There are many ways a family can grow, and two of those ways are through adoption or foster care. With adoption, the goal is for the child to find a permanent home. With foster care, the goal is for the child to be temporarily cared for by the foster family until the child can return to their birthparents, or be adopted.

The thought of bringing a child into your home, whether through adoption or foster care, can be exhilarating, and can also raise a number of questions. You may be wondering if you are ready to welcome a child into your family through adoption, or if foster care may be a better option for you.

Paul Hemminger, assistant director at Isaiah’s Place in Troy, and Sarah Feine, youth specialist and family assessor at Focus on Youth in West Chester, offer tips for families considering taking this exciting, life-changing step toward adoption.

What should parents consider when thinking about adopting?

Feine: Parents should start with motivation. What is the motivation behind wanting to adopt? If their motivation is to grow their family, then adoption might be the right choice. Parents should consider the ongoing education they will need in order to be equipped to handle trauma responses from the child’s past. Just because a child is adopted does not mean they will not undergo stress, anxiety and behavioral concerns due to separation and loss. Parents should consider talking to their support systems to ensure they can provide a “village” for the child they welcome into their home.

Hemminger: Adoption can be difficult. What happens in the womb and beyond determines a lot of the stress resiliency and attachment levels. The bio-family of the adoptee is still in the background genetically, and sometimes physically or emotionally, influencing the child. There is a homing device in most, if not all, adoptees. They might be wondering, “Why didn’t you keep me?” or “Who are you?”

I would have long conversations with other parents who have adopted, and listen to podcasts about the ups and downs of adoption. This will help give you the highest probability of creating the best attachment for you and your future family member.

What are some first steps to take if you want to adopt?

Feine: Our agency is a foster care and adoption agency. We license families to foster to adopt, as well as adopt children who the county already has custody of in the community. If families are not wanting to foster, or not willing to accept siblings or older children, we would recommend they get licensed through a private adoption agency.

Hemminger: Look for an adoption agency, domestic or international, to begin the process. Through whichever entity you work with, you will decide all the characteristics of the child you are looking for. You can be very strict or very open.

How do you know if you are ready to adopt or become a foster parent?

Hemminger: No one really knows if they are ready. Ask lots of questions and begin by providing support to other foster families through Care Communities [teams of people who provide emotional, physical or financial support to a foster family]. Not everyone can foster, but everyone can do something for kids from hard places. Right now, the system is defined by “not enough.” We are here to work until there is more than enough.

Feine: If families are ready to adopt, parents will be on the same page about expectations and what’s ahead. Families will complete all training requirements, paperwork and interviews. Once a family is provided with a license, they are ready to foster or adopt.

“Every county has a number of children who need love, care and a home, whether that’s temporary or permanently,” Hemminger says. “We can solve the foster care crisis if we believe it’s possible, do our part and do it together. We can love those kids and guide them to healing. We need to understand the world of trauma-informed and trauma-skilled care. It’s imperative we lean into that wisdom shared by some of the greatest leaders and researchers of our time. This is a movement that requires all of us. Children are deeply suffering, and in whatever way we can, we can help. Just a meal, transportation, mentoring, tutoring or a place to lay their heads — you can lean in. You and the world will be better and transformed for it.”

The post The Adoption Option appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

Most parents would agree that the first few years of their child’s life seem to pass in the blink of an eye. Those wonderful, exciting and often sleepless days become weeks, and then years. And before you know it, you’re thinking about enrolling that baby in preschool.

While preschool was once thought of as an optional choice, research shows that this time leading up to kindergarten is absolutely crucial, and not just for learning ABCs. In fact, preschool matters for so many other reasons.

“It is hard for some to believe, but preschool is the foundation to which all other years of school are built upon,” says Renee Koschnick, founder and director of Little Acorn Academy in Dayton. “Just like with a house, you need a strong foundation; preschool is no different. It is a child’s first exposure to school and can set the tone for their educational career.”

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s important to send that baby of yours to school before kindergarten, here are four reasons why preschool matters for young children.

