Watch out for devious dogs (and other back-to-school tips)

I really couldn’t resist.  This began as a share of a cute animal picture, and then the real, useful information just kept coming.  So here you go – from kindergarten to college, a few last-minute back-to-school tips.

• • Which relationships should your child cultivate?  Should she give her teacher a heads up when not prepared?  This is an important article for your rising (HS) freshman to read.  Teacher Offers Best Advice for High School Freshmen
    

• • With all the focus on grades and achievement, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) gets lost in the IQ shuffle.  Psychologists agree that when it comes to success ingredients in life and career, IQ counts for 10-25%, while EQ is responsible for up to 90%!  EQ vs. IQ : Your Teen’s a Winner with Emotional Intelligence.
    

• • The electronic screen intervention:  Screentime is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy.  Is anyone surprised?  The trick is how to place limits in your own home, withstand the whining, and resist the outside pressure.  No small task, but it is definitely doable.

• • Why Are Today’s College Students So Emotionally Fragile?  Here is some brain science behind young adults who fail to launch.  What many parents consider ‘protecting’ their child is really stifling the brain’s growth in the area of emotional resilience and adaptability.  Will this kind of research help parents find the strength to let go?

• • 4 Things to Talk to Your Children About Before They Go Back to High School.  Students have a lot to cope with these days, from gossip to jealousy to body image issues. Depression, anxiety and low self-esteem may arise, leading to substance use and abuse.

• • Connecting with Your Child’s School Counselor for a Successful School Year.  Guidance counselors handle much more than scheduling, college prep and standardized testing.  Your child’s counselor can be an ally and intermediary for you and your child.

• • 3 Steps to Prepare Your Teen to Be Successful in College.  Sixty percent of students take five to six years to complete college.  Are you okay with those odds?  It takes more than good grades to be prepared for a successful college experience.