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Dear
Friends,
Back to School... (part 1)
If
you are like me, you are asking yourself the question... "what has happened to the summer?" Your
kids have probably been quite busy this summer with camps, VBS,
vacationing, or just hanging out at the pool or with friends. But
in a few weeks, school will begin again. It's time to help
them develop the correct habits needed to be successful this year at
school.
Hopefully this
article will help you and your kids take advantage over
the next couple of weeks - depending on what date school reconvenes in
your area - to get back into a routine.
- Diet is
important. Junk food, especially anything that's really greasy or
overly sweet - French fries, ice cream, doughnuts - should be
curtailed. These foods frequently cause indigestion and nightmares.
Anything containing caffeine including soft drinks and chocolate bars, should be avoided, especially towards
evening. Caffeine can cause insomnia and disrupted sleep.
- Set a
definite "Lights Out" time. Remember children need at
least 8 hours sleep and 9 or 10 hours is even better. Decide on the
bedtime hour using the amount of sleep needed and the time the
children have to get up as guidelines.
- At least an
hour before the above time, stimulating TV shows and video games
should be turned off. It's time to wind down and relax. If they're
outdoors involved in sports or strenuous play, this is the time they
should come indoors.
- A snack of
milk and a cookie, or crackers and cheese or honey will help promote
sleep.
- Shortly
before bedtime, a warm bath is helpful. A bath is preferable to a
shower. The stinging needles of water from the shower can be
stimulating.
- After the
snack and bath, children can settle down with a book, or, in the
case of younger children, perhaps parents can read to them.
- Then, at the
appointed time, lights out. No argument.
Start now and get
them into a set routine. Then, when school days arrive, they'll be rested
and ready to tackle the return to classes far more easily than if no
routine had been established.
Until
next time,
Bruce McCracken
Founder, House on the Rock Family Ministries
_____________________________________________________________________
If you
found this information helpful, we have made other Pebbles of Truth articles
available on our website (www.hotrfm.org). Each month we feature
articles on the topics of: men's issues, marriage, blended families,
parenting, and church ministry to families. You will also find a
great deal more information about House on the Rock Family Ministries!
Thanks for visiting.
Please
feel free to forward this to friends and family … we just ask that you
keep it intact … thanks
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