Preschool Builds Social Skills

When a child begins preschool, he is introduced to a brand-new environment that safely allows for social development. “An important part of preschool is teaching children about their emotions and how to navigate through them safely, kindly and appropriately,” Koschnick says.

While children might be comfortable in their home setting, or even at frequently visited places, preschool provides a new community environment where they can interact with unfamiliar children and adults. It’s in this environment that students learn “to listen to others as well as verbalize their own ideas, to make new friends, share, cooperate with other children and adults, and learn to become accountable for their actions,” Koschnick says. If you’re familiar with 3- and 4-year-olds, then you know that these skills typically are not strengths, but can absolutely be developed in preschool.

Preschool Nurtures a Child’s Natural Curiosity

Young children are notorious for asking, “Why?” This natural curiosity is not only explored in preschool, it’s encouraged. While many preschools do introduce some structure, even that structure tends to be open-ended to allow for questions to be asked and answered. “The more curious a child is, the more they will learn,” Koschnick says. “To foster a child’s curiosity is one of the most critical ways to create lifelong learners.”

Preschool encourages children to be curious, which allows them to learn, while also building confidence and decision-making skills. “Preschool is an ideal place to nurture curiosity — there are so many ‘first’ opportunities supported by incredible resources for discovery, outstanding teachers to guide and a world of literature to enrich,” Koschnick says.

Preschool Structures Learning Through Play

If you ask a young child what she loves to do, chances are she will answer with the word, “Play!” Like curiosity, play is a natural thing for early learners, which is why so many preschools structure their teaching through this favorite pastime. “Play is really how young children learn and have fun while doing it,” says Koschnick, and preschool provides that type of setting.

Especially in today’s society, quality playtime seems to be dwindling, but preschool reinforces and emphasizes it. Children need a chance to pretend, create and tell stories. “Play creates a fun and non-stressful environment in which students can strengthen academics, including number and letter recognition, and build a stronger vocabulary,” Koschnick says. “Play is also vital to practice necessary life skills, such as social development, being active, manners, compromise and working with others.”

Preschool Sets the Tone for a Child’s Future Education

Preschool is commonly thought of as preparation for kindergarten, and it is. When a child attends preschool, he enters elementary school with key skills already in place, such as following directions.

Beyond kindergarten, a positive preschool experience sets a child up for success all through schooling and even into college. Most importantly, preschool develops lifelong learners, which is a trait that will impact a child’s entire life.

“In early childhood, every experience offers a learning opportunity,” Koschnick says. “Preschoolers learn from everyone they talk to and play with, and every experience they have. Preschool is a perfect place for those encounters and experiences to happen.”

Preschool is a wonderful place for a child to learn ABCs, but there is so much more that happens during these early learning years. The baby and toddler phases pass so quickly, and the thought of sending a young child to preschool and into a new environment can be daunting. But it is in this safe, educational setting where children can develop crucial social skills, interact with new people and learn through play, while exploring those innate curiosities.

“Preschool teaches young children how to be learners, work through emotions, learn to pay attention and interact positively with their peers,” Koschnick says. Preschool matters for many reasons, and is a stepping-stone that leads to kindergarten and beyond, as it develops a love for learning in our eager, young children.

The post Why Preschool Matters appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

My daughter gave me my Father’s Day gift already and she doesn’t even know it.

It didn’t cost her a thing and it means everything in the world to me.

Ironically, she gave me the gift on her birthday. It wasn’t a material item, but it was something I needed and can use often.

I wished her a Happy Birthday on social media and after thanking me she casually mentioned that “I had always kind of been her hero!”

For a Dad it doesn’t get much better than that!

Especially a Dad who had been doubting himself lately. I felt my fathering skills had been slipping: I’ve been grumpier, more impatient and seemingly losing my touch as a good father to my daughter the last few months.

So, my daughter’s statement surprised me…but in a good way!

