Kindergarten is an exciting milestone for your little one! It can also be a time filled with anxieties and challenges. Here are five ways to make the transition easier on both of you.

1. Keep it positive. When you talk to your child about the upcoming school year and her transition to Kindergarten, be optimistic and positive. When children sense we are anxious, they may become anxious as well. This can be really tough if you’re feeling anxious or worried about her, so it’s important to check in with your own emotions as well, and get support if you need it. Keep in mind that there is no pressure to overhype it, and certainly you should validate your child’s concerns and listen to her fears and worries, but keeping a general sense of optimism will help your child feel more at ease.

2. Get acquainted. If the school does an orientation, that is a great chance for you and your child to go and meet teachers and classmates. If not, it’s a good idea to arrange a tour of a school and a meeting with your child’s teacher. Prepare a one-page cheat sheet about your child for the teacher and include name and nickname, photo, medical conditions, likes and dislikes, interests and talents, etc. This will help the teacher get to know your child and give him or her some conversation starters for building a relationship. If you can arrange for your child to get acquainted with the teacher as well, that’s even better. If he can begin to form a relationship with the teacher before school starts, it will make the separation from you a bit easier. If you can set up a playdate with another child in his class a few times before school starts, having that familiar face in class will be a comfort and help to ease your child’s nerves.

3. Practice. Discuss with your child’s teacher what a typical day will look like and what your child will be doing in the first few weeks of school, and then begin practicing those things over the summer with your child. This will help familiarize your child with the routine and structure of school so that the transition will go a little more smoothly for her. In addition to practicing things like standing in line, sitting still, following directions, etc., it’s a good idea to start practicing social-emotional skills as well. Role play with your child how to introduce herself to others, how to ask to join a group or game, using words to express feelings and wants, sharing, taking turns, and appropriate solutions to conflict. The more you practice, the more confident your child will feel and the better those skills will develop!

4. Find an anchor. Some children can skip off to the classroom without so much as a backward glance, but many children experience separation anxiety. For those children, it’s helpful to find an anchor – something that helps them feel close to you while they’re away. It could be something as simple as a matching necklace, a photo of you, or a note in the lunchbox. It’s a kind of security blanket that your child can take with her every day.

5. Stay attuned. There are sure to be lots of emotional ups and downs as your child transitions into kindergarten, for you and for him! Prepare for a few meltdowns and muster up some extra patience and empathy. As your child processes all of the new experiences, he’s sure to need a safe space to run to. You’ve got this!

source: Rebecca Eanes

Planning for your kid's birthday party is fun yet stressful indeed that we get carried away most of the time and forget some of the things to be mindful of.

Here's the list of Do's and Don'ts that may not be a life but definitely a party saver. ;)

DO send invitations early

Make it a month in advance, at least. People are quite busy and they’re more likely to decline if it’s Monday and your party is scheduled for this coming Saturday. This is also more common if your child’s birthday falls during the holiday season or in the summer when family vacations are more frequent.

DO be specific

Always specify what time of day you are throwing the party and whether you are serving lunch or dinner. Also, since we are talking about children’s parties, make sure to indicate if parents can drop off their children or if they are required to stay for the party. It could also help if you are clear about whether siblings are welcome.

DO include an RSVP date

It would be easier for party hosts to know what to expect when they receive responses from guests in a timely manner. Give people a specific date by which to RSVP, and a method of contacting you (email/text/call).

DO make it palatable and enjoyable for the parents

Let’s face it, unless they’re family or close friends, most parents aren’t dying to spend their weekends at your kid’s party. The least you can for is to make it enjoyable for them too. If your party is in the morning, serve bagels and coffee. If the event is at one of those bounce house/trampoline/rock climbing venues, let the kids eat the sub par pizza that’s included and bring in real food for the adults.

DO be sensitive to food allergies

If you are aware that one of of your guests has a food allergy, have an alternative food on hand for that child to eat. Parents of kids with allergies are used to bringing along “safe” food for their kids, but they would really be super appreciative if their kids can partake in the party treats, too.

