when you were
dating and has refused to cook since.
*Air anger when necessary. The silent treatment doesn’t work. I
know. I’ve tried it. Having a tantrum, however, can be effective. I’m not
proud of the one I had in a restaurant but it got my man’s attention. Men
can handle anger, but they’re lousy at reading tea leaves. Better a few
fights than resentment.
*Plan for baby number two. If you’re having a second child, talk
to your husband about the family’s needs before the baby arrives. What
worked or didn’t the first time around? How can you do things
differently? Get dad to start caring for your older child before the second
arrives, by, say, getting your firstborn ready for school. Think small. What
will need to be done? Who can do it best?
*Brag about sharing parenting. Boast to the women at the park.
Praise your husband’s parenting skills in front of others. A lot of people
want to share parenting but lack role models. Your example can help.
Bragging also recognizes shared parenting for what it is: a great
accomplishment!
Dec
14
When your child frowns and moans, “Nobody likes me,” Do you suffer too? Would you like 50 parenting tips for helping your child make friends? Let’s start with 3 social skill tips you can teach your child today.
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” - Mother Teresa.
You can help your child “belong.” Just take a little time and teach him how to make friends with the following social skills. He’ll be smiling in no time.
First Parenting Tip for Children:
Tell him, “See things from your friend’s point of view.” Every child likes to be understood. Your child might have to ask his friend some questions to find out what he is thinking. He could start by saying, “I have a question. Why are you so mad at your sister?” This gives his friend an open door to talking about the problem. Tell your child to listen well. He might follow up with a comment like, “I can see why you’re so mad.”
Notice your child isn’t agreeing with his friend’s point of view. He is seeing why his friend’s upset.
His friend will feel understood. Your child won’t be saying, “Nobody likes me,” because his friend will like him for listening.
Parenting Tips for Teaching Social Skills:
The best way to teach your child what you mean is to start with, “I have a question for you. Ask it. Listen to your child. Later ask him how he felt when you saw things from his point of view. Tell him to share this friendly technique with other kids.
Second Parenting Tip for Children:
Tell her, “Praise your friend for improving in school work or sports.” Every child likes a “pat on the back” for trying to improve. Your daughter can give that pat with encouraging words like, “You got a perfect score on your spelling test. You sure know how to kick the ball. You climbed the tree higher than the other kids.” Words of praise help friends try to do even better.
Your daughter won’t be saying, “Nobody likes me.” Your child will enjoy helping her friend feel good about herself. The other child will appreciate being her friend.
Parenting Tips for Teaching Social Skills:
Look for ways to praise your child. Praise your child with words like, “You cleaned up your toys and organized them so well.
I like how much effort you put into your homework. No wonder you’re getting good grades.
You pleased me, when you took the time to read to your little brother.”
Notice how your sincere praise encourages her to do even better. Tell her to use honest praise with friends too. They’ll love her for it.
Third Parenting Tip for Children:
Take turns playing each other’s games. Kids don’t like kids who have to be first or insist only playing their games. If your child won’t play other kids’ games, he won’t have many friends. Your son can learn to ask, “What do you want to play.” He can learn to tell himself, “This will be fun.”
The other kids will enjoy your child because he’s a good sport. He won’t be saying, “Nobody likes me.” His friends will enjoy playing their games and his games.
Parenting Tips for Teaching Social Skills:
Train each of your children to take turns choosing which board games to play on Family Night. Talk about fairness. Teach them the importance of positive self talk like, “This is fun. I’m a good sport by playing my sister’s game. I’m not the king of the universe. They don’t have to play my games every time.”
Solutions for Loneliness:
If you teach your children to see things from another’s point of view, praise their friends, and take turns playing each other’s games, they won’t be saying, “Nobody likes me.” They won’t be feeling the poverty of loneliness and being unloved. They will feel the joy of belonging. You can teach them the social skills they need. Why not start today?
By: Jean Tracy About the Author:
Jean Tracy, MSS, publishes a
FREE Parenting Newsletter. Subscribe and receive 80 fun activities to share with your children.
Jean’s Social Skills Kit for Kids includes 50 Skills to help your child fit in. No more loneliness. Lots more friends. Get yours today.
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Dec
13
1. Tell your child that you love them EVERY day.
2. Show your child that you love them EVERY day with lots of hugs, kind words and physical attention.
3. Show interest in what your child is learning.
4. Let your child teach you.
5. Avoid comparing your child to others.
6. Encourage your child to read to you.
7. Develop a consistent and effective discipline plan.
8. Bring a solution as well as a problem.
9. Children must learn to feel good about themselves and believe they can succeed, and you must also allow your child to fail.