My daughter’s statement also did something else, it erased my self-doubt as a Dad and allowed me to realize that kids are often willing to overlook some of our flaws because they love us. My daughter’s statement not only made me feel great, it made me realize that she was thankful that I was her Dad.

I have never considered myself a Hero and still don’t. A hero has Super Powers, they save people and they wear tights and capes. I don’t have any Super Powers and if I wore tights I would send a lot of people running away in fear!

I’m just a Dad that really loves his kid and now that she gave me an unexpected early Father’s Day gift… I love her even more!

The post Surprise Father’s Day Gift appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

Starting kindergarten is a big step for little kids – and it can be hard to know when your child is ready for this new challenge. For some kids, another year in preschool will make the transition to kindergarten go much more smoothly. But for other students, this move is something they are already well prepared for. How can you know which path is best for your little learner? 

 Carrie Bucksath, pre-primary teacher at The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori in Madisonville, says schools can vary in what they are looking for when it comes to a child’s kindergarten readiness. “Academically, at our school, when deciding if a child is ready for kindergarten, the teacher will consider a variety of skills. The child should recognize basic shapes and colors. He/she should also be able to rote count, recognize number symbols to approximately twenty, and match the numbers and symbols correctly to at least ten.” Some letter name and sound recognition is a bonus. A child’s attention span and ability to stay on task are other factors to consider, too. 

Social and emotional maturity also play an important role in a child’s ability to be successful in kindergarten. Bucksath is interested to see if a student uses eye contact when greeting adults and other children, can speak clearly, and follow multi-step directions. “We look to see if a child is independent in caring for him/herself and in choosing and completing activities as well,” she says.   

No two children are exactly alike in their development, so drawing from the experience of your child’s preschool teacher for their insight on your child’s readiness for kindergarten can be very helpful.  

Laura Morgan, a kindergarten teacher at St. Thomas School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, says that the collaboration between preschool and kindergarten teachers is key when considering a move forward. Teachers at their school in both levels use a type of assessment called Brigance to help evaluate a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Morgan says, “In preschool, the preschool teacher gives the students an assessment at the end of the year to gauge whether or not they should move up into another preschool class or if they are ready for kindergarten.”  

Kindergarten teachers Alisa Forman, Darla Belcuore and Rachel Hebert at Hyde Park Public School say kindergarten readiness skills can include a child’s ability to: 

• Write their name 
• Hold and use scissors 
• Follow directions and complete a task 
• Use complete sentences to express thoughts, wants and needs  
• Take turns when playing games with peers 

They also say that in order to be successful in kindergarten, students should have some experience being away from their parents for several hours at time. Having familiarity with books, counting and interacting with peers are all helpful as well. It’s also important to remember that kindergarten is a time of immense growth for students – academically, socially and emotionally – and teachers are there to encourage and guide young learners along the way. 

Maybe one of the most important factors to having a positive experience in kindergarten is a child’s own eager anticipation of it. “As a kindergarten student walking in the door, we hope to see a child who is curious and has a willingness to learn,” says Bucksath.   

Determining when to move your child from preschool to kindergarten is an important decision. If you’re unsure of what the best call is for your student, talk with your student’s preschool teacher for their insights and experience. You can also reach out to your local elementary school and ask to speak with their staff about kindergarten readiness. Armed with this knowledge, and your unique understanding of your child, you’ll be equipped to make the most informed decision possible. 

The post Preschool or Kindergarten? appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

I get a monthly business magazine called Success.

It features people who are driven, creative and leaders in their respective fields.

The magazine puts an emphasis into what makes business leaders successful and what is important to them. I have received the magazine for three years now and I’ve noticed a trend. No matter how successful, hard working or high achieving these people are they still value family and appreciate life’s simple moments.

A few weeks ago, I gained a new understanding of what this means. I was dropping something off to my daughter at college. I arrived at her apartment and sent a text to her that I had arrived. She replied to let me know the door was open. I walked in and didn’t see her at first. Then I heard a voice calling: “I’m back in my bedroom!”.

