30 Don't Pull Your Hair Out, July 2010 Lifestyle Your child starting anew school?


AS summer draws to aclose many par- ents will be waving aschool gate bye- bye to their children for the very first time. Chances aretherewill be tears, excitement and apprehension but by preparing your child, and yourself, for the new school year the first steps in education needn’tbetoo scary.


Be uniform savvy


ENSURE you have alist of school uni- form must-haves directly from the school office to avoid over-spending or under-buying. Many schools sell standarditems themselves that can save dragging grumpy children around shops. Be careful to label items, including shoes, coats and bags, with your child’sname to avoid losses in the PE changing rooms.


Swot up on the rules


WHILE you might be happy for your child to wear jewellery or acertain hairstyle, the school may not. Rightly or wrongly schools arenotoriously


picky about the appearance of their students. So avoid unnecessary argu- ments for you and humiliation for your child by ensuring that you know the school rules and adheretothem.


Get familiar


IF YOU haven’tyet try to familiarise yourself and your child with their new school. Many will host asummer fete wherestudents, teachers and parents will be getting involved –pop along and get to know people who will be involved in your child’sfuture. Or take aregular stroll past the building to get to know the morning route to school and talk to your little one about what they’ll be doing there in the coming months.


Be prepared


EVEN the most outgoing child is bound to feel morethan alittle wor- ried about that big, scary place they call school. While talking to them and telling them about your own time at


school may ease some fears, no par- ent has all the answers. Let favourite characters such as Charlie and Lola help. IAmToo Absolutely Small For School by Lauren Child is available from most bookshops.


Don’tshow fear


ANEW school is just about as terrify- ing as it comes for parents but your little one doesn’thave to know that. Even if you feel like weeping every


time the subject comes up put on a brave face and smile. If you show pos- itivity and happiness your child will fol- low suit, let them know you’reproud of them and believe they’ll love every minute of their new life at school.


Do your maths


IT’S not just the kids who’ll be learn- ing to count this autumn term. Do your research in advance to be financially prepared for the school year.Speak to the school to get afeel for how many trips you’ll be expected


to pay for and what lunches aremost likely to cost you. Youmight even ask around parents


of older children to find out what equipment they consider amust or hidden costs you might not have con- sidered.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36