In case you didn’t take part in the Tween Academy where we discussed tweens going back to school, I have a summary for you and an awesome giveaway. The chat took place on September 20th and featured Rosalind Wiseman, renowned parenting expert and author of the New York Times bestseller Queen Bees and Wannabes.
We discussed the back to school transition period for families of tweens which included suggestions and advice around these topics:
Making Friends
- Encourage your tween to make friends and help with this effort. Be open to talk to you tween.
- Look to sports or groups such as scouting, school clubs, etc. to offer opportunities to make friends, especially if you tween is shy.
Bullying
- Keep the lines of communication open between you and your tween so they can come to you if there is a problem with bullying, teasing, etc.
- Learn about the school rules about bullying and seek the school’s help if needed.
- Remember that bullying can take place online. Take steps to monitor your tween’s online and cell phone activity.
Organization
- Help your tween become involved in being organized. For example if you do the laundry, your tween puts their clothes away.
- Teach them responsibility for forgetting homework, items for PE, lunch, etc. Give them two chances where you will help out first.
- Create reminders that work for your tween. For example, leave their deodorant near their toothbrush and their homework near their backpack.
You can read the full summary of the Tween Academy Chat on theMotherHood.com with Rosalind Wiseman and take part in the upcoming Tween Academies – Tweens and Personal Hygiene (September 28) and Tweens and Communication (October 4). Rosalind Wiseman is taking part in the Stop Bullying: Speak Up Campaign and will appear with Anderson Cooper and Dr. Phil at 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 9 and 14 (check local listings for channels).
Giveaway
A gift pack from Unilever (the sponsor of the Tween Academy) which includes a Vera Bradley bag; one sample each of Dove, Degree Girl and Degree Men deodorant; and Rosalind Wiseman’s books Queen Bees and Wannabes and Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials.
Rules
- Contest starts now and ends October 7th midnight EST.
- Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
- One submission per household (not entry)
- Winner will be chosen by Random.org
- Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email
How To Enter
For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)
1. Leave a comment about something you do to help your tween (or any age child) with their return to school.
2. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID
3. Follow this blog on Bloglovin’ Please leave a comment that you did.
4. Share this post on Facebook by using the button at the top of the post. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Facebook ID.
5. Leave a meaningful comment (not “great post†or “thanks for sharingâ€) on another blog post that isn’t a giveaway. Please let me know which post.
6. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet):
#Win Unilver Giftpack @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/r4v4zu #giveaway #DontFretTheSweat
I was provided with the same giftpack and a stipend from Unilver and theMotherHood.com for my posts and taking part in the live chat on September 20th.
Giveaway Ended
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Twitter: vickiecouturier
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we help by starting the week before school starts on a schedule,going to bed earlier an gettting up early so its not such a shock to the body all at once
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Twitter: vickiecouturier
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My son is only in preschool, but we’ve helped him by telling him he’d be starting ahead of time to make the adjustment easier.
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Twitter: hewella1
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We start by getting more organized and going to bed earlier.
Twitter: TheAngelForever
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Before school starts we sit and talk about fears, hopes, wishes, and dreams for the school year. My oldest gets very anxious, so trying to get some of these items and positives in the open helps. Thanks for the fun.
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Give a good pep talk:)
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I always let mine know that I was available for talk, that they would be heard. I let them know that, even if they did something bad or wrong, if they told me about it first, I’d help them figure out how to undo it and make things right rather than rush to punishment. This approach served to make me in the loop with most of what went on at school and around the neighborhood in ways that some parents weren’t.
I also welcomed the kids into our house. During the tween years, they were learning their instruments and my dining room was converted to a music room with guitars, basses, amp, mics, etc. I even had a set of congas. This not only encouraged their music, but gave them a safe place that they wanted to be after school.
Now my grand daughter is entering the tween years.
I follow you on twitter as mbm218
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#Win Unilver Giftpack @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/r4v4zu #giveaway #DontFretTheSweat
I constantly remind our kids of how wonderful they are and how important is is to share with us any concerns they have at school, including being bullied. Since they have very healthy self esteem, they are not bullied, but I want to know about it if they ever are so I can promptly deal with the situation.
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Commented on the Tonsillectomy post!
