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BOISE, Idaho - Idaho families are working on getting into a groove for back-to-school - and it can bring a lot of pressures. Child development expert Wickes MacColl, a teacher and grants manager for the Idaho Children's Trust Fund. is encouraging families to look at the changes in a different way.
"It could be a stressful time, if you think of it that way, but if you want to think about it, transitions are excellent times for parents and children to reconnect and regroup."
MacColl says setting routines is one of the hardest things for many families to do. All is not lost, however, if it doesn't work out during the first few days back to class.
"If it doesn't happen on the first day of school, it could happen the next Monday. Don't panic if you think you didn't get off to a good start. There's plenty more opportunity."
While the "getting to and from school and activities" routines take precedence, she urges that one-on-one time with kids be on equal footing. Bedtime reading or story rituals, and family dinners, are two ways she suggests to lower stress and strengthen families.
The Idaho Children's Trust Fund offers parenting and de-stressing tips at
idahochildrenstrustfund.state.id.us
