Back to School!

Many of you mommy's may have kiddos headed back to school or going for the first time.  My boys are not old enough yet, but I know I will probably be a mess when the day comes.  Seeing all of the pictures and posts on my Facebook feed about kiddos getting ready for their first day of school, and I can't help but remember how I felt when it was time to hit the books again.

I LOVED going to school.  And it all started with buying new school supplies.  I thoroughly enjoyed picking out new folders and notebooks, a backpack and a lunchbox.  Everything fresh, everything new, everything so full of possibilities.  This didn't stop once I graduated high school.  I still loved preparing for classes when I started and the bonus was that I got to do it twice a year instead of once.  I really think this is part of why I continued in my education and am now working toward my PhD.  And I am really looking forward to buying supplies for my oldest son when he starts kindergarten next year. Yes, I'm a dork, I know.

But I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind parents to keep communicating with your kiddos once your schedule fills up.  It can be easier to talk and spend time together in the summer when everything is relaxed.  And it can be easy to forget to ask your children, "How was your day?" and actually listen to the response once school (and extracurricular activities) begin.

This is important not just to keep a strong bond with your kids.  Bullying is an issue that parents need to be aware of.  I know that there are some people who do not think bullying is a problem.  They say things like, "I was bullied and I turned out just fine," or "Kids are just too sensitive these days."  While these things may be true, bullying today has taken forms that a lot of people probably never imagined.  Kids have access to computers, the internet, and smart phones, all of which were not around when I was little.  And it's a lot easier to say mean things when you're hiding behind a computer and an ambiguous screen name.

I have included some links below for people who are curious or if you suspect your child might be bullied or might be a bully.  Both sides of the coin are an issue and should be dealt with.  I am not going to tell you how to deal with it because everyone knows their own child best and should deal with it the way you see fit.  Just make sure if your kiddo starts trying not to go to school (says they are sick all the time, just don't want to go, get very upset when they are left at school) and other issues have been ruled out, it may benefit you to ask them if they are being bullied.  I learned the hard way to listen to my boys; I hope you don't have to.

 http://www.pacer.org/bullying/

http://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/at-school/

http://www.violencepreventionworks.org/public/bullying.page