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i enhance my child’s education by making my daughter read Kafka Dostoevsky milton machiavelli and the economist magazine this is why i am so clever because i read these when i was twelve. i do not overwhelm her !!!!!!!!!!!!
i give my child my 100.000 education !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! was cheaper in thhe 90′s
Twitter: vickiecouturier
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I let my son do his own back-to-school shopping (I went along to “help carry the bags”) so he could pick out his own clothes, backpack, etc. I did this so he would feel confident in his look and wouldn’t have to be concerned about it in any way.
I follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter @AsTheNight.
With my tween, this year has been one of change. I have tried to help her deal with the changes by letting her know everything is normal, its all science and while she might be one of the first kids in her class going through it, that everyone will – in due time. It helps that her older sister is all about taking care of herself and is not afraid to talk with me about anything, so lines of communication are open all around.
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I help by shopping with my tween.
I am following you now on twitter cubby3180
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Twitter: 89linz
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I don’t have a child, but I’m a college student. I get myself prepared by getting everything organized before classes start and getting into a sleep schedule.
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When my daughter was in school, I used to tell her that junior high/high school will be one of the most fun and challenging times of her life. To not worry, everyone is feeling ‘weird’ because everyone is changing and growing.
I think it made her feel better knowing she wasnt alone.
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Twitter: vickiecouturier
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Even though my daughter walks to & from school, I pick her up at the top of our neighborhood each day on her walk home. She knows that’s a good time to talk to me one on one (without her little brother around) about her school day!
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chirpity doo
comment on 12 Year Old Tonsillectomy Experience
I woulda commented anyway
Just need to talk to them about their fears and stress factors,
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I home school my tween and teen due to issues with the local school system.I used to let them each go pick out a nice new outfit and a day of pampering the weekend before school started.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
we start adjusting my nephews sleep schedule 2 weeks before school starts. we have him go to bed earlier each night and get up earlier each day. it really helps!
twitter follower @xferriza2
As my kids get older, keeping an open line of communication gets more difficult but it’s my job to make sure that happens. I need to make sure they can feel they can always talk to me about what is going on in their lives in and out of school.
Shared on facebook (Contest KAO). Thanks.
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Twitter: vickiecouturier
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For younger kids, I find it helpful to bring them to school a week or so before it officially starts so they can meet their teacher and see their new classroom. I think this way when they go the first day they won’t feel so nervous.
I LET THEM SHOP BY THEMSELVES
My older child started Kindergarten, so I had to start enforcing a bedtime and getting our tasks done the night before.
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I go to the ‘meet the teacher’ night and make sure the teacher has my email, and knows that I want to be notified if he is having any kind of problems. We can’t help them succeed if we don’t communicate. My sons know, if they are having any kind of problem in school, they will get any help they need.
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I’d help them by being encouraging and making sure they had everything they needed.
I follow on twitter (@RebeccaFH).
Twitter: dddiva
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Haha we shop! A lot. We also prep everything we can ahead of time.
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I help my daughter get everything she needs together the night before, so she can relax at breakfast with me in the morning.
brittneydejajason at gmail dot com
I help her get prepared for the day ahead of her, fix a great breakfast each morning, listen carefully, and stay up on what is going on in the school.
Following on twitter: jashelep
We have a shopping day with just us to let her pick out clothes she feels comfortable in for back to school.
getting them in the routine a few days before
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We get back in schedule about two weeks before school starts
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I would set a schedule a week prior (get them up early, etc) so that first day runs smooth.
Follow you on Twitter @snowluvnferret2
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My stepson started getting up early two full weeks before school started. That way he was ready to get up for school before school started.
I talk to my boys about feeling, about treating others the way you want to be treated, and I make sure they know they can come to me with any problem and we can find a solution together. I will always have thier back, they are not alone.
follow on twitter @kdkdkd
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/kdkdkd/status/122083084899336192
We help by making sure everything is ready to go a couple of days before.
https://twitter.com/#!/mbm218/status/122099902254817281
Before school starts we start by getting the kids to bed early!
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We plan ahead. Before bed, every is ready for the next morning – bookbag, lunch, clothes.
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twitter follower – juleemm
We make lists to stay organized and keep up with everything.
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I let my child pick out her first day of school clothes
I follow your blog on blog lovin and like you on Facebook! I would love to win this! My kids and I start by celebrating the begininning of the school year. We go to dinner and a movie after I pick them up from their first day and we do their homework together. Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
Renee Walters
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My boys are in elementary school, but we make sure we get enough sleep and stick with a schedule as much as possible.
I try to get them to bed earlier.
