August
“…Sun protection doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive — it needs to be consistent…”
UV Damage Prevention Month
This month’s goal is to discuss a few of the many issues that might arise when your skin is subjected to an excessive amount of ultraviolet (UV) light.
In addition, you can get recommendations on how to shield yourself and the people you care about from the damaging effects of the sun's rays.
Follow the link provided below for more information on the topics listed including some pointers on how to avoid being exposed to ultraviolet light (UV):
UV Exposure
Protect yourself
Sun Safety Quiz
Check your Skin
Self Exam
Learn more:
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun.html
7 Ways to Start the School Year Right
By Janeen Lewis
Welcoming structure and routine back into family life helps get kids who are reluctant to return to school more motivated to go. With a positive attitude and a few back-to-school motivators, even reluctant school goers can start the school year off right. And getting off on the right foot paves the way for school success for the entire year.
1. Reintroduce routines
It’s easy to get off schedule during the summer when longer days beckon kids outside late and sleeping in is easy to do. Introduce routines for going to bed and waking up before school starts to adjust. Read a book together as a family to simulate academic routine before daily homework starts. If you have tweens or teens that have been staying up late, take their bedtime back 15 minutes every night until you get to the desired bedtime, so it isn’t too much of a shock to kid’s sleep cycles.
2. Get organized
Organize those areas that you will use for school preparations. Make a place for lunch and breakfast items in the refrigerator and pantry so they will be ready to go when making lunches or breakfast. Restock home desk supplies and prep study areas. Organize your laundry room with baskets for school uniforms, sports uniforms, and individual kid’s clothes. Don’t overlook your vehicle. Keep a basket with all the things you might need for those busy hectic drives between school, work, and after-school activities.
3. Purge last year’s items
Go through backpacks and closets and get rid of anything that is outgrown or worn out. Sell the nicest items at consignment stores or a yard sale and save what you make to put toward new items this school year. If your child has a hard time letting go of items even though they are worn out or do not fit, try putting them in storage for a month or two, then bring them back out. I have done this with my own kids, and usually they are willing to give up the items when they realize they have not missed them.
4. Devise a shopping strategy
After you have purged your home of old items, it is fun to replace them. Sometimes kids get excited about returning to school because they get new clothes and supplies. Check out all the sales flyers and compare prices for the things your child needs. Make a shopping list of needed school supplies, clothing items and any organizing tolls you might need for closets. If your school has already sent a supply list, you can ship early and avoid the crowds and out-of-stock items. Sometimes I even shop late in the evening for school supplies when the aisles are less crowded so I can look carefully for what my kids need. The more you plan, the more you can do in one trip. You might even make it a special day out with [the] kids.
5. Attend school orientation
Sneak-a-peak. Back-to-School Night. Readyfest. They are called a variety of names, but back-to-school orientations are another way to create a desire to go back to school. Students can meet their teacher, check out their classroom and see friends they haven’t seen all summer. This can make students previously hesitant to return to school eager to get started.
6. Set goals
Help your child set a goal for the school year or set a family goal together. Maybe your child wants to ace pre-algebra, start a kid blog, or read more books than they read last year. Or maybe he or she wants to kick more goals in soccer this year or nail that back handspring they have been working on in gymnastics. As a family, maybe you want to volunteer together at school or raise money for a worthy cause in the community. Setting goals can motivate kids and families to have an amazing school year.
7. Celebrate with back-to-school tradition
It can be simple, like snapping a morning photo shoot before the first day of school, or elaborate, like hosing a neighborhood back-to-school bash at your house. Have a family meal at your favorite restaurant after the first day or plan a special weekend getaway before homework and sporting events kick in. Whatever you choose, model an upbeat attitude about the start of a new school year, and chances are your child will too.
Janeen Lewis is a writer, elementary teacher, and mom. She has been published in several parenting publications across the country and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales.
Drowning Prevention: KNOW THE SIGNS
Know the Signs
What does drowning look like? You may think of the violent splashing and cries for help that you see on television. However, this is often not the case. Drowning is generally quick, silent, and can happen in smaller inflatable pools and even bathtubs. The instinctive drowning response disables victims from being able to wave or call out for help. Drowning people often cannot control their arm movements.
Some common signs that someone is drowning include:
1. Head low in the water tilted back, mouth open at water level.
2. Glassy (or closed) eyes.
3. Hair over forehead or eyes.
4. They don’t appear to be using their legs—upright in a vertical position.
5. Hyperventilating or gasping.
6. Trying to swim in a particular direction but not moving.
7. Trying to roll onto their back.
Prevention
You do not have to avoid beaches and pools during the summer to ensure your child’s safety. But, how can we prevent drowning?
Always be sure to:
1. Watch kids when they are in or around water. If there is more than one adult present, taking turns can be helpful for avoiding distractions.
2. Empty bathtubs, buckets, containers, and kids’ pools immediately after use to avoid accidents.
3. Install fences around home pools. Fences should be at least 4ft tall with self-latching gates.
4. Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills – it could help save a life.
--[For full article, see Boston Parents Paper, August 2022]