I walked back and caught a glimpse of my daughter working on a lesson plan for her major (Early Childhood Education)

She sat legs crossed Indian style at her computer desk. She was dressed casually with a pony tail in her hair and an inquisitive look on her face. I took a snap shot in my mind and a hundred thoughts popped into my head at once.

I thought of how grown up and intelligent she looked and how I wished I could look that smart. I thought how quickly twenty-two years had passed and how it didn’t seem fair that her childhood was gone. I recalled the days when I looked at her and she was smiling up at me in her crib and now I saw her smile because her college homework was almost completed.

She looked so studious, put together and ready to tackle the future challenge of becoming a teacher.

I thought of how proud I was as a parent that she has gone through college successfully and that she has kept focused. She’s never strayed from the path of wanting to help children and be a teacher.

When she said hello and thanked me I noted the love and compassion in her voice and I thought of how lucky I was to have a daughter who has always cared about others.

I thought of so many things in the short time I was there and I won’t bore you with it all. Mostly, I thought of how much I love her and how grateful I am that my daughter has turned into such a great kid or I should say young adult.

Sometimes when you step back and take a close look at your kid you realize what real success is about. Real success is being the best parent you can be and getting a chance to enjoy the end result (A great kid). Real success is seeing that your kid will have a positive impact on young children’s lives. Real success is seeing that the baby you created twenty two years ago has become everything you hoped she would be (A tremendous person). It turns out I don’t need a magazine to tell me what success is about after all! It also turns out that the business leaders in Success magazine are right, you should value family (especially your children) and you should appreciate life’s simple moments.

The post Simple Success appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

As any parent of a new baby knows, you spend a lot of time at the pediatrician’s office, which is why finding someone you can rely on becomes so important. A good pediatrician not only answers all your questions, but also helps manage any niggling fears and concerns you have. What should parents be looking for when choosing someone to fulfill this important role? Here’s what a few of Dayton’s local experts have to say.

 Making a connection

The best relationships start from a place of trust and respect. Dr. David Roer, a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Dayton says, “Parents should look for a pediatrician that they feel will become ‘part of the family.’ Someone they can trust, can feel confident with, can believe is always looking out for the best interests of their children and will always be there to answer their questions.”

Dr. Michael Kessel, a pediatrician with PriMed Springboro Pediatrics, agrees. “You don’t necessarily need to have the same ideas, but your pediatrician should be someone with whom you feel comfortable asking questions and having discussions to provide the best care for your child.” Dr. Kessel recommends scheduling a pre-natal visit before the birth of your baby to ensure that the relationship will be a good fit.

Having an open line of communication is another important aspect of the parent-pediatrician relationship. Dr. Marie Seiler, a pediatrician at PriMed Springboro Pediatrics, says that parents should “establish rapport, ask questions freely and have a sense of trust with and compassion from their pediatrician.” She always advises patients to ask any question, no matter how silly it might seem. “Your concerns should be validated and you should be respected as you are an important person on the team that encourages wellness of your child.”

In the same vein, having a doctor who is a good listener is key. “Your pediatrician should listen to you and rely upon your observations and ability to recall important details about your child in order to assess his or her physical, mental and emotional health and recommend the safest and best treatments,” says Dr. Seiler. She recommends that parents look for qualities in their pediatrician that mesh with their own personalities.

When looking for a pediatrician, referrals from family and friends as well as internet research can help you find a good match. “As a parent, you are your child’s best advocate and it is important to do your research when looking for a provider for your child,” says Dr. Mulakkan Yohannan, a MEDNAX-affiliated neonatologist and NICU Director at Dayton Children’s Hospital. “With the world virtually at our fingertips, you can search for reviews of potential providers and their practices online. And don’t hesitate to ask friends, family and the community about their pediatric provider as they have personal interactions and can share feedback.” Dr. Yohannan also suggests parents consider the location of the practice and the ease with which appointments can be made when selecting a pediatrician.

Questions to ask:

 Coming prepared to a meeting with a potential pediatrician can make your visit as productive as possible. Drs. Roer, Kessel, Seiler and Yohannan suggest these questions to bring along to your appointment.