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I give my nephew lots of praise and time to work on school work together
Blogtacular contest! Thanks so much! Janna Johnson Jannajanna@hotmail.com
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I help my tween with brushing up with her math skills that she might have lost during summer break
I shared on facebook fb name brittney house
I make sure my son’s backpack is organized every night and that he gets a good breakfast in the morning! Thanks!
I shared on Facebook.
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My daughter is 14 and going back to school this year has been really hard. I just keep trying to encourage her that it will get better. I just try to be there and listen when she needs me.
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10/7 tweety pie
i made them lunch
Twitter: 5memb
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I make sure she wakes up in the morning and has a good breakfast.
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I try to always make school be a positive. Being positive about it helps everyone in the long run…even when things are not going so well.
My little one isnt a tween, he just started school this year, but to get him ready we had a conversation about what school was for and what he was going to do at school every day, and the first day I went into the classroom with him so he wouldn’t be scared.
I follow ConnieFoggles on twitter – @mariagabriel6
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I help my nephew with her return to school by buying her cute and stylish clothes for the first day back. A Vera Bradley bag would definitely help though. : )
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Wake up early every day before school starts
I start the kids on an earlier bedtime and earlier wake up time at least a week before school starts.
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Twitter: skipthelaundry3
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I’m making my tween responsible this year for picking out his own clothes and making sure he keeps his school books papers organized I bring them and put them in his room everyday to go through.
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We try and talk about all the changes that might happen, different friends, different teachers, different part of school etc.
I help them get new clothes
I´ve tried to help choose outfits but evidently I am totally out of the loop about that.
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Twitter: susitravl
says:
My son is not a good sleeper – he has severe asthma and is sometimes awake several times during the night for breathing treatments. Because of that (I want him to get as much sleep as possible) he has an earlier bedtime on school nights, and we try to ease him into that new routine a few weeks beforehand, even though he doesn’t like going to bed at “the same time as babies”. ha
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Twitter: TextbookMommy
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To help my daughter with back to school I make sure they have all the supplies they need, and that they are prepared with a good daily routine!
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We started cyber school last year, best decision I ever made. One of the reasons was the bullying.
Twitter: mkjmc
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Make sure she gets plenty of rest and let her know her friends are welcome anytime
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I work with teens/tweens as a counselor and I try to always ask about how they are treated in school and how they treat others. It’s so sad that this has become such a huge problem! We need to help save our young ones!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I leave notes of encouragement in my kids’ lunches.
I remind them to make good choices and I encourage them to do good things.
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we help by getting on a good schedule before school starts and trying to get together with frinds new or old that wll be in their class before school starts
twitter follower CarrieAn13
I try to get the sleeping habits in place before school starts…
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Thank you for this website…I can really relate to some of these posts…
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We spend the day before getting all the things they are going to need for the first day and letting them choose their outfit for the next day. We also plan a favorite family dinner and talk about the things their looking forward to in the new school year and things they might be a little scared or nervous about.
I help by making sure they have all the needed supplies before school and making a special breakfast on the first day of school.
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I follow on twitter as @AFTolar.
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I don’t have children yet, but I have been sending my nieces cards for the first day of school since they were both in kindergarten. It’s just a way for them to know that no matter what I am thinking about them and I love them.
The best thing we try to do it encourage self worth and self discipline. I wish I had had both growing up!
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get on a schedule
my teen son was staying up late all summer so about a week before school started i took the ps3 out of his room to get him back in the swing of going to bed earlier
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One of the things we remind our girls every time school begins is to not only stand up for themselves against bullies but to stand up for someone else being bullied. Also, to always be the first to be kind to the new person in school. And let us NEVER hear of them being mean to someone because they are different!
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My daughter is not old enough to go to school yet, but I will start a routine early enough with her: getting clothes ready for the week, and have lunches planned in advance.
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I follow you on Bloglovin’ , but I guess there isn’t a username option. I use this same email to follow you.
We homeschool so it’s no big deal for my tween!
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We put the laptop on a desk in the living room so homework help is a yelp away.
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We start by getting back to earlier bedroom routines. We also go back to school clothings and supplies shopping
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My wife and I sit down before school starts and talk about what’s going to happen and what to expect when my son goes to school.
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We stick to a schedule all week long that makes the transition easier.
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Thanks for the giveaway…following YOU via Twitter: @brianpiero
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we start going to be earlier and getting up early as well about a week before school starts to help with getting back in the routine
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