Back to school 101

The following tips can help parents successfully communicate with their children:

> Take time, talk to your children about going back to school. Get them to express their feelings and share some of you own.

> Stop everything and listen when your children are talking to you.

> Listen to your child's viewpoint, even if it is difficult to hear.

> Let your child finish speaking before you respond.

> Focus on your child's feelings, rather than your own during the conversation.

> Control strong emotional responses when you disagree with your child's point of view.

> Show interest in school activities and attend events that your child is part of. > Resolve to eat dinner as a family a few times a week. Use this time to find out what your child has done with their friends and classmates that week.

> Set Family Nights on your calendar. Order pizza, play board games, talk and just have fun together.

Source: Bootheel Counseling Services