WELCOME TO THE

KOUNSELORS KORNER

Hi everyone,

Where has the time gone?? I haven't been MIA, but just busy.  So, please forgive the delay in updating my web page.  Parenting is a busy, stressful and sometimes 'thankless' job.  With the difficult economic times upon us, we need all of the encouragement that we can garner.  Please take time and follow the nuggets below:

10 TIPS FOR "STRESS-LESS" PARENTING

•  1. Take time our each day to do something for yourself. Exercise, stretching, listening to soothing music, reading or meditation are some proven ways to reduce stress.
• 2. If you are feeling overwhelmed, arranged for some outside help so that you can manage all aspects of your life more effectively.
• 3. Keep your sense of humor when things don't go as planned. No one is a perfect parent -- or a perfect child.
• 4. Accept that children sometimes make mistakes, are inconsistent, and act thoughtlessly -- this is part of being a child.
• 5. Count to 10 before you react when you get angry.
• 6. Ease tension with a human touch --share a hug, hold hands, or give a pat on the back.
• 7. Listen to your child and show you value your conversations.  Good communication can prevent conflict and stress.
• 8. Schedule in family fun and fitness. Laughter and physical activity are great stress reducers.
• 9. Spend time with friends talking about your parenting concerns. Also share your reflections on the joys of parenting.
• 10. Learn how children mature so your expectations for your child's behavior are realistic. 

Continue to browse the wonderful websites below at your pleasure.  These websites have free resources, research-based data and printables for your use:

 www.familyeducation.com -Healthy Moms, Healthy Families is awesome.  This site provides health tips, healthy cooking ideas, nutritional food choices and printables that have coloring activities, puzzles, skill builders, etc.  Go to the Message Board for discussuons.  And there is a "Moms Coffee Break Site. Sign up for the free newsletter.

www.charactercounts.org - Learn about the values know as the Six Pillars of Character.  Receive weekly commentaries from Michael Josephson.  A wealth of information.

www.surfnetkids.com - I can't begin to describe this site.  Not only does this site give tips and ideas...it also provides valuable lessons.

Information awaits you on these sites.  They are invaluable and I believe that they will be so helpful.

A recent news article entitles "A Parent's Backpack: Supplies for a Successful Year.  This article states that at the beginning of each school year, you are inundated with all kinds of information from various orientations and open houses.  What is missing in all of this and could serve as a helpful checklist is an inventory of items detailing those supplies necessary to equip parents to serve as effective partners in their children's learning adventure.

Cathie Broocks, the author of this article, states that this list cannot be filled at the local stores, but  necessitates a trip inland, to the heart of a parent's committment to his child's learning process and an equal committment to those professionals assisting in the journey." There are five items that should meet the needs of most families and a variety of grade levels...

1. Select a two-part family routine.  This would include a standard nightly bedtime and a special place to complete homework.

2. Establish age-appropriate home chores which parallel classroom expectations.

3.  A parent should guide and not save a child from mistakes.  Every child should be given the freedom to fail.

4.  A large "benefit of the doubt" should extended to teachers, school administrators and school friends in an assortment of uncomfortable situations or tales retold by your child.

5. Maintain a sense of humor.  This item is light and will fit easily in any bookpack.

Go to www.independenttribune.com and find this article by Cathie Broocks.

(Try these as often as you can.  Guarantee you'll see a difference.)

Despite this being a very busy year, I am more than sure that it will be very successful and your support is always needed. TOGETHER, do all that we can to insure that WE provide the necessary opportunities for our students.

Don't forget... I am just a telephone call away.  Better still come on in to the school.

The motto still remains:

"Coming together is a start...

                        Keeping together is progress...

                                            Working together is success!"