Changing school is Painful

Adolescents find it difficult to adapt to new schools when their parents change cities. From dealing with peer group acceptance at the new school, to proving their worth in a new environment, changes can take a toll on a teenager’s mind. The process can be especially daunting if the shift is from a school in a smaller city or town to a metropolis, or when there is a shift in their education board.

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT CAREFULLY FOR

Dramatic drop in grades

Playing truant from school

Difficulty in making friends

Sleep and appetite disturbances

Refusal to participate in family issues

Blaming parents, getting into fights

Withdrawn Drug abuse in extreme cases

DO AND DON'TS TO MAKE THE TRANSITION

Magnify the positives, make the transition exciting

Prepare the child for the change

Keep contact with previous friends and the former city Plan short visits to previous city

Don’t compare with siblings, saying,“Your brother/ sister has adjusted so well.”

Take community help to gain familiarity in a new place

Related :

How much time do you spend with your child

With a little care parenting can be fun

Choosing a name for your baby is not an easy task

Choosing a name for your precious little newborn baby can be quite a task. Remember that your child will have this name for their whole life, and is your first gift to your child, so make it something special. As you browse through website after website of baby names, it can do one of two things for you. Either it can introduce a name you haven't thought of or it can just cause great confusions and make the task even harder for you .
Here are some tips to help you to get a sweet and great name for your little baby :

1. Furnish the lists of names you love, like, honour etc. and both you and your partner compare the lists - are there names you both love? Add more and strike out you dislike.

2. Some people choose their baby's name based on what it means and it may require a consultation with friends and relatives or a dictionary.
3. One very important factor is if the name will age gracefully, what fits a baby or young child may not fit an older person. Consider this carefully.
4. Make sure the name sounds good with your last name. Pronounce it .
5. Consider carefully names inspired by your religious beliefs i.e. name of God etc, which may not suit the child when he/she grows up .
6. Think about how it might be shortened. People shorten their names, and you need to choose one that you like and will still sound good with the surname .You know, young friends called themselves with horrible shortened names .
7. This is important : Sometimes there are several variations on a name, and different spellings of the same name. A unique spelling may help your child stand out, but may make for headaches when it comes to correcting people and paperwork!

Confused again ? There's a lot of room for the unusual, unique, and offbeat, and the choice is yours. Go as you like , you have the liberty to do it .

Courtesy

How much time do you spend with your children ?

Thousands of dads have spent the much-needed quality time with their kids this Christmas. But how can they make sure this closeness lasts through 2008? A recent survey found that one in four kids don’t count their father as being part of their family.
BE A GREAT DAD :-
1.Balance work and family time:
Young children will demand your time as soon as you get home — regardless of how difficult your day has been. Try to leave work behind you by avoiding starting stressful jobs in the last half hour of the day and winding down on your way home by listening to music.
2.Have a ‘getting home’ routine:
A big hug when you walk through the front door and taking time to listen to what your child has been up to is crucial. Try to set aside time each night to help them with everyday tasks.
3.Find out what’s going on in their life:
Asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer will open up the possibility of real conversation between you.
4.Remember one-on-one time:
If you have more than one child, try to spend time with them individually. Doing things you both enjoy helps develop skills and interests.
5.Help with schoolwork:
Reading stories instills good habits and creates a great bedtime routine. At weekends, surf the Internet with your kids. Volunteer to pick up your child from school, taking the opportunity to visit their classroom and meet their teacher.
6.Carve out some Dad-only time:
Keep Saturday or Sunday mornings as “Dadonly” time. And plan something fun to do.
7.If you only see your kids on weekends...:
Make concrete arrangements and stick to them. Forget expensive trips or gifts — your children will benefit most from time spent doing everyday activities.

With a little care, parenting can be fun !

Parenting is a tough job, and maintaining close relationships and open communications helps to ensure parents and their children stay connected through all ages of their upbringing. Here are some simple tips for enhancing the bond.
Say I love you:
Tell your child you love him every day — no matter his age. Even on trying days or after a parent-child disagreement, it is more important than ever to express your love. A simple ‘I love you’ goes a long way toward strengthening a relationship.
Teach your faith:
Teach your child about your faith. Tell him what you believe and why. Allow time for your child to ask questions and answer them honestly. Reinforce those teachings often.
Establish a special name:
Create a special name for your child that is positive and special or a secret code word that you can use between each other. Use the name as a simple reinforcement of your love.
Maintain a special bedtime ritual:
For younger children, reading a favourite bedtime book or telling stories is a ritual that will be remembered always. Once children start reading, have them read a chapter, or short book to you. Even most teenagers still enjoy the ritual of being told goodnight in a special way by their parents.
Let your children help you:
Unloading groceries after going to the store is a good example of something that children of most ages can and should assist with. Choosing which shoes look better with your dress lets a child know you value her opinion. Of course, if you ask, be prepared to live with the choice made!
Play with your children:
It doesn’t matter what you play, just enjoy each other! Let kids see your silly side.
Eat meals as a family:
Eating together sets the stage for conversation and sharing. Don’t rush through a meal. When schedules permit, really talk and enjoy one another.
Think creatively:
Whether it is a walk around the neighbourhood, a special trip to a playground, or just a movie night with just the two of you, it is important to celebrate each child individually. Think creatively and the opportunities created will be ones that you remember, always.
Respect your kid’s choices:
It is important to respect those choices. Children reach out for independence at a young age, and parents can help to foster those decision-making skills by being supportive and even looking the other way on occasion.
Make them a priority:
Your children need to know that you believe they are a priority in your life. Children can observe excessive stress and notice when they feel you are not paying them attention. Sometimes, part of being a parent is not worrying about the small stuff and enjoying your children. They grow up so fast, and every day is special. Do make the most of it. You could start right away!