Helping Your Child to Deal with Change

Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for our children and for us. Starting something new always means change and all of us respond to change differently. Many of us welcome it but many of us are filled with apprehension and fear. Many of your children will be starting elementary school for the very first time. Others will be starting preschool for the first time and others will be carrying on in elementary school but in a new grade with different expectations and more than likely a new teacher.

Starting school or starting a new grade is exciting but also can be frightening because we don't know what to expect. Many preschoolers will be separating from us for the first time. Some children separate easily while others have a difficult time with separation and need lots of time to ease into a new situation. It's important for us to be sensitive to what our children are going through as they enter a world that is completely new to them. Remember, every child is a unique individual. I remember when my son started Grade 1 and he suddenly realized he had to be there all day. I had a week of having to coax him back into the classroom with the teacher's help. I remember him saying to me while we were standing outside the school: "Grade 1 takes too long!!" We of course got past that once he started feeling comfortable with his teacher and new friends.

Prior to starting school for the first time, whether it is preschool or elementary school, it helps if children can become familiar with the building and the surrounding neighborhood before their first day. You might mark the day on a calendar for them and cross days off as the start time approaches. We need to be careful that we don't create too much of a build up nor do we want to suggest to them that they might be frightened the first day.

How we respond to change and new situations teaches our children either to approach new experiences with excitement or with heightened anxiety. Some of you may be starting a new job or going back to school yourself. Fear of the unknown is usually a predominant theme in our anticipation of new beginnings, which is normal. How we respond to our fear is what's important. Do we allow it to block us from moving forward or do we allow ourselves to face it and experience the reward at the other end? Do we find ourselves dwelling on the "what if this happens or that happens" or do we approach the new situation with optimism? When it comes to change, what kind of role model do you want to be for your children.

Barbara Desmarais is a Parenting and Life Coach who has worked with parents for over 16 years. She is the mother of 2 teenageres and twin adult step-sons. She coaches parents privately helping them to find solutions to their parenting challenges. She also is a workshop and conference presenter addressing topics related to parenting.

---

You Dont Need a Supernanny to Be an Active Parent

The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More

The B Word

Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More

The Muffed Dance

Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Back to School Blues

Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More

Anti Scooter Media Frenzy

An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More

Can Mineral Deficiencies Lead to Behavioral Problems in Children?

A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More

How Do You Find the Best Car Seat to Protect Your Child

Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More

Paediatric Osteopathy

All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More

Is There Any Real Use For A Fun Quiz?

Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More

Adderall and Its Side-Effects

Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More

Potty Training ?To Train or Not to Train?

I have always found the notion of toilet training a... Read More

Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet

The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More

The Mystery of Picky Eaters

If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More

How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?

I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More

How A Home Water Filter Can Reduce Your Child?s Risk Of Learning Disabilities

Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More

Car Wash Fundraiser Preparation

Are you considering a car wash fundraiser for your group?... Read More

Potty Training Battle of the Wills

Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More

Let Your Children Name the New Baby

Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More

How Fathers Can Step Up to Fathering

When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More

SMUT Spelled Backwards is TUMS

Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More

Winning The Whining War

Jason Meridith's two-year old son whines when he wants more... Read More

End Babysitter Abuse

Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More

Home For The Holidays: Ask Yourself Some Questions

Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More

Single Parents: Give Yourselves Credit

Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More

How To Entertain A Child While Working From A Home Office

There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More

Some Good News About Blended Families

They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Do We Mean by Attention Anyway?

When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More

5 Ways To Tell If A Preschooler Is Living In Your House

1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More

Secret Of Your Genuis Child

Here is a top secret to make your child genius... Read More

Teach Your Children How To Resolve Conflict Without Using Anger Or Power

Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More

Dealing with Lying: The Dos and Donts

Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More

Visiting the Library

Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More

COMMITMENT: Teaching Children the Lessons of a Lifetime

It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More