Dr. Swanson has written the book for all parents who have ever lamented about their kids making them nuts. Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It is a must read for all parents. I know my kiddos try to manipulate us all the time. It's chock full of wonderful, practical advice for parents to better understand and handle their kids' behavior.
Dr. Swanson has the following tips for back to school:
*Before school starts, send your child to bed at the normal school year bedtime.
*Start waking your child up at the same time he would if school were in session. (Waking up early is a great trick for getting a child to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.)
*Begin to set limits around things that conflict with school-year priorities (video games, television, overnights, e.g.).
*If assigned, make sure that your child's summer academic projects are completed and ready to be handed in.
*Put other structured routines--such as dinner time, baths/showers, and hygiene rituals--back into place.
*Regardless of the stress, fight the battles of getting back to the normal routine now. Waiting for the school year to return will only add to your stress.
*Lastly, take your child shopping for school clothes and supplies. Usually, new clothes and supplies elevate a child's excitement about returning to school.
Dr. Swanson's new book is Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It (Perigee, Sept. 2009). You can learn more about him at www.SwansonContiandAssociates.com.