• Why did you decide to become a pediatrician? Do you have children yourself? Do you have any specialty areas of interest?
• Are you certified by the American Board of Pediatrics? Do you have an American Academy of Pediatrics Fellowship?
• How long have you been practicing?
• Do you have partners in your practice? If you are my child’s primary physician, how often will I see one of your partners?
• Do you see babies in the hospital when they are born or if they are ill?
• Do you offer any options for assistance with breastfeeding?
• What is your philosophy on antibiotics and immunizations?
• What hours/days is the office open? Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
• How do I contact you if we have an emergency? What about after hours or on the weekend?
• What hospital do you admit patients to?
• Do you have a 24/7 Nurse Line that I can contact for general questions?
• How far in advance do checkups have to be scheduled? Do you offer same-day sick appointments?
• Is there a separate waiting area for well and sick children?
• What types of testing are done in the office?
• (If you have a child with special needs): Are you connected to a subspecialty group or local children’s hospital

Finding the right pediatrician means you will always have a trusted partner in the care and well-being of your child. With a little advance planning and research, you can make the best choice for your family both now and in the future.

The post Selecting a Potential Pediatrician appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

Throughout life parenting is about a push in one form or another.

Life can’t even begin without a big push from a child’s mother.

That first push may be the most important, but it is only one of many. As your child grows up you find yourself pushing them many times as a parent.

You push your child in a stroller, so that they can see a little more of the world.

You push your child on a swing, so they can have fun and you can hear their laughter.

You push doors open for them until they learn to do it on their own.

You push the right foods towards them so they will learn to eat properly.

You push things away from them that are dangerous or harmful.

You may have to push them gently into the classroom when they begin their first day of school.

You might push them into a sport or activity that makes sense for them, just make sure it does.

With each step in childhood you give your kid a push here and a push there. Some pushes are little and others bigger. Some kids require more pushes than others, but the goal for each parent is the same. Keep pushing your child forward in the path of life.

As your child gets older and nears adulthood the pushing gets a bit trickier. You have the responsibility to push your child in the direction of what is right and away from what’s wrong. This is happening while they are starting to push away. They want to discover the world and they feel a need to form their own opinion on things. This is the time to push carefully and you must sometimes push gently and subtly. During this time if you push too hard you may end up pushing them into a bad decision. It’s the time when they think they know it all and their attitude may end up pushing your buttons. If this happens, don’t push the panic button. Instead, remember what you went through as a teen and even as a young adult. You can always ask for advice from other parents who have been there before or read books on parenting advice (there are plenty of them out there).

Once your child becomes an adult, gets married and has a life of their own you have to be the most careful about pushing. This is a time when you still want to push but you need to back away a bit and just be there for them. You’ll try to push your thoughts about making them a better person, push ideas on how they can live their life or you’ll even try to push your adult child into a guilt trip or two. Once your child hits adulthood you need to stop pushing them so much and you need to start pushing yourself into becoming a better, wiser and perhaps more caring person. It’s the time when you have to recognize the difference between a push that’s a loving nudge and a push that’s a frustrated shove.

Parenting is about pushing in the early years. You hope to do your best and that you push your child in the right direction. Once your child is an adult, parenting is less about the push and more about the embrace. Embrace the time your child shares with you, embrace their uniqueness and embrace the positive gifts they share with you and the world. Embrace the decisions they’ve made (they have learned from them), embrace their spouse (they love them) and embrace their children (they raise & adore your grandkids). Embrace each of your children equally and love them all unconditionally. Once they’ve grown up and you’ve grown older embrace your kids more and stop pushing, because every one knows if you push something too hard you just end up pushing it away!

The post When Push Comes to Shove appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

Tipp City is appropriately named since it really tips the hat of Dayton just north off 75.  This town makes it perfect for those that want their own little town that has everything you need within a stone’s throw yet isn’t too far from Dayton to enjoy the sports games, colleges, and festivals.  Being right off 75, makes Tipp City very convenient to everything.

