Stress Reducing Home Tips

A good place to start is the household schedule.

• Use a desk pad / enlarged monthly calendar and record all the activities of the family members in separate colors. Include all school and out-of school activities, tests, projects, parties etc.
• Display a 3 month calendar at a central place in your home such as the kitchen or dining room.
• Update the schedule on a daily basis.
• Before confirming appointments and invitations encourage your child to check the schedule.
• Schedule important family relationship building activities such as having a picnic, going for a walk or listening to music together. Honor your commitments.

Another important skills to demonstrate and to develop in your child is being organised.

• Agree on healthy snacks and make sure that you add them to your shopping list
• Prepare lunches for all family members the night before. Share this responsibility with other family members and older children.
• Ask your child to set out his clothes and pack his book and sports bag by 19h00 in the evening.
• Encourage your child to check the schedule and to learn his spelling and tables daily in preparation for the weekly assessments.
• Your child should have a workspace and use tins, folders or other devices to sort stationery and books.
• Homework must be done as soon as your child gets back from school after he has had a healthy protein snack.

Noise is a distraction and it increases irritability and reduces focus. There are a number of ways to reduce noise and increase focus.

• Switch the TV off and encourage your child to read a book, play outside or have fun after doing homework.
• Play soft classical music in the background.
• Encourage your child to use his inside voice and avoid shouting or screaming yourself.
• Make a conscious choice to gently instruct your child in a loving manner.
• When your child is busy with his homework enforce the ‘No disturbing rule’.

We should all aim to minimize stress to the absolute minimum - here are some important factors that contribute to stress.

• Your child should get enough uninterrupted sleep everyday of every week.
• Eating healthy food, drinking enough water and exercising regularly are very important for a healthy body.
• Worrying, moaning and complaining are negative emotions and these can stop one from taking actions – negative emotions increase stress.

I trust that you will water your seed regularly and give it lots of tender love and care! Click on my name below to comment on our 1st eLetter or use the Twitter and Facebook links.