Back To School Tip #4: Be Mindful of Situations That Cause Stress*

Here are some examples that can be stressful situations for your child. Walking in line to change classes or to go to an activity, lunchtime and the cafeteria, group activities either in the classroom or on the playground, riding the school bus, and substitute teachers, just to name a few. You may need to be a detective and investigate what situations are the most stressful for your child. Effective strategies can be developed for each one of these situations to help your child. Successful outcomes with transitions and stressful situations are usually a function of your child=s regulation and connection with his teacher and/or safe person in the school. *Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6

Back to School Tip #3: Transitions*

Transitions are huge. Transitions are usually a source of fear and terror for children with traumatic histories. This is called transition trauma. Any new stimulus is coded as a threat until it can be deemed safe. Transitions are initially coded as fear; therefore your child needs help in regulating through the transition. As you reduce your child=s fear around transitions he will eventually be able to handle transitions in a more regulated manner. There are many transitions throughout the day. Getting out of bed, getting dressed, eating breakfast, getting in the car to go to school, and changing classes, ad infinitum. Your child=s ability to handle transitions sets the tone of regulation for his day. *Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6

Back to School Tip #2: Set Your Expectations on Your Child's Emotional Age*

If you encounter significant challenging behaviors with your child, then your child=s emotional age will be very different from the grade that he is going into. Children with traumatic histories bring their histories into the school room with them. Having realistic expectations based on your child=s emotional age will significantly reduce pressure from you at home. This includes social expectations. Your child may not feel safe socially at school. Besides making accommodations for this at school, you can arrange small social interactions with your child outside of school. Appropriate expectations in the classroom will help your child grow out of his regressed developmental level. *Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6

Back to School Tip #1: Be an Advocate for Your Child

It takes a lot of courage to make sure that your child=s needs are being met during the school year. It is important to start the first day of school knowing that the teacher will be the right teacher for your child. It may take a meeting with the principal and teacher prior to school starting to begin the process. Overcome your own fears prior to attempting this. Remember that your child needs to be understood. Even though the teachers are professionals, you need to trust that you know what your child needs. You are the only one who can truly advocate for your child. By doing so, you will enhance your child=s secure attachment to you as well as help your child have a successful school year.




*Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW



If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6

Summer Challenge - Increased Manipulaiton

The world will tell you that negative behaviors are the way your child tries to manipulate and control you. And that you should punish those behaviors. Look past your child’s negative and challenging behaviors. Shift your paradigm and see these behaviors as your child’s communication for connection with you. Free yourself from all the shoulds of the world. This may be a challenge. Think about how God allows our negative behavior and waits for us to talk with Him. Christian Parent Wisdom #55 - Freedom Christ releases me from old patterns and the shame-based “shoulds” that surrounded me. I can now be all I was created to be and receive all He has for me. I am free to be in a loving relationship with my child. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 Purchase Christian Parent Wisdom now @ http://bit.ly/mVZggY and receive 30 minutes of phone coaching or a 30 minute spiritual consult for FREE when you mention you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your purchase order.

Summer Challenge - Withdrawal

Withdrawal is all about self-protection. It’s not about being lazy, selfish, or self centered. Summer time activities can easily become over whelming. This may put your child in a survival role. Withdrawal is a common form of self protection. It’s part of our natural fight or flight response to fear. Don’t let your child’s behavior cause you to feel captive and separate you from your child. Celebrate all channeling behaviors as an opportunity to connect with your child and help them progress developmentally. Christian Parent Wisdom #46 - Freedom My freedom in Christ allows me to make choices to improve my relationship with my child. I choose to have a peaceful and harmonious relationship. I choose to focus on God’s good in my child. As servants of God, live as free people. 1 Peter 2:16 Purchase Christian Parent Wisdom now @ http://bit.ly/mVZggY and receive 30 minutes of phone coaching or a 30 minute spiritual consult for FREE when you mention you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your purchase order.

Back to School Tip #6: Responding Rather than Reacting*

Here's a couple of basic stress model principles to remember when you find yourself reacting rather than responding to your child. Remember that you are reacting from your unconscious. You are coming from a place of fear rather than love. This is fairly simple to overcome. First of all, slow down and think. Allow you to take several deep breaths and relax. You can then connect with your child and help him regulate. Even after you react, you can stop and create the space to respond. Continue to do your own work around your emotional trauma so when it gets triggered you can respond rather than react. *Adapted from 10 Important Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Teachers - Heather T. Forbes, LCSW If you find yourself needing additional support and encouragement to advocate for your child, contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consult when you subscribe to my weekly Christian Parent Wisdom http://bit.ly/nmOEXw and mention that you heard about this FREE offer though this blog on your subscription order. I offer more school strategies and resources in my July 2012 Love in Action Newsletter - Back to School Resources at http://bit.ly/nNyPn6