You have to enjoy the summer holidays while you can in the UK as all too quickly September looms and it’s BACK TO SCHOOL!

Whether your child is returning to school to start a new year or whether they are going for the first time, there are plenty of things to get organised and prepare for. Even children who love school may feel just a little anxious before going back so reduce any possible stress by being completely sorted and not leaving everything until the last minute.

Are you ready?

Have you thought of and bought or booked the following?

• Uniform


• Sports kit


• Shoes


• School bag and games bag


• Booked school lunches


• Lunch box and flask


• Snack box


• Waterproof coat


• Allergy details for the teacher


• Pens, rulers, pencil case etc


• Haircuts


• Getting together with another child in the same year before the start of term

Don’t forget to:

Label everything in sight! Sew on, iron on , stick on or transfer ...there is a name tape for every article.

Uniform

Lucy Siegle of The Observer writes an interesting article about school uniform and mentions Uniform 2 an on line site where you can buy or sell uniforms, musical instruments etc

Tips on going back to school from www.parentlineplus.org.uk

• Start finding your routine again near the end of the holidays. Getting back to school day bedtimes is a good place to start. Then it will not be such a shock when term starts again.


• Try and prepare in advance. Then you won't be in a panic buying uniforms and so on at the last minute - this way you can shop around for the best deals.


• It is OK for you and your kids to feel the 'back to school blues'. But if you feel that your child seems too worried or apprehensive, make sure you take a quiet time out to ask if they are OK.


• Talk about change. Whether it is a new school or a change in your family's circumstances, make time to talk about any fears or worries. Why not visit the school to get your child used to the new journey.


• Your child may be worried about losing friends who are going to a different secondary school or about making new friends. You could try inviting an old school friend round for tea at the end of the first week so they can compare notes.


• Tell your child you are proud of them. If your child is about to start an important year such as GCSEs or first year at secondary school, they need a bit more reassurance.


• Re-address any problems left over from last term. If your child has experienced bullying or has had problems at school, make sure you understand what they want to happen too - even if it just means talking about it.


• Be prepared to give them a bit of leeway for the first week. School can be a long day for kids and when they are out of practice it can be exhausting.

www.parentingcafe.co.uk offers lots of advice on all aspects of parenting and children’s concerns.

Packed Lunches

If your child’s school doesn’t provide cooked lunches or your child simply won’t eat them, then you will have to make a packed lunch each day. This can become a bit tedious especially on those days when “the cupboard is bare”. Try and prepare before you do your weekly shop so that your mornings are not even more fraught than usual. There is loads of information about what to put into kid’s packed lunches but try and start as you mean to go on – don’t surrender to all the pre packed special kid’s things which the supermarkets would have you buy – you spend a fortune, your child throws away endless packaging and lets face, its all processed so can’t be that great for them.

We all run out of ideas so a useful site to look at is www.bbc.co.uk

When deciding what to put in your child's lunch box, it's a good idea to use the national standards for primary school meals as a guide. These standards highlight the importance of offering a variety of food from the four main food groups. Focusing on variety not only makes lunch boxes more interesting, but also means that your child enjoys a balanced lunch that helps to provide the energy and nutrients they need to grow, play, learn and stay healthy.
As well as something to drink, the guidelines advise that school meals must offer at least:
1. One portion of vegetables or salad and one portion of fruit (fresh, canned or dried can all count).
2. One portion of a milk or dairy item such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais or a yoghurt drink.
3. One portion of meat, chicken, fish, eggs, peanut butter, beans or other protein source.
4. One portion of a starchy food, such as bread, pasta, rice, noodles or potatoes.

Putting it into practice

• When making sandwiches or rolls, add variety by using different bread - for example, wholemeal, pitta, granary, tortilla wraps, bagels, walnut or soft grain bread.


• For a change from bread, try rice, noodle or pasta-based salads, a slice of pizza or a colourful mixed salad served with a fresh roll.


• Use protein-rich ingredients for sandwich fillings or salads. Great examples are lean meat, chicken, turkey, tuna, egg, peanut butter, kidney beans, hummus or various types of cheese.


• If practical, include some salad or fruit in the sandwich, roll, wrap or pitta, for example peanut butter and banana; ham and tomato; or chicken, lettuce and avocado.


• Other ways to include salad or fruit are to pop some separately into the lunch box. Try cherry tomatoes, raw vegetables sticks/shapes, half a red pepper, a piece of fruit, fruit salad, small pack of dried fruit or a small can of fruit in juice.


• Aim to make sweet treats, such as chocolate, pastries or rich cakes, occasional rather than everyday items.


• Good lunch box alternatives to sugary food and crisps include: fruit yoghurt, fromage frais, a pot of rice pudding, vegetable sticks plus dip, fruit scone, fruit bun, malt loaf, oat cakes, breadsticks, wholewheat biscuits, piece of fruit cake, a small pack of nuts and seeds and/or dried fruit, a small cereal bar.


• If giving crisps or other savoury snacks use small bags (no more than 25g to 28g) and look for reduced fat and salt versions, such as crisps or nuts with no added salt.


• Include drinks that aren't just sugary water. Water, milk (plain or flavoured), pure fruit juice, fruit smoothies and yoghurt drinks make good choices. Juices still contain natural sugars so are best kept to meal times and/or drunk with a straw.

Still won't forgo the crisps to try new food?

Sometimes we all need that extra bit of encouragement to try new things. It can often help to involve them in lunch box planning and/or shopping. If that still doesn't tempt them, then try the sticker reward system.

Each time they try a new, healthier lunch box food or drink, give them a star or sticker (on a wall chart or special notebook). Once they collect say, five stars, give them a small reward, such as a comic, family walk or outing (best to make it a non-food reward and agree what it will be at the outset).

Linking the new food to a positive experience - plus the fact that they may well like it once they try it - can help to establish new tastes and habits.