BACK TO SCHOOL
SURVIVING THE MADNESS WITH A CUP OF COFFEE AND A SMILE
It's that time of year again, folks. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and the sound of children's screams can be heard echoing throughout the neighborhood. That's right, it's back to school season. As parents, we all know the drill. We have to prepare our kids for the academic pressure, the social dynamics, and, of course, the active shooter drills. But fear not, my friends. With a little bit of humor and a whole lot of caffeine, we can survive this madness together.
Let's start with the dreaded active shooter drills. I mean, who doesn't love pretending to hide under a desk while a crazed gunman roams the halls? As parents, it's important to remind our children that these drills are just like fire drills or tornado drills. They're necessary for everyone's safety, but they're also a bit ridiculous. So, encourage your child to embrace the absurdity of it all. Maybe they can come up with a secret code word to shout out during the drill, like "banana hammock" or "pickle juice." It'll lighten the mood and make the whole experience a little less terrifying.
Now, onto homework. Ah, homework. The bane of every child's existence. As parents, it's our job to make sure our kids are staying on top of their assignments and projects. But let's be real, we all know that means we'll be doing half of it ourselves. So, why not make it a little more enjoyable? Turn it into a game. For every math problem they solve correctly, they get a gummy bear. For every paragraph they write for their English essay, they get to take a five-minute dance break. It'll make homework time a lot more fun and a lot less like pulling teeth.
Of course, we can't forget about bullying. As parents, it's important to teach our children how to stand up for themselves and how to be kind to others. But let's also teach them some witty comebacks for when they're faced with a bully. For example, if someone calls them a loser, they can respond with "at least I'm not a brussel sprout" or if someone makes fun of their outfit, they can say "I didn't realize we were in a fashion competition, but thanks for letting me know." It'll make your child feel empowered and it might even make the bully laugh.
Lastly, let's talk about mental health. It's no secret that school can be stressful for kids (and parents). It's important to encourage our children to take breaks and practice self-care. Maybe they can take a few minutes each day to color in a coloring book or listen to their favorite song. Or maybe they can take a bubble bath after a particularly rough day at school. And let's not forget about caffeine. A little bit of coffee never hurt anyone (except maybe their growth spurt).
So, there you have it folks. Back to school season doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. With some humor and some caffeine, we can survive anything that comes our way. Just remember to embrace the absurdity of it all and encourage your child to do the same.
How parents and adults can help the students in their lives succeed in school - Vox https://www.vox.com/even-better/23844294/parents-help-kids-school-homework-bullying-mental-health
A parent’s guide to K-12 school success http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/get-prepared-for-back-to-school-culture.html
