Now is the time to start getting back to a normal sleep routine. Between sleepovers, camp, and other summer activities, your kids might not have a sleep routine. Having a good sleep routine is important for kids and teens in school to not only keep them healthy and re-energize them, but to help them pay attention in class (1).

Check out the tips below to help get your child’s sleep cycle ready for school!

• Turn off the TV. According to the Sleep Foundation, television and computer use before bedtime can hinder quality sleep (2).

• Set a bedtime. If you child has been staying up too late, set a new bedtime. It may be hard for your body to adjust right away, so start with small changes, such as 15 minutes earlier each day.

• Stop sleeping in on weekends. For most of us, it’s easy to sleep in on the weekend, but it can throw off your normal sleep schedule.

• Get the right amount of hours. School-age children between 7-12 years old are recommended to get 10-11 hours of sleep per day. Children and teens 12-18 years old should get between 8-9 hours. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep (3).

• Be a good role model. Set an example of good sleep habits for your child. If they see that good sleep habits are important to you, it might be easier to get them into a good sleep schedule!

The kids are finally back in school!  Have you noticed that your child/children seem to be more anxious or isolated or irritable since it is back to school time?  If so, take a few minutes to ask them why they feel this way.  Sometimes it is hard for kids to tell their parents how they are feeling, but their behaviors and demeanors can definitely tell you a lot.

Kids could be scared to return to a place where they feel they are being bullied, whether on the bus, in school, at lunch, in the classroom.  So take a few minutes to ask you kids if they are being bullied in school.  This is a huge problem in our society today that gets ignored by so many.   Ask your kids questions related to being bullied/harassed/picked on in school, and don’t limit it to just peers.  It is important to make sure they don’t feel their teachers or other adults are bullying them as well.  Bullying has tremendous effects on kids, their behaviors and emotions.  They could have difficulty paying attention and focusing, decreased self esteem, increased anxiety/fear, lack of motivation, irritability, refusing to do schoolwork, being defiant at school, not doing school work, the list goes on.  If you notice your child begins to exhibit some of the above behaviors, take a few minutes to ask them what is going on.

Do you notice that now your child has started school, he or she has started texting you more frequently and making some excuse or another for you to go pick them up?  Have you noticed they have started giving you more of a fight in the morning prior to going to school?  Do they tell you it is hard for them to breath around all those other kids?  If so, your child may be experiencing some social anxiety related to the crowded hallways and number of people in a small area.  Don’t tell your kids they are making excuses, rather listen to what they have to say.

If your kids are experiencing some of the above mentioned behaviors or others, don’t hesitate to contact your nearest HealthNet center to schedule an appointment with one of our behavioral health therapists.

Yes, it is already that time of year when kids are returning back to school!  Can you believe it, summer is already over?!  Some us of look forward to this time of year, where others are wondering how am I going to manage everything?  

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Your children are looking forward to starting the next school year with all their extra curricular activities, whereas you are worried about meeting scheduling needs.  First of all, take a deep breath, as I’m sure that can be a very overwhelming feeling.  Sometimes we tend to add extra stress onto ourselves and we don’t even know it.  We do this by thinking of all the things that need to be accomplished, which weighs us down and becomes so overwhelming, that it takes a lot more energy and effort.  So instead, try to break the tasks up into smaller time frames – instead of thinking about the whole school year, break it down into months, but even better, into weeks, or days.

If we break tasks up into smaller tasks or smaller time frames, they don’t seem to be that overwhelming.  Remember, you don’t have to be supermom or superdad, ask for help!  Don’t feel like you have to participate in the PTO or volunteer for things at your child/children’s school just because you did last year.

It is important to spend time with your kids and that they know you are supportive of their extra-curricular activities; however it is also important to take care of yourself.

