Your Back-To-School Cheat Sheet: Top Tips and Tricks From an Expert

By EmpowHER

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Dr. Gail Gross stopped by our weekly Twitter #HERchat to offer advice for the new school year (and helped answer some tough questions!)
Read on for the highlights and best tips from our chat.

Have something to add? Tweet @EmpowHER or leave a comment below!

View the story "Your Back-To-School Toolkit: The Best Tips and Tricks" on StorifyYour Back-To-School Toolkit: The Best Tips and TricksDid you miss our back to school #HERchat? Dr. Gail Gross stopped by to offer advice for the new school year (and helped answer some tough questions!) Read on for the highlights and best tips from our chat. Have something to add? Tweet @EmpowHER or leave a comment below! Storified by EmpowHER· Fri, Aug 08 2014 00:12:46 Welcome to today’s #HERchat! Tonight @DrGailGross stops by to answer your #backtoschool questions.EmpowHERExcited to be here for #HERchat with @EmpowHER talking about back to school! #parentingDr. Gail GrossThe schoolbell won't wait! Let's start with questions! #herchatEmpowHERQ1: What can cause back to school anxiety? #herchatEmpowHERA1: Harder classes and new teachers always gave me back-to-school jitters! #HERchatErin KennedyGoing back to school is not always exciting. Some students are so stressed or scared that they might have anxiety #HERchatJenny HoushChildren may feel anxiety about new teachers, friends, even simply a new schedule transitioning f/summer to school. #HERchat @EmpowHERDr. Gail GrossI remember being anxious if I didn't know anyone in my class! #middleschoolmemories #HERchatJenny Houshanxiety can be worse when there are bigger changes, such as going to a brand new school, or leaving home for college #HERchatMichelle King RobsonAttend a “Meet the Teacher” or “Back to School” night if possible to reduce anxiety #HERchatHayden KennedyGoing back to school isn't always fun - our experts have some tips that can help http://t.co/in1fYez31j #HERchatEmpowHERSometimes, #bullying can be an issue for back to school anxiety. Warning signs your kid may be a victim: http://t.co/WM20nZbVhZ #herchatEmpowHERQ2: What vaccinations should my child get before heading back for the new school year? #HERchatEmpowHERA2: Vaccines like meningitis and Tdap are important to get! #HERchatErin KennedyWhy vaccinations should be on your back to school checklist: http://t.co/raOMENBiK7 #herchatEmpowHERStill weary about vaccines? Here's some help from the @CDC http://t.co/aLaUsGcgXQ #HERchatMichelle King RobsonNot quite sure what vaccinations your child needs? Here's a list http://t.co/U9t5ePNlGC #parenting #herchatEmpowHERQ3: I'm always looking for a deal. How can I save money on back to school supplies? #herchatEmpowHERShop end-of-summer sales-snap up discounted duds that can be worn well into fall. #HERchatJenny HoushThe supermarket has amazing deals- Check weekly for great deals on pens & paper, & get your grocery shopping done at the same time #HERchatMichelle King RobsonA3: Stick to The List-It's long enough at the start of a new school year so don't waste time and money on unlisted items #herchatEmpowHEROver the summer, I try to buy things I know i'll need each time I go shopping. so i'm not dropping a lot of cash all at once. #HERchatHayden KennedyA3: When choosing a backpack, make sure you follow these tips to keep your child's back safe: http://t.co/urUoxj1mTh #HERchatEmpowHERQ4: Don't forget to pack a #lunch! What's your favorite back to school #recipe? #herchatEmpowHER#Lunchbox #Tip: Think about what your child likes to eat at home and try to translate that into a lunch option. #HERchatMichelle King RobsonMy favorite: Last night's leftovers in a container with a small spoon can make a welcome change to sandwiches. #HERchatJenny HoushQ4: Healthy lunches are important for growing brains & bodies! Some ideas incl nut-free, allergy-free: http://t.co/gvYSKL7R5B #HERchatDr. Gail GrossWe have many more #healthy lunchbox ideas here: http://t.co/mMyAGfgRF2 #HERchatEmpowHERQ5: I'd like to get an after-school study routine in place. Where do I start? #HERchatEmpowHERWant kid magic? Use routine & M&Ms. @mkingrobson: Routine, routine routine! (& sometimes a little bribing doesn't hurt) #HERchatAmanda P.A5: When your children begin receiving homework from school -- have them to set aside time right after school to complete it #HERchatMichelle King RobsonQ5: also: let your child take breaks while doing homework: get up & move, eat a healthy snack like blueberries & milk. #HERchatDr. Gail GrossA5: set aside a special space in the house & set time each day for homework. Routine is important to help children succeed. #HERchatDr. Gail Gross@EmpowHER What are some "best practices" for balancing school work and after-school activities as we move from K to 1st Grade? #herchatJill TeetersInstead of making your kids work right after school, you can also designate a set amount of free time then work time. #herchatEmpowHER@EmpowHER Ah, that's where parenting comes in! Set a time limit: 5-10 min for a break, then get back to the work. #HERchatDr. Gail Gross@EmpowHER free time before homework always helped me concentrate better when in school! #HERchatErin Kennedy@DrGailGross how can we start routine from scratch? Any tips to "sneak" into a routine? #herchatEmpowHER@EmpowHER I would go over the afterschool schedule w/your child before school starts. They do better when they know what to expect #HERchatDr. Gail GrossQ6: Mornings are stressful. What are some tips ideas to start each day off on the right foot (literally!) #herchatEmpowHERA6: Eating a well-balanced breakfast is a great way to kick off your day before school! #HERchatErin KennedyA6 Lay out clothes the nite before. MT“@EmpowHER: Q6: Mornings are stressful. What are some tips ideas to start each day off? #herchat”Life Nutrition A6: I worked w/elementary age kids in Houston on a 10-min morning yoga routine that helped them stay focused, alert during school #HERchatDr. Gail GrossQ7: My child always tries to get out of going to school (pretending to be sick, etc). How can I help this? #herchatEmpowHERCheck for tell-tale signs and symptoms. If they are faking, find out why. There might be a reason! #HERchatMichelle King RobsonQ8: My child's friends are attending a different school this year. Any tips for making new friends? #herchatEmpowHERChanging schools can be tough. Here are some ways to help your child make new friends this school year. http://t.co/eUTkqTWg7f #HERchatDr. Gail GrossRMT @TheBullyDoctor 160k students stay home each day b/c they're afraid of #bullies-I'd start by talking to the child/school #HERchatEmpowHERHelp Your Kids Be Excited, Not Anxious, on the First Day of School http://t.co/wu3E9734U1 #herchatEmpowHERFuture friends are everywhere you look- play at the school playground, and visit the local library storytime. #HERchatMichelle King RobsonInvolvement (for both of you) helps. Is there a club or sports team your child might like to join? #HERchatMichelle King RobsonQ9: My last child leaves for college this year - i'll soon have an empty nest. What can I do to cope? #herchatEmpowHERA9: Find a hobby you enjoy doing and enjoy time with close friends and family! #HERchatErin KennedyA9: This is a wonderful time to rediscover your own interests and reconnect with yourself and your partner. Take classes, travel #herchatDr. Gail GrossA9. Make weekly #FaceTime / #Skype dates! MT“@EmpowHER: Q9: My last child leaves for college this year. What can I do to cope? #herchat”Life Nutrition @EmpowHER A9: A good time to rediscover passions or interests you'd put on hold 😊 #herchatMichelle RogersWe are out of time! Thank you @DrGailGross for co-hosting - thank you to everyone for participating! #herchatEmpowHERWe hope your #backtoschool prep goes smoothly! Please continue to send us your back to school tips #herchatEmpowHERHere are more ways you can help your kids succeed in school: http://t.co/NzZBhuRz4w I wish you all a happy start to the school yr! #HERchatDr. Gail Gross