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August 25, 2011

Getting ready for school

I love the fall and there's nothing that spells the new season than back to school. (When I was in school, I used to pick out my first-day-of-school outfit the night before with anticipation.)

For parents, it can be daunting, trying to prepare their children for another school year, getting them out of vacation mode and establishing a new routine.

Check out The Sun's latest Ask the Expert, which features Dr. Julie Yeh, a pediatrician at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Here are some excerpts:

What are some tips for ensuring my child eats a healthful lunch at school?

When packing lunches, try to include healthy options such as whole-grain breads, fresh fruit and low-fat snacks like popcorn, pretzels or dried fruit. Keep an eye on portion size as well. Water is always a good choice of beverage, but low-fat milk is much preferred if possible. Avoid sugary juices or sodas. If your child purchases lunch at school, preview the lunch menu, which is often provided in advance, and discuss with them what they will choose for the day. Most public school lunches include two fruit or vegetable options as part of every meal; review those options with your child as well. Also, have your child pick low-fat white milk as a beverage. At the end of the day, stay involved. Ask your child what he or she ended up buying for lunch.

What are appropriate actions to share with my child if they are being bullied at school, on the school bus or on the walk to school?

Bullying is a serious problem. Children should understand that bullying is never OK. If your child is being bullied, encourage them to speak up in a calm manner and ask the bully to stop. He should then walk away if possible. If it persists, the child should feel comfortable telling a responsible adult figure, such as a parent or school official. Discuss in advance with your children what they would do in such a scenario, so they are prepared if it ever happens to them.

How do you prepare yourself and your child for another school year?

Posted by Hanah Cho at 11:26 AM | | Comments (1)
Categories: School's In
        

Comments

I always giggle when I walk past the "school supply" section of the grocery store. I have been homeschooling my three children for 9 years now and the only thing I purchase before we start our school year is usually pencils, paper, and ink for my printer. The children have the same teacher with the same routine and the same lunch menu every year so there's no first day jitters. They often wonder what it would be like to go to regular school, but they enjoy homeschooling.

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About Hanah Cho
Hanah Cho joined The Baltimore Sun in 2003, just a few years out of college. While covering everything from education to workplace issues to financial services, she also got married and became a first-time mom in December 2009. Now, she’s trying to juggle work and life demands without losing her sanity.

She lives in Columbia with her husband and infant son.

Kate Shatzkin authored Charm City Moms until June 18, 2010.
Follow @charmcitymoms on Twitter
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