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Do your children’s Monday morning moods seem to last till Friday morning? Well, you are not alone. The glazed over eyes, known as the “look,” and unemotional tone is not because your children are lazy. They are just tired. Early school times and lack of sleep cause children to be pretty grumpy in the morning.
Lack of sleep also makes children less interested in eating breakfast, which is said to be the most important meal of the day. Children would rather get a few extra minutes of sleep instead of waking up early to eat breakfast. The Scholastic website tells parents children need fuel for their brain, and that fuel is food. Food provides the energy necessary to have a productive day. Scholastic also provides a helpful list of breakfast foods to start your child’s day.
Help your children out by buying breakfast food they can eat on the go, or have something waiting for them when they come to the kitchen. Instead of giving them a bowl of cereal filled with sugar, try giving them a healthier option. Some quick, healthy breakfast options are yogurt with fresh fruit and wheat germ (a healthy substitute for granola), a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter, or a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of fat-free skim milk.
Sleep for Kids, a service of the National Sleep Foundation, says children need 10-11 hours of sleep every night. The website also gives a good list of tips to help students get a healthy amount of sleep, such as removing TVs and computers from their bedrooms. Games, movies, and TV shows are addictive. When these items are not monitored, children may waste hours of much needed sleep on technology. Help remove the distractions, so your children will get a good night’s rest.
Mornings may not be the best time to have a deep conversation with your children because they are not fully awake, so don’t make matters worse by trying to force conversations on major topics and lots of questions. Dinner time and later in the evening is a better time for deep conversation.
Support your children’s education by teaching them time management. Give them set times to watch TV and play video games, or make sure all their homework is done before they spend time on these activities.
Your children’s education is very important-especially at a young age, so help them perform at their full potential. A simple good night’s rest, and a full belly in the morning will truly affect how a child performs in school.
Chances are you have one of his books in your house. Or you have fond memories of reading one of his books as a child. The National Education Association’s Read Across America coincides each year with Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2 and is designed to honor children’s literature and its importance in encouraging children to read.
While Dr. Seuss’s birthday is often celebrated in your primary children’s classrooms, you can also celebrate at home! Here’s how:
- Read a Dr. Seuss book each day of the week, March 2 through 6.
- Visit the Seussville website to find some great online games and activities or to print coloring and activity pages.
- Send a reading e-card to your favorite teacher or young reader, or print out a bookmark, all courtesy of Reading Rockets .
- Watch an interview with Audrey Geisel (Mrs. Dr. Seuss) to gain some insight into her husband’s writing style.
- View a collection of activities and trivia about Read Across America from Apples 4 the Teacher.
Most of all, just celebrate reading! Turn off the television and read with your family!
Being a parent can be a difficult job that seems to get more challenging every year. Your once-loving child has grown into a young adult who is now challenging your authority and pushing for more independence. Understanding that this is part of the growing-up process can help you get through the difficult times, but don’t overlook the simple things you can do to help develop a healthy relationship.
Don’t be afraid to be a parent; your kids already have friends. Though children often deny it, they need and want boundaries that will help them feel safe and secure. As much as possible, your home should be a safe haven from all the confusion they face on a daily basis.
Here are some helpful tips that can help you get through these years:
- Eat meals together as a family—this can be especially challenging if activities overlap into the dinner hour, so you may need to make some compromises.
- Initiate conversations and keep the lines of communication open. Put boundaries on the use of electronic devices if necessary.
- Tell your child you love him—and say it often.
- Listen to your child and try to hear what he’s not saying as well as what he is saying.
- Allow your child to transition from parental discipline to self-discipline by allowing him to appropriately negotiate rules.
Most importantly, be a positive influence in your child’s life. Look for those moments that can build closeness and keep communication open. It won’t be long before your child will be gone, building a life for himself.