remember that it is their name on the paper. Illness – It’s back to school and back to a room full of germs. Stock your child’s backpack or desk with tissues and hand sanitizer. Remind them to wash their hands and to sneeze into their arm. Join extracurriculars – Encourage your child to join activities at school. It gives them a sense of belonging and they will be more than just another face in the crowd. Keep Trying – It is hard to see your child not get the role, position or grade that he hoped for. Encourage your child to pick himself back up and try again. Disappointment builds character and gives them the tools to succeed. after school. Combine unstructured play with friends with a more structured team practice. Friends – Encourage your child to invite new friends over so you can get to know the person your child is spending time with. It is a great opportunity to meet the friend’s parents, too. Grab and Go Snacks – Your child will be hungry after school. Instead of grabbing a handful of cookies, provide them with pre-bagged healthy snacks that won’t interfere with the dinner hour. Think veggies and dip or hummus and crackers. Help your child, but don’t do it for him – We want our children to succeed, but they will never learn if we do everything for them. It is okay to give suggestions but 84 HAWAII PARENT May/June 2024 Encouraging your child to engage in activities they enjoy outside of academics allows them to decompress, destress, and refocus before tackling responsibilities. “We want our children to succeed, but they will never learn if we do everything for them.”
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