The end of summertime is nearing. Many teens have started back to school this week or will start back next week. Vacations are ending. Sleeping late in the mornings will soon be a thing of the past. Your teen may be feeling blue about the "end of freedom" and the tasks involved in restarting school.
But could your teen see this school year as a new beginning? A time to think about priorities and set goals?
How can we as parents help our teen be positive about the school year? I would like you to think about a back-to-school tradition to establish with your teen. One idea is to talk with your teen over the dinner table a week before school starts and ask him what things he would like to see be different this year and what things he sees from last year that he would like to continue. Ask your teen how you can help him be successful in what he wants this school year. Writing down his thoughts - goals, changes he wants to make, things to remain the same, can be extremely helpful. Reviewing this with him a few weeks into school to see how he thinks he is doing and what he needs help with can help him also.
You have ideas of what would work best with your teen and your family. I hope that your back to school tradition is something that you can use each year.
Dr. Debra
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