End of Summer Sendoff Party

Here it is, the end of summer and the the beginning of a new school year.  Some of you have already returned to school; others look toward another year of working toward a common goal - your children's education.  So, instead of bemoaning the loss of summer freedom, here are some things you can do to celebrate the new school year:

1. Have a summer sendoff party.  This can be Labor Day weekend or a casual Tuesday afternoon with friends and family.  Have "Cafeteria" hamburgers (hopefully not as dry!), fruit salad (separate the components and categorize by color?), and Apple-for-the-Teacher pie for dessert. 
2. Assemble an old-time school days puzzle.  Puzzles are relaxing, non-competitive ways for families to enjoy their time together before the insanity of homework, soccer practice, and piano lessons begin again.
3. Make a list of goals for the coming year.  What do you and your children hope to accomplish?  Encourage them to discuss how they will meet those goals.  Then post the goals in a prominent location.  Remember - don't dwell on them.  Simply posting them is enough to remind even the most reluctant learner.
4. Do some refresher activities - math problems, reading comprehension questions, etc.  You can find refesher books for all grades at your local bookstore.  Offer incentives like stickers or checkmarks on an accomplishments list.  Then celebrate the completion of these activities with an ice cream party.

It's also important to ease gradually back into the routine.  If the kids have been going to bed at 10:00 instead of 8:00, work back a half hour each night until they get accustomed to going to be earlier and getting up earlier. 

Happy Parenting!