DO send thank you notes

Although generic pre-printed notes may not be as genuine as hand-written notes, it’s better than nothing at all. Get your kids in the habit of thanking their family and friends for their kindness and generosity. It’s a skill that will stay with them long after the party is over.

DON’T exclude kids

It’s fine if your child doesn’t want to invite the entire class, but you also wouldn’t want to exclude 2 kids out of 20 either, especially if you are distributing invitations via their teacher. If you’re keeping your party small, be discreet and tell your child not to talk about it in front of their classmates who were not invited.

DON’T do the “no gifts, please” thing

It’s actually a noble idea to ask the guests to not bring gifts anymore — your kid has way too much stuff and gifts aren’t cheap. However, people feel compelled to bring something,and those who don’t then feel awkward for coming empty handed.

DON’T open the presents at the party

A lot of party places would ask guests to drop their gifts in a designated area before the start of the party. These gifts would then be whisked to the birthday kid’s car at the end—and for good reason. It is often quite time consuming and chaotic. Wait until the guests go home before tackling the gifts with your child.

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1. Failure is okay.

To be self-sufficient, kids need to pick themselves up once in a while. Most parents would know what their kids are capable of, but parental instincts often make them intervene to make things easier for the children. Remember, this is beneficial in the long run – a teenager who knows how to do their laundry can overcome a momentary discomfort. Before rushing in to help with any task, ask yourself: “Is my child in grave danger?” Then think about whether your child has the essential abilities or sufficient sleep and is not at all hungry. Yes? Time to back off and see what happens.

2. Implement homework rules.

Rule number one: Do the hardest thing first. Rule number two: No phones. However, some homework does require the help of technology such as computers for research, but no to unnecessary videos and chit chats over social media. Rule number three: As soon as they are done with homework, it’s time to prepare their bags for the next school day. This is a clear and straightforward three-step process that kids can easily follow, therefore, there’s less nagging from you.

3. Remember H.A.L.T.

Child tantrums can be caused by Hunger, Agitation, Loneliness or Tiredness.

4. Teach your child to do acts of kindness.

Kids need to learn that helping others is an everyday practice, and not just because they were told to do so. Challenge your child to accomplish small weekly tasks, such as helping a classmate open a bag of chips, or sharing their snack.

5. Bedtime must be on strict schedule.

A study published in 2013 in the journal Pediatrics found that seven-year-olds who follow irregular bedtimes had more behavioral problems than those with consistent bedtimes. And the longer the irregular bedtimes went on, the worse the problem became. If you work outside the home, it is naturally tempting to keep the kids up to be able to spend more time with them. But a sacrifice is necessary to make, even if it means that you sometimes miss lights out. Still, make sure to be involved in the routine like making a call to say goodnight.

6. Let them read whatever book they like.

Kids who read for pleasure excel academically. Recent studies show that they do better not only in language arts, but also in math. Even if you’d rather him pick a great classic novel over a graphic one, don’t make him feel bad by choosing otherwise. Genre would not matter for as long as they get hooked in the habit of reading.

7. Chores in exchange of money is a no-no.

Giving kids allowance to introduce them to money management is acceptable, but giving them as a reward for making their beds or helping you carry the groceries would make them ask “How much? Why would I do that for free when you are paying me to do it?”

8. Be a brave role model.

If you want your kids to be confident, practice your own self confidence and they will follow. Similarly, if your child sees you laughing over a backwards shirt, they would likely giggle instead of feeling awkward and embarrassed when it happens to them.

9. You are not their personal fast food cook.

It’s a child’s duty to eat what their parents eat. For picky eaters, parents tend to choose the all-or-nothing scenario, which is easily the best and most convenient choice. What parents can do instead is offer a variety of foods at mealtime. For example, the main course plus rice or pasta, a fruit or vegetable, and milk. This way, your child can eat just the pasta and the vegetable and get protein from milk.

10. Hear them out at age 14.

This is the age when peer pressure and think-for-myself attitude sets in, rather than just simply following the leader. Ask about their friends – this way, there’s a high probability that they will open up to you about what’s happening behind the scenes and offer your support.