10. Teach them the value of money.
11. Show them you are the parent (not the friend).
12. Pick and choose your conflicts.
13. Have lots of “quick” conversations (travelling to school, to the shops, at bedtime).
14. Teach them to value time (let them see you reading, being creative, gardening etc.
15. When you make a promise, be sure to follow it through.
16. Allow them to think for themselves.
17. Model what it is to communicate openly, honestly and with respect.
18. Praise your child’s kindness to others.
19. Read bedtime stories as often as possible.
20. Get physical with your child (hug, tickle, hold hands)
21. On occasions put yourself in the child’s shoes - think as they may think, feel as they may feel, see the world through their eyes.
22. Let dinner times be a time for catching up on the day’s events.
23. Be aware of your child’s feelings and limitations.
24. Let them know they can go to you when in search of comfort.
25. Just spend time with your children, allowing them to be themselves.
26. Encourage their enthusiasm.
27. Teach your children about their heritage in fun and exciting ways, such as dressing up, cooking, dancing, listening to music.
28. All pitch in - A child is never too young to learn that team effort makes many jobs easier and faster - and often more fun.
29. We all make mistakes, learn to tell your child “I’m sorry” - this way they will grow to admit their own mistakes.
30. Tell them “that’s enough” - noise, television, playing, arguing, sweets, etc.
31. Discuss sex and sexuality in age appropriate terms with your child.
32. It’s important to encourage in children a sense of pride in them self
33. Children are our future - when we teach them well they will be the leaders of their life.
34. Remember to fit the method of discipline to the child’s age and abilities.
35. If verbal communication fails, write a note (this can open doors).
36. Get to know your child’s friends.
37. Ask your child where they are going and who with.
38. Be a good listener - ask and encourage questions.
39. Include your child in family decisions.
40. Be a living example of your value system. Show the honesty, generosity and openness you want your child to have.
41. Examine your own behaviour.
42. Catch your child doing things right.
43. Listen to your gut instincts.
44. Take care of yourself and your needs so you are better prepared to take care of the needs of your child.
45. Let your child take responsibility for their own actions.
46. Take care of the every day essential things - Young children need nutritious food, enough sleep, safe places to play, and regular medical care.
47. Discuss your expectations with your child. They may not agree, but they need to know what is expected of them.
48. Remember, making mistakes is part of the learning process - don’t criticise.
49. Make the home as happy a place as it can be.
50. Make your own list, adding to this, of how you can be the best parent you can.
By: Hyacinth Fraser About the Author:
All about relationships
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Hyacinth is a Master Practitioner of NLP and a Master Hypnotherapist. She is a Coach, Consultant and Trainer. Highly regarded and ensures that her solutions are informative, exciting and presented in such a way to ensure all learning styles are catered for. She works with personnel at the highest levels in the private, public and voluntary sectors, up to and including members of the board.
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Dec
11
Raising children as a single parent can be a tedious and stressful job. You are supposed to perform two roles at the same time; one of the caring mother and the other of the strict and providing father. Parenting is a difficult enough job even with two parents. On your own,it is quite like a juggling act. Trying to keep the equilibrium is difficult.
As a single parent you can feel overwhelmed, overloaded and stressed out by the dual responsibility of being both father and mother. (as far as that is humanly possible). For a proper balance, it is essential for you to monitor your time wisely.
In a single parent family, it is generally seen that the child and the parent behave as equal partners, or friends, if you like.. Maintaining this kind of relationship of equality is a big mistake, which often leads to serious family problems as your child may not always get the feeling of security that a home is supposed to provide. You should clearly define the boundaries of how far they can go. The children must understand that you are the adult, senior to them and more experienced. Therefore they must listen to you. By imposing discipline you are clearly defining guidelines for the behavior expected of them.
Children of a single parent generally long for security and stability in their home. It is the up to you to nurture your home in such a way that children find it a secure and stable place. As children of single parents they have generally faced death or divorce of a parent in their family at quite a tender age and they can feel quite a bit insecure. It is your job to make them feel safe.
You should constantly make them aware of your love for them. It is important for the well being of your children that you take proper emotional and physical care of yourself. As you often have to deal with working, as well as caring for the children and looking after the home, you need to spend some time to de-stress on a regular basis.
For relief from the home front you can hire a baby sitter, or sometimes share this responsibility with other moms in a similar situation. Special attention should be given to proper diet, sleep, exercise and stress management through meditation or other relaxation techniques. If you are under stress, your attitude or behavior with your children is definitely going to be affected adversely.
It is essential for you to maintain a good relationship with your neighbors, so that if needed at any time you can seek help, or even just have someone to talk to when times are tough, you are feeling lonely or crying out for some adult conversation.
Single parenting is a totally different world compared to regular parenting, as you have to adjust to the responsibilities of both the father and the mother. It is essential for you to keep your cool, not always an easy thing to do even in the best of situations.
You should not hesitate to seek advice from professionals if you feel the need. They can help you find appropriate solutions to specific problems that may come up
By: Marie R About the Author:
Making Money
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