Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe & Successful School Year

Kids will hopefully be excited about returning to school, to see their friends and look forward to new classes they may have been thinking about during the summer. Now is the time for parents to do their homework, research to ensure parents and kids have a successful school year, from elementary to high school.
1. There are hundreds of websites that offer ideas and recipes for healthy lunches and snacks, you can even find some here: www.FloridaSpaGirls.net on the Food, Glorious Food page. Its always worth the time and energy to explore healthy snacks and lunches, even dinners, grocery lists can be downloaded. Having healthy meals gives kids and adults, a better chance in studying and work. 
2. The new school year is just around the corner, so now would be a good time to get a physical for your child(ren). This is great opportunity to get your child's eye's checked as well. Whether or not your kids are going to be in sports, you will feel better knowing they have a clean bill of health. Many chiropractors offer sports physicals as well. 
3. Get a new calendar for at home, one for you (and significant other) and your child should get an agenda at the beginning of the school year. It will save everyone time and headaches later by comparing schedules several times per week to keep track of projects, sports, hobbies, extra-curricular activities, etc. Sometimes you might even want to color code (different highlighters) your schedule either by child or by activity.
4. I find its also helpful to plan the night before your outfit, even for adults, saves time in the closet from deciding what to wear at the last minute. For kids, when they are younger, give them an option and have it ready, same goes for lunches. Prepare the night before.
5. Going along with scheduling; it helps to go through your child's backpack and papers to see what's going on, because we know how they "forget". When we plan in advance we can be more successful. More and more teachers are giving parents a heads-up about projects. This gives them time to purchase or find the supplies they need and help their child for the overall project. Break the project down into steps with your child so they can see how to plan and work won't pile up and become stressful. Also gives you time for a backup plan.
6. It's also worth going to the Parents Open House to meet the teachers. Knowing your child's teacher will help you during the school year. Keep their name and contact information in a safe, easy to access place in case you need to get in touch with them.
7. Talk with your child about how they will be getting to and from school and what to do in an emergency. If they are walking, riding their bike, taking the bus or a carpool. Be sure to communicate with the school too, in case you are running late. Keep school's phone number in your cell phone or in your purse/wallet, etc.
8. Enroll your child in an after school activity. Keeps them involved, stimulated and gives them a break from study. They may make new friends.
9. Get to know your child's friends and meet their parents. 
10. Spend time with your child everyday, even if its just to go over homework, or ask how a test went. More involvement with kids ensures they feel loved, safe and accepted.


I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about.