This town has wonderful schools that exude parental involvement, school pride and Principals willing to bend over backwards to keep the staff and students happy. The students really get to shine on the field and off the field with so much that is offered.  Having great schools is just one of the many assets of living in this town.

Keeping the city fresh is important and Tipp does this with a great mix of local shops.  There are a lot of mom and pop shops including places like Cairn’s Toy Store which houses Melissa & Doug toys, Thomas & Friends trains, and Lego sets and That Place on Main that sells boutique style clothes and Toms shoes to name a few things.

Along with the local shops, there are plenty of local eateries that dole out deliciousness like Hickory River Smokehouse with its amazing BBQ and Coldwater Café (located in an old bank) with its top notch carrot cake.  With bike paths, railroads, scenic river views, and a Family Aquatic Center- Tipp City really is picturesque and offers everything a town just around the 10,000 mark for population could need.  It is a big city with a small down to earth homey feel that offers friendly faces and beauty all around.

Each of the seasons have something to show off in this city.  Summer offers great canoe trips down the canal, fall brings visitors by the galore to come enjoy Tipp City’s largest event- The Mum Festival, catch Bluegrass or Big Bands at the Tipp Roller Miller in winter months and then as weather thaws out- plan a picnic at the “Roundhouse” which is a favorite spot for local families.  Boasting several buildings on the National Historic Register, Tipp city has found a way to mix modern with vintage for just the right feel.  Today we salute you Tipp City!  Get more information on this great city at www.visittippcity.org.

The post Why Tipp City, OH Rocks! appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

I lived in a nineteen foot camper with my family for seventeen days and lived to tell about it. It was touch and go for a little bit, but we made it through.

Remember a few months ago when I told you about our new camper, Betsy Ross, and our big summer travel plans? I was so excited.

I was so naive.

LIVING IN A CAMPER FOR SEVENTEEN DAYS WITH YOUR FAMILY IS HARD.

I’m not going to lie, Pinterest, Instagram, and beautifully-styled blogs got me really pumped to travel the west with my little family. We were even taking our dog. It was going to be magical, serene, and I was going to come back wise and rested.

Instead, it was really stressful with a little magic thrown in for fun.

Meaning it was just like real life.

Seventeen days in a camper with your family doesn’t leave much room for downtime or quiet time. At home, I can easily send my kids to their room, to the basement, or to the backyard to play for a little break. In the camper, they don’t have a room and shutting them in the bathroom, while a fantasy I contemplated, probably won’t really work. Sending them outside–that sounds like it should work–but in unfamiliar places, I can’t just send my kids out to play without supervision. It’s just not safe. So there goes any moment of silence for seventeen days.

We did go see a movie one day just so I could have an-hour-and-a-half break where no one talked to me. I also stress ate a large popcorn while there. No big deal.

While traveling, we stayed at KOA Kampgrounds around the country and they do have tons of great kid-friendly options available so you can have some space from your family. I don’t think that’s really their motto or anything they advertise, but they should. Awesome playgrounds, walking trails, swimming pools, and more; some even have these amazing jumping pillows that are a combination of giant trampoline and jump house. The kids loved them and so did we. So we never ran out of things to do while camping, we just ran out of places to take breaks. (Although, all those amenities are great for wearing your kids out and putting them to bed early so you can sit around the fire and have an adult beverage.)

MORE FROM MARY GRAHAM: No more telling my daughter she killed the dog and other resolutions

I mean, parents need breaks, right?!

But don’t you worry, we did have lots of fun on our trip as well. We got to see Mt. Rushmore, climb in Badlands National Park, creek stomp in Yellowstone, and hike in the Grand Tetons. We ate delicious food, laughed a whole lot, and explored some pretty spectacular parts of our country.

We traveled over 4,700 miles in seventeen days. We visited nine states and ate ice cream in most of them. We made great memories and learned so much about traveling together as a family. It seriously was the trip of a lifetime.

