[View the story "Your Back-To-School Toolkit: The Best Tips and Tricks" on Storify ]Your Back-To-School Toolkit: The Best Tips and Tricks Did 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.EmpowHER
Excited to be here for #HERchat with @EmpowHER talking about back to school! #parentingDr. Gail Gross
The schoolbell won't wait! Let's start with questions! #herchatEmpowHER
Q1: What can cause back to school anxiety? #herchatEmpowHER
A1: Harder classes and new teachers always gave me back-to-school jitters! #HERchatErin Kennedy
Going back to school is not always exciting. Some students are so stressed or scared that they might have anxiety #HERchatJenny Housh
Children may feel anxiety about new teachers, friends, even simply a new schedule transitioning f/summer to school. #HERchat @EmpowHERDr. Gail Gross
I remember being anxious if I didn't know anyone in my class! #middleschoolmemories #HERchatJenny Housh
anxiety can be worse when there are bigger changes, such as going to a brand new school, or leaving home for college #HERchatMichelle King Robson
Attend a “Meet the Teacher” or “Back to School” night if possible to reduce anxiety #HERchatHayden Kennedy
Going back to school isn't always fun - our experts have some tips that can help
http://t.co/in1fYez31j #HERchatEmpowHER
Sometimes, #bullying can be an issue for back to school anxiety. Warning signs your kid may be a victim:
http://t.co/WM20nZbVhZ #herchatEmpowHER
Q2: What vaccinations should my child get before heading back for the new school year? #HERchatEmpowHER
A2: Vaccines like meningitis and Tdap are important to get! #HERchatErin Kennedy
Still weary about vaccines? Here's some help from the @CDC
http://t.co/aLaUsGcgXQ #HERchatMichelle King Robson
Not quite sure what vaccinations your child needs? Here's a list
http://t.co/U9t5ePNlGC #parenting #herchatEmpowHER
Q3: I'm always looking for a deal. How can I save money on back to school supplies? #herchatEmpowHER
Shop end-of-summer sales-snap up discounted duds that can be worn well into fall. #HERchatJenny Housh
The supermarket has amazing deals- Check weekly for great deals on pens & paper, & get your grocery shopping done at the same time #HERchatMichelle King Robson
A3: 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 #herchatEmpowHER
Over 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 Kennedy
A3: When choosing a backpack, make sure you follow these tips to keep your child's back safe:
http://t.co/urUoxj1mTh #HERchatEmpowHER
Q4: 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 Robson
My favorite: Last night's leftovers in a container with a small spoon can make a welcome change to sandwiches. #HERchatJenny Housh
Q4: Healthy lunches are important for growing brains & bodies! Some ideas incl nut-free, allergy-free:
http://t.co/gvYSKL7R5B #HERchatDr. Gail Gross
Q5: I'd like to get an after-school study routine in place. Where do I start? #HERchatEmpowHER
Want 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 Robson
Q5: also: let your child take breaks while doing homework: get up & move, eat a healthy snack like blueberries & milk. #HERchatDr. Gail Gross
A5: 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 Teeters
Instead 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 Gross
Q6: Mornings are stressful. What are some tips ideas to start each day off on the right foot (literally!) #herchatEmpowHER
A6: Eating a well-balanced breakfast is a great way to kick off your day before school! #HERchatErin Kennedy
A6 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 Gross
Q7: My child always tries to get out of going to school (pretending to be sick, etc). How can I help this? #herchatEmpowHER
Check for tell-tale signs and symptoms. If they are faking, find out why. There might be a reason! #HERchatMichelle King Robson
Q8: My child's friends are attending a different school this year. Any tips for making new friends? #herchatEmpowHER
Changing schools can be tough. Here are some ways to help your child make new friends this school year.
http://t.co/eUTkqTWg7f #HERchatDr. Gail Gross
RMT @TheBullyDoctor 160k students stay home each day b/c they're afraid of #bullies-I'd start by talking to the child/school #HERchatEmpowHER
Future friends are everywhere you look- play at the school playground, and visit the local library storytime. #HERchatMichelle King Robson
Involvement (for both of you) helps. Is there a club or sports team your child might like to join? #HERchatMichelle King Robson
Q9: My last child leaves for college this year - i'll soon have an empty nest. What can I do to cope? #herchatEmpowHER
A9: Find a hobby you enjoy doing and enjoy time with close friends and family! #HERchatErin Kennedy
A9: This is a wonderful time to rediscover your own interests and reconnect with yourself and your partner. Take classes, travel #herchatDr. Gail Gross
A9. 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 Rogers
We are out of time! Thank you @DrGailGross for co-hosting - thank you to everyone for participating! #herchatEmpowHER
We hope your #backtoschool prep goes smoothly! Please continue to send us your back to school tips #herchatEmpowHER
Here 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
