How to stay cool when going back to school- Guest Blog by Corinne Soares, LCSW

How to stay cool when going back to school

When my son was born almost 6 years ago the transition into motherhood was a big one, but I handled it well by having a great support group and asking plenty of other mom's for advice. Then last year I transitioned again - into motherhood of a school age child. I am happy to say I survived my son's kindergarten year (with a few tears from both him and I of course) and now we are gearing up for first grade.

The first day of school will quickly be upon us and it can create stressful feelings in both parents and kids. I always feel it is better to be proactive rather than reactive, so here on some ideas on easing the transition back into school:

1. Take the mystery out of the first day of school. If your child is attending a new school make sure they are familiar with the school. Take them on campus, show them their classroom, bathroom locations, administration offices and where drop off/pick up is. This can help ease any anxiety your child may have about how they will navigate their new surroundings. Many school's also have a 'meet and greet' with the teachers a week before school. I encourage you to attend these with your children so you can both meet their teacher and see their classroom.

2. Stock up on supplies! With all the budget cuts in the schools it has left classroom supplies very limited. Be sure your child is stocked up on supplies appropriate to their grade level. This can also build some excitement in your children as they prepare their backpacks with fresh paper, binders, crayons and pencils. Also be sure you have a meal plan prepared. If your child will eat a hot lunch be sure they have money on their school account or stock your fridge with some of their favorite lunch items for cold lunch. Disney Family Fun offers some fun and fresh ideas for your kid's lunches and snacks.

3. Start the school routine early. Summer vacation can throw kid's schedules off in a big way. As a parent I am often guilty of letting my kids stay up later during the summer time, causing my kids to go to bed later and have a hard time waking up in the mornings. One or two weeks before school starts begin to implement their school week schedule. Have your kids go to bed and wake up during their school hours so the first week of school isn't a shock to their system.

4. Keep the learning experience strong, year around. Summer learning loss occurs when kids do not engage in educational experiences throughout the summer. A recent segment on the Today show stated that kids can lose approximately 2.6 months of their grade level during the summer months. This can cause kids to feel very frustrated when school starts again and make homework a battle. With fun summer activities it can be hard to coax your kids into traditional learning activities, so make them fun! Many video games or phone's now have educational apps or programs kids can benefit from. You can also engage them in outdoor learning activities so kids don't have to choose between the outdoors or brushing up on their skills.

5. Keep an open dialogue going with your kids and the school. As the school year begins talk to your kids about what they like about school and what they dislike. It is normal that your child isn't going to love everything about school. Build on the good points to keep your child motivated. If there are ongoing concerns be sure to communicate with your child's teacher to see if education services such as tutoring or an IEP is needed. Parents and teachers both want their kids to succeed so work together, not against each other.

So take a deep breath and put on a smile. Transitions can be bumpy but with the proper tools and right attitude, you and your child can make the transition back into school as smooth as possible and set the stage for a great school year.

This special guest blog was written by Corinne Soares, LCSW.  You can read more of Corinne's informative blogs here: Notes from a Therapists Desk. Join Corinne and avecinia wellness center on August 16th at 6pm for a special, "Back to School" night at avecinia wellness center. Learn more tips and techniques to helping your family have a great school year, what Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified and the State of California are requiring for vaccinations and more! Call us at 559-450-7299 to learn more and RSVP!


For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page (facebook.com/avecinia) and follow avecinia on twitter (twitter.com/avecinia4health). avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com We look forward to meeting you!

Obesity in Fresno and You!

The Central Valley has the highest overall rate of obesity in California (See Prevalence of Obesity amongst Adults Age 18 and Over) and almost 1 in 3 kids in California are overweight or obese.   Obesity amongst minority (ethnic and socio-economic) children is even more rampant.  The cost of obesity, to families, employers, the health care industry and the government is approximately $21 billion (Obesity and Diabetes: Two Growing Epidemics in California, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, August 2010).  Without serious efforts to address this growing epidemic, there may be no turning back. 

It will take a collective effort, the effort of health care providers, parents, children and the community to start making a difference. The following are examples of things parents and children can do, health care providers and the community can do and an example of something being done right here in Fresno!

Parents and children:

Parents are the biggest influences in their children’s lives. As a parent, you have the power to turn off the TV, select what you and your family will eat, structure how you will spend time with your kids and be healthy role models.  Start with:

• Let your kids let it out, the energy that is.  Get your kids to play, run around, be physical for at least an hour a day. Avoid using restriction of play as a disciplinary measure;
• Turn off the tube.  Not only does TV time decrease play time, the “foodless fridge” also inundates your kids with marketing for sugary snacks and other unhealthy food;
• Get them to bed.  Create a sleep friendly environment and habits. DO NOT PUT A TV OR COMPUTER IN THEIR ROOM.  Have quiet time before bed time.  Talk to your doctor about including safe, natural sleep supplements such as melatonin in your diet.  Studies show that children and adults who sleep less than 8 hours have higher levels of hormones that make you feel hungry and lower levels of hormones that make you feel satisfied; and
• Use the kitchen as family time by cooking healthy meals with your kids.  Not only will the family save money by not eating out, you can eat healthier, teach your kids good habits and bond with them all at the same time.  Who knows, you may even inspire the next Martha Stewart or Emeril!

The community and you:

The community you live in is a reflection of you.  Unfortunately in Fresno and the Central Valley, we have the highest rate of obesity and diabetes in California.  Studies indicate that higher rates of obesity and diabetes impact poorer areas more than wealthier areas.  This can be due to more restricted access to gyms, inadequate food choices, and lack of health care. 

However, the lack of financial resources cannot be an excuse.  Here are some ways you and your community can work together to combat obesity: 

• Here in the San Joaquin Valley, we have access to beautiful, natural gyms- our vast amount of parks, trails and other places to be physically active.  Go for a walk with a loved one, make sure you wear sunscreen;
• If a park is too far or it’s too hot, the community should ask for local schools to be open during the weekend so gyms can be used to hold free fitness classes.  For example, a local business can sponsor a trainer to hold 30 minute aerobic classes on the evenings and/or weekends; and
• Local government can help by restricting the number of permits for fast food restaurants in low-income neighborhoods and incentivizing more grocery stores or farmers markets to locate within those same neighborhoods.   Sometimes people need help in making better choice.

Local business can work with the community to promote healthier living.  That’s what we are doing.  Recognizing the severity of the obesity epidemic in the Central Valley, avecinia wellness center (www.avecinia.com) partnered with Marjaree Mason Center (“MMC”)  (www.mmcenter.org) and donated the services of Registered Dietician Sunny Yingling, MS, RD to develop a nutrition program for MMC clients.  The MMC serves over 86,000 meals, with more than half going to children, children who statistically are more likely to be or become obese. The program helps the MMC pick nutrient dense food items for its clients who then use recipes learned in classes taught by Sunny to bond with their children over meal preparation.  This past June, we partnered with Granville’s Sageberry grand opening to raise money and awareness about childhood obesity and the nutrition program. Through the nutrition program, avecinia, other local businesses and MMC are able to make a small, but important, step in the fight against obesity.   If you are part of a local business and would like to know how you can help make Fresno better, feel free to contact Aamer Hayat at aamer@avecinia.com.

For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page (facebook.com/avecinia) and follow avecinia on twitter (twitter.com/avecinia4health). avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com We look forward to meeting you!