I want to go again soon. I want to pack up the camper, hit the open road, and explore new areas. But maybe less states and shorter trips next time? We were never in one spot more than two nights and that’s a lot of setting up and breaking down a camper. Those are the parts no one mentions on all those cute internet posts about their wonderful life on the road. I’m not sure how people do it full time. Although, I know they aren’t as rushed to go from one place to the next and a slower pace would definitely make traveling easier.

I think this happens with dreams and plans a lot. We want so badly for them to happen and when they do, they’re not exactly as great as we thought they would be. They’re not bad and they’re still wanted, but they’re just, um, more, uh, real.

Real life, why you have to be so real, huh?

Mary Graham is a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dog, Blue. During the day, she teaches high school English and at night (after the girls are asleep), she writes for The Huffington Post, Pearson’s Teachability, For Every Mom, her own blog, TrustyChucks.com, and various other print and digital outlets. Mary’s work has also appeared on HuffingtonPost.com. In her spare time, she likes to read, travel, eat chocolate, run half marathons, and then eat more chocolate.

The post A true account: Real life family road trippin’ – Dayton Parent Magazine appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.

That back to school ride is sometimes a rough one, amiright parents? From the lists of school supplies to the new schedule adjustments to that general feeling of overwhelm, the back to school season also tends to be laden with first-day prep instead of tips for year-long maintenance.

Not sure about you, but it’s around the second week of the year that I notice my kids’ demeanor change – they’re getting into their new routines but the anxiety of the year ahead is just settling in. Assignments are being laid out. Expectations are set. And suddenly the 180+ days of school are an overwhelming mass of jitters.

Here are 3 ways we are beating back to school jitters this year:

1. Getting organized together. Normally our family holds a touchbase each Sunday to discuss things like schedule, budget and any extras we need to keep each other in the loop on. But this year I’m making a conscious effort to hold dedicated, 5-minute-per-child daily meetings. It’ll be the perfect time to go over their homework folders, read through teacher emails together and get organized. This way both kids see that we’re prioritizing what needs done and puts us on that same path together.

FROM OUR SISTER SITE: How do you prep for back to school?

2. Listening. As parents, we have a tendency to ask a million questions and quickly jump into Dear Abby-style advice mode. But do we actually listen? This is a trait I’ve personally challenged myself with this school year: Let go the urge to pipe in every 2 minutes when the kids are digesting their day and really hear what they’re saying. I know this allows them the opportunity to outwardly problem-solve and reinforces the independence, assurance and strength traits I want them to have.

3. Take everything one piece at a time. Seriously how easy is it to look at Boy Scout signups and soccer practice nights and homework folders and suddenly feel paralyzed with all that needs to be done? This is where I hear my own mom’s soothing voice in the back of my head telling me to breathe, breathe. If the kids see me stressing about activities and homework, then they will too. I am setting the precedence early this year: Tackle one thing at a time. My plan is again, to dedicate a few minutes per item so I’m not looking like a computer with 400 browser windows open. End goal: Kids learn additional organization tactics and channel Gma’s breathe, breathe mantra when there’s a lot to get done.

So with those 3 tips under wraps, tell me: How do you handle the back to school jitters at home? As parents we can learn from each other and lend support where needed so feel free to share in the comments below. Happy back to school-ing everyone!

Jeanine Bobenmoyer is an explorer by heart. Her enthusiasm for trying new things drives her family out into the Indianapolis community as often as possible. Her son Hunter may become the next Bo Jackson and daughter Emerson is headed for Broadway or Harvard. Or both.

When Jeanine is not checking out the latest hotspot, she puts on her hat as the Chief Mom Officer for theCityMoms, the largest support and social network for moms in Indianapolis. She guest writes for Hamilton County Tourism, Inc., loves yoga, University of Michigan football, and trail running. She’d also drop everything if Eddie Vedder asked her to join Pearl Jam on tour. Find Jeanine on Twitter and Instagram.

The post 3 ways to beat back to school jitters appeared first on Dayton Parent Magazine.