Falling into Fall!

September saw happy children returning for the excitement of a new school year, but by mid-October, the shine of the new year has already begun to lose some of it’s luster for our children. As the novelty of the school year wears off, we should all be mindful of our children’s moods. With the changing of the leaves and the arrival of fall also come increased academics, and the realization that summer -- with all of its fun and free time -- is behind us. Children sometimes need additional support during this transition, and to be reminded of the many things that they said made them happy about the start of the new school year: their teacher, a new friend, etc.

Children need reassuring that this is a temporary feeling. Parents, too, need to remember that the end of this “honeymoon” period is not a cause for alarm, but a natural part of the evolution of any relationship. Your child’s relationship with school will only continue to grow and deepen as the year progresses -- even as it becomes less about the excitement of the first week and new friends, and more about homework, shorter evenings, and higher academic expectations. New surprises will begin to fill the void, and instead of lamenting over the lack of free time, they will get excited about the Annual Halloween Carnival. As the weather changes and they spend less time playing outdoors, they’ll become more interested in special projects in school. As the days become shorter and colder, they’ll miss swimming less and begin to look forward to the promise of snow. Their temporary moodiness, sadness or disappointment may just be part of the natural cycle. Of course, if you think it is something other than growing pains or the end of the “start-of-school-honeymoon,” your child’s teacher, the extended school staff, and I are all here to support you and your child.

In the meantime, enjoy all that autumn and October have to offer with your family. Take your children out for a stroll to enjoy the foliage, go apple-picking, make an autumnal meal or rake some leaves together (and then jump in them!). Time spent with your children will do wonders for them, and you.

-- Randy