September is a crisp, exciting time for many of us. It’s a time of new beginnings and is often more the start of the “new year” than is January 1. It’s a good time to think about how your life at home “works” for you and your family.

You can eliminate many hassles if youthink through the ways you can build a “support system” at home so that yourchildren can make the most of their school experiences. Here are some things to think about.

Are Everyone’s Clothes ReadyFor School?

Every time we face a new situation, our clothes become especially important to us.
“Putting our best foot forward” is a way of doing our best to see that we create a positive impression on others and feel good about ourselves.

Try to help your children choose clothes that will make them feel good about themselves.
Sturdy, easy-care, mix-and-match clothes are often the smartest buys. To save money, try to buy no more clothing than is needed at one time. Then you will be able to purchase a new item now and then to add interest and spark to the wardrobe. Looking good and feeling good in the clothes you are wearing can have an important effect on your behavior.

Can You Make It Easier to Get Good, Healthy Meals For Everyone?
• Are the children helping with meal preparation and cleanup in ways they are capable?
• Good healthy breakfasts that will give everyone the go-power to make it until lunch don’t need to be a lot of work.
• Fix a week’s worth of healthy meals that are quick to fix. You may be able to use some of the ideas listed below, or modify them to suit your family’s taste and budget. Some main-dish breakfast ideas:

• Oatmeal, instant or regular, with raisins or chopped apple.
• Cheese melted on warm bread, muffin, or roll.
• Peanut butter on toast.
• Hot soup.
• Milkshake with low-fat milk and fruit.
• Yogurt, fruited or plain.
• Warm or cold leftovers, like macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, or pizza.

Add:
• Fruit or juice.
• A glass of milk.
• Bread, toast, rolls, topped with jam.

Do You Have A System That Works For You?

Morning hours and meal preparation times are pressure points for nearly everyone.
• Night baths or showers will often give bathrooms more “elasticity” in the busy morning hours.
• If people choose their clothes the night before, they can get dressed quicker in the morning.
• When you reach those times in the day when you are too tired, don’t feel guilty about not being the “perfect parent.” None of us are. Tell your child about your lack of energy and your need to have some time to relax before you can get back to moving again.

Find a routine that works for you.
Children thrive on routines. They like knowing what is expected of them. A lot of hassles are eliminated when you don’t have to have daily arguments about what time to go to bed, etc.

Is Everyone Getting A Good Dose Of “Quality Time” Each Day?
Research shows that it is not the quantity of time that you spend with your child, but the quality of time that really makes the difference.

Make the most of the time you spend with your children by:
• Talking and listening with your full attention
• Sitting or standing near each other
• Keeping eye contact
• Touching Don’t miss chances to be close to your children in warm and loving ways.

 

TEN TRICKS FOR GETTING THE FAMILY UP AND OUT IN THE MORNING 1. Give each child his or her own alarm clock. Set the clocks for the little ones and show the older ones how to do it themselves. 2. Play loud, cheerful music about ten minutes after all the alarms should have gone off. 3. Wake up half an hour earlier than the rest of the family so that your morning can be less hectic. 4. Stagger wake-up times if there is only one bathroom. 5. Prepare quick and easy breakfasts. 6. Do whatever you can the night before — set the breakfast table, prepare lunch foods, arrange who needs rides where, set out everyone’s clothes. 7. Make a “launching pad” near the door where family members can place their books and other items to be taken to work or school. Get everyone in the habit of checking the launching pad before leaving the house. 8. Keep all daily supplies (such as toothbrush and tooth paste, soap, washcloth and towel, mirror, comb and brush) where the children can reach them easily. 9. Have each child make a list of the things he or she has to do every morning. The list might include: Make bed, pack lunch, feed dog. 10. When it’s time for the first person in the family to leave each morning, call a quick family huddle at the “launching pad,” have a group hug and wish everyone a good day. It’s a great way to get launched each day! This list was adapted from an Woman’s Day.

Patricia Tanner Nelson, Ed.D.
Extension Family & Human Development Specialist

Information adapted from materials prepared by Dr. William J. McCormick, Delaware Department of Education, from Making the Best of Schools (pg. 231-232) by Jeannie Oakes and Martin Lipton and from “Family times” developed by the University of Wisconsin-Extension and used with permission from the Wisconsin Clearinghouse, Box 1468, Madison, WI 53701.

Want more information? Visit the Extension Cord at http://ag.udel.edu/extension/fam/ – - Extending the University to YOU!

Or contact your county Extension office: New Castle: 461 Wyoming Road, Newark, DE 19716-1303, Tel. 302-831-8965; Kent: 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901, Tel. 302-730-4000; Sussex Research & Education Center, 16684 County Seat Hwy., Georgetown, DE 19947, Tel. 302-856-7303.

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