For most Western countries, September marks the start of another schoolyear. (School starts in June here in the Philppines.)

And to most parents, this is one of the times that they dread most. Dragging a kid fresh from summer break to school can be very challenging. I know, because I made sure I gave my mom a hard time during the first few weeks of school.

Fortunately for me, I won’t have to face that challenge until a few more years. And lucky me, I found these helpfil tips from Laura McClure.

Hitting the books shouldn’t hurt. Help your favorite student get an A+ in health:

• Stay action packed.
  The end of school break shouldn’t mean the end of outdoor activities. Sign kids up for a sport or send them out to ride bikes or walk the dog. If you live near school, skip the bus and walk your child to class.
• Log off
  Hours spent at the computer may lead to eyestrain and an aching neck and back. Make sure kids sit at least 60 centimeters from the monitor and take breaks, says Dr. Dana Weintraub, of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
• Schedule sleep.
  Avoid lost zzz’s by having your child gradually go to bed and get up earlier during the week or two before classes start. Putting a stop to big meals and cafferine before bedtime may also help.



• Ban heavy bags.
  Backpacks shoudln’t weigh more than 10% to 15% of a child’s weight. Look for pads on the shoulder straps and back, and put the heaviest items closest to the body. For extra support, get a bag with a waist strap or a backpack on wheels.
• Mind the menu.
  For lunches, focus on fruits, veggies, dairy and whole grains.

There you. I hope these tips will be of help to parents out there with schoolkids. If you can add some more, feel free to leave a comment. I could use all the help I can get for when it’s my turn to drag my kids to school.

*Credits to Ajarn and School-clipart for the images.