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Mental Health
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September is typically a month of transition for families as the long sunny days of summer quickly give way to backpacks and school schedules. While most of us usually wait until the official “new year” in January to take stock and make resolutions, the back-to-school season is a great opportunity to set intentions for the months ahead. In fact, the process of developing goals can be just as valuable and rewarding as achieving them.
For children and teens the act of formulating personal expectations provides a rich opportunity for discussion. Such a conversation about the upcoming academic year will allow you to hear what your kids are looking forward to, and more likely, what they are less excited about. Whether they are focused on grades, friends, sports, or extracurricular activities, opening a dialogue by placing emphasis on their experiences will set the stage for ongoing discussions throughout the year.
Here, it is important to keep in mind that children’s goals may not always reflect the things that parents deem important. Something that your son or daughter views as extraordinarily important may seem far less vital than homework or study habits; however, allowing your children to voice their opinions and then receive your validation and support truly sends the message that you respect their individuality and appreciate their ambitions. This is where the act of outlining a few seemingly simple goals transforms into something much richer as your attention is focused on the things that hold the most weight in your children’s eyes.
So amidst the notebooks, assignment pads, and new class rosters, take a moment to set intentions as a family and share in what is truly important to your kids. At the same time, share your own goals and desires for the next few months. Once again, this allows you to model self-awareness and personal responsibility while sending the message that you are available and ready to listen even when the back- to-school hustle-bustle is as loud as ever.
Dr. O'Leary is a clinical psychologist who
specializes in conducting neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological assessments with children
(age 2-adolescence). She also provides cognitive-behavioral therapy for children with various
attentional, behavioral, emotional, and developmental struggles. She can be reached at (845)-313-9049.
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College
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1.They write unoriginal college essays.
Every year, admissions officers read hundreds of essays about the same topics, such as “how my work on Student Government at Ossining High School taught me the value of hard-work and responsibility,” and “how my volunteer work in the Appalachian mountains showed me the importance of helping others.” Successful applicants avoid clichéd topics and instead write revealing, original essays that only they could tell.
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College
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For parents of high school kids: How you can stay focused on what’s really important in testing & college admissions
Dinner parties around here this spring and summer aren’t what they used to be.
In many parental circles, dinner parties that used to be a time to enjoy good food, good friends, and good bonding over the joys of parenting have turned into college preparatory competitions. Instead of regaling each other with tales of the harrows of driving lessons or the preparation for first dates, parents are comparing the SAT tutors they’ve secured, the number of community service hours their kids have completed, and the extravagance of expensive summer programs they’ve planned for their kids. These assuredly well-meaning parents hijack the college process from their kids and surely know how to ruin a good dinner party.
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Mental Health
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Whether or not the term "executive functions" rings a bell, most parents are probably very familiar with these skills which include planning, organization, focused attention, initiation, rule acquisition, and inhibiting inappropriate actions. Throughout a child's development, caregivers are granted a front row seat to watch as these abilities unfold as the brain areas responsible for these processes mature.
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Parenting
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She appears to be getting more uncooperative at home each and every day. Others tell you how sweet and darling your teen is, but all you get is grief at home. Does this sound familiar?
If you feel as though you have just about reached your limit with trying to figure out all of the ups and downs and what really makes your teen tick, then let me assure you that you are not alone.The more mothers of teens, guidance experts (ours from our Middle School), and teachers, I speak with confirm that many of the disturbing behaviors and emotions exhibited by our teens are simply a part of the “process” of growing up and maturing that is really quite normal.
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Physical Health
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Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise helps children
· Feel less stressed
· Feel better about themselves
· Feel more ready to learn in school
· Keep a healthy weight
· Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints
· Sleep better at night
As kids spend more time watching TV, they spend less time running and playing. Parents should limit TV, video game and computer time. Parents can set a good example by being active themselves. Exercising together can be fun for everyone. Competitive sports can help kids stay fit. Walking or biking to school, dancing, bowling and yoga are some other ways for kids to get exercise.
Provided by The National Institute of Health
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Parenting
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 Each year when children go back to school it is both a relief for parents as well as a challenge. With more and more children being picked on and bullied, not to mention the challenge of a “rough” teacher, harder workload, tougher sports and afterschool activities, parents lose focus on what the experience really should be…Just that! An experience! Make each day a great learning experience for your child. Even when a mistake is made, or a challenge presents itself, try not to blow it out of proportion and keep your comments secretly to yourself and your spouse.
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Parenting
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Once parenthood arrives with all its ups and downs, most moms and dads quickly develop a new found appreciation for sleep. Each precious moment of missed zzz’s can take a toll on body, mind, and spirit, and we also learn that there is no way to make up for lost time after long hours of nighttime parenting. While most parents find some way to adapt to a bit of sleep deprivation, new research has shown that as children age, they too are feeling the impact of less pillow time and the consequences impact everything from their health to their academic performance.
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Parenting
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Last month’s column touched on the concept of “Time Out” as a method to address the undesirable behaviors that children sometimes engage in. In addition, it covered the various components required to deliver a successful “Time Out,” as well as the subtle issues which can sabotage even the best laid parental efforts. If, after reading, you were left wondering if there is an alternative option which is a bit less labor intensive, read on!
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Parenting
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It is particularly important that your child gets enough sleep and has an unhurried and adequately nourishing breakfast before coming to school. A three year old needs on the average 12 hours of sleep a night. So he should be in bed by 7pm if he is to get up at 7 in the morning, have time to dress himself and have an adequate meal before coming to school. This routine every day will help him adjust a lot easier and get more out of his school experience. |
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For Kids
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Relax. As parents our job is to serve a variety of healthy foods and get our children exposed to them-it is not our job to force them to eat.
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