Begin the term with a family treat
Jan 22, 2006
<b>PARENTING</b><br>The weeks have quickly rolled by and soon the sun will set on the long holiday. Going back to school is often received with a mixture of emotions.
By Wagwau Jamesa
The weeks have quickly rolled by and soon the sun will set on the long holiday. Going back to school is often received with a mixture of emotions. To many parents, it is stress and more stress as back to school budget stretches our pockets to its limits. Children too suffer an emotional turmoil that is seldom revealed to parents. The separation anxiety that comes when children go to boarding school affects both parents and their children. Which loving parent would resist the pain of seeing the child leave home for three solid months? There are devastating feelings of loneliness that will hit as you are greeted with screaming silence in a once lively house.
Have you seen children who sob helplessly at the beginning of a new term? Children too feel the pain of separation after a long holiday. An ideal home is a symbol of comfort, security and care to a child. Going back to school, therefore, heralds a change, which most children especially in boarding schools aren’t equipped to deal with. There is a change from parental care, delicious meals, watching TV to more restricted environment where the sound of a bell controls all activities. You too will endure your part of the misery. Returning to a silent home in the evening with nobody to hug you or offer you a goodnight kiss might become intolerable within the first few weeks. Both you and your children need a psychological preparation before hand. End of holiday treat is the best way of preparing the family for the separation anxiety that going back to school brings.
How about taking your children for an outing? This relaxed environment away from home will enable you deal with a number of issues:
lUse this opportunity to discuss with your children the limitation of your finances and let them help you budget.
lLay goals for next term. Discuss with your children your expectations on their academic work. Give them practical tips on time management, planning, choice of friends and the value of tolerance.
l Let the children tell you what they have enjoyed during the holidays and how they plan to cope with the shock, which the school environment brings. Consider new strategies of maintaining family bonds by sending ‘I Miss You’ card to each other in the course of the term.
lGive the children spiritual lessons to guide them. irrespective of their faith, the fear of God helps children to develop a sense of moral conscience that directs their behaviour in your absence. A family prayer is essential and your children shouldn’t forget to thank God for His protection.
Did you know that how well you end the holiday determines how well your child copes with the challenges of the new term? Apart from the psychological preparation your family receives, end of holiday treats helps to strengthen bonds of family relationship. It could become one of your treasured family rituals if you observe it consistently. Let the fun make your children look forward to having such treats at the end of each holiday. When a family spares time for fun and togetherness outside the home, members develop a sense of belonging and psychological security that never fades. Having children in boarding school has made it difficult for many parents to create quality time for their children. Offering such treats before your child leaves for school helps you remain in touch with the child emotionally. What else would you do better than showing your child that you care?
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
077631032
The weeks have quickly rolled by and soon the sun will set on the long holiday. Going back to school is often received with a mixture of emotions. To many parents, it is stress and more stress as back to school budget stretches our pockets to its limits. Children too suffer an emotional turmoil that is seldom revealed to parents. The separation anxiety that comes when children go to boarding school affects both parents and their children. Which loving parent would resist the pain of seeing the child leave home for three solid months? There are devastating feelings of loneliness that will hit as you are greeted with screaming silence in a once lively house.
Have you seen children who sob helplessly at the beginning of a new term? Children too feel the pain of separation after a long holiday. An ideal home is a symbol of comfort, security and care to a child. Going back to school, therefore, heralds a change, which most children especially in boarding schools aren’t equipped to deal with. There is a change from parental care, delicious meals, watching TV to more restricted environment where the sound of a bell controls all activities. You too will endure your part of the misery. Returning to a silent home in the evening with nobody to hug you or offer you a goodnight kiss might become intolerable within the first few weeks. Both you and your children need a psychological preparation before hand. End of holiday treat is the best way of preparing the family for the separation anxiety that going back to school brings.
How about taking your children for an outing? This relaxed environment away from home will enable you deal with a number of issues:
lUse this opportunity to discuss with your children the limitation of your finances and let them help you budget.
lLay goals for next term. Discuss with your children your expectations on their academic work. Give them practical tips on time management, planning, choice of friends and the value of tolerance.
l Let the children tell you what they have enjoyed during the holidays and how they plan to cope with the shock, which the school environment brings. Consider new strategies of maintaining family bonds by sending ‘I Miss You’ card to each other in the course of the term.
lGive the children spiritual lessons to guide them. irrespective of their faith, the fear of God helps children to develop a sense of moral conscience that directs their behaviour in your absence. A family prayer is essential and your children shouldn’t forget to thank God for His protection.
Did you know that how well you end the holiday determines how well your child copes with the challenges of the new term? Apart from the psychological preparation your family receives, end of holiday treats helps to strengthen bonds of family relationship. It could become one of your treasured family rituals if you observe it consistently. Let the fun make your children look forward to having such treats at the end of each holiday. When a family spares time for fun and togetherness outside the home, members develop a sense of belonging and psychological security that never fades. Having children in boarding school has made it difficult for many parents to create quality time for their children. Offering such treats before your child leaves for school helps you remain in touch with the child emotionally. What else would you do better than showing your child that you care?
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
077631032