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The
Jackson County Memorial Hospital Counseling Center in Altus
is offering a parenting class for parents of children ages
six through twelve. The six-week course will be held in the
JCMH ground floor conference room beginning September 10.
The six classes will be held each Monday from 6:00 to 7:30
p.m. The course is titled “Systematic Training for
Effective Parenting” (STEP) and uses workbook materials and
parent participation. Parents need to pre-register at
482-4095.
Kim Wright, Licensed Clinical Social
Worker at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital Counseling
Center in Altus, provides some insight to parents and
students for the new school year.
Going back to school means getting
back into a routine. No more staying up late and sleeping
in. Back to school means a new teacher, new classroom, new
classmates and friends, new routines and in some cases even
a new school. While many parents look forward to the start
of the new school year, it can be stressful for both parents
and students.
Here are some ideas that parents might
use to get their child ready to go back to school:
1)
Practice the back to school routine a few times
before the first day (e.g., go to bed, get up, dress, eat
breakfast, brush teeth and be out the door by 8 am).
2)
Have your child prepare what he/she can the night
before (pick out clothes, pack lunch, pack school bag, etc).
3)
Talk to the school and find out what the routines
are. If there are new routines, try to prepare your child
by practicing or talking about the changes. Visit the
school and teacher with your child if possible.
4)
Find a set bedtime that lets your child feel well
rested in the morning.
5)
Purchase school supplies and clothes with your
child. Be sure to break in new shoes before the start of
the school year.
6)
Try to help get your child excited about school by
talking about seeing friends again, sharing tales of their
summer with the teacher and other students, etc.
7)
Get a copy of the school menu and review food choices
with your child.
Parents will want to put aside extra
time, especially on the first day, to talk with their child
before school and on the drive or walk there. If parents
are running late and have to hurry, children may become
stressed and anxious. Be sure to say good-bye to your child
and wish him/her a good day. At the end of the workday,
parents will want to put aside their own concerns and focus
on being a parent. |