I’m a big believer in taking care of yourself, as that is the only way you can take care of the others around you.  If you are barely able to think or sleep, it is going to take more energy and effort for you to take care of the loved ones around you. So, make sure you take a few minutes to take time out for yourself, even if that means you take a few minutes to read a magazine, get your nails done or catch up on your favorite sports teams scores, etc.

If you have more than one child, and they are actively involved in school activities, make a schedule or calendar for yourself. Sometimes writing things down helps to keep things in perspective, instead of leaving it to memory. For those that are single parents, be realistic about your schedule and don’t expect yourself to be in two places at once.  For those that have both parents involved, break up the activities amongst yourselves and then switch the next time.

Yes, it’s that time of year again; the kids are going back to school – which means shopping for clothes, shoes, school supplies- the whole works!!  You’re excited and others are excited, however you notice that your child doesn’t seem excited; rather their behavior seems to have taken a change for the worse.  If so, there are probably some valid reasons for the changes. I think sometimes we as parents tend to misconstrue the behaviors and don’t see that the child is asking for help. There may be something about school or going to school that they don’t like or that makes them scared to go.

With all the technological advances in our world today, I think we tend to miss some of the obvious changes that take place in our children’s’ behaviors or lives, as we are more focused on playing that game on our new iPhone, tweeting someone back, or too focused on our Kindle or iPad.

If you do notice changes in your kids’ behaviors, take a few moments to really sit down and ask them what is going on.  Some of you may be thinking, ‘duh that sounds obvious’, however you can’t imagine the number of parents that are unable to or don’t do that. 

You may discover that your child or children do not want to go to school because they are scared the bullying will start over again – whether on the bus or at school.  Bullying is a huge issue that goes on today and it really does impact kids in a negative way.  They may be scared of being around all those kids again in a small space and feeling like they cannot escape or get out.  Or they may feel like they are not good enough or smart enough and may feel intimidated by their friends or other students.

Whatever the case may be, please take a few minutes to ask your children about what is going on and how they feel about going back to school.  If they are concerned about the above issues, make a plan with them so they know they can come talk to you about what is going on at school.  Let them know that you want them to be successful and you are willing to be there to help them with that.  Sometimes it is hard for kids to openly communicate with their parents/guardians for fear of their parents/guardians’ response or not wanting to disappoint them.  If that is the case, check out the nearest HealthNet Clinic near your area and make an appointment with a therapist, so your child does have someone he or she can talk to and does not feel like he or she has to battle their fears, concerns, stressors, etc alone.

For more information about our behavioral health services, please contact your HealthNet center or call 317-957-2200 x 6009.

Immunizations are an excellent way to help keep your child healthy.  Children entering kindergarten need to show proof of having received DTaP and MMRV boosters.  These vaccines help protect against whooping cough, measles, and chickenpox.  Likewise, children starting sixth grade need their meningococcal and Tdap vaccines.  The HPV vaccine can also be started at this age; this vaccine protects against cervical cancer.  It’s also a good idea to get a flu shot this fall.  Influenza can be quite serious and keep a child home from school for a week or longer.

Adequate sleep is very important to school success.  Start practicing the school schedule at least a week before school starts.  Generally, this means getting to bed and getting up earlier!  Most school children need nine hours of sleep every night.  And plan on enough time in the mornings for your child to get a good breakfast.  Children who eat breakfast get better grades.

Backpacks can get heavy with school books and cause back pain.  Make sure your child’s backpack fits over fits over both shoulders so the weight is evenly distributed over his back.  Throw in some hand sanitizer and Kleenexes to help ward off those school-time germs.

Most children ride the bus to school.  Find out where and when the bus will be coming.  If possible, greet the bus driver and meet the other children at the bus stop.

Many schools have a dress code.  Make sure your child’s clothes conform to the dress code and that they are comfortable and clean.  Contact the school’s social worker if you need assistance.

Your child’s future depends on a successful school experience.  Is your child is ready for school?  Are his immunizations up-to-date?  Does he have a good sleep schedule?  Are his clothes appropriate?  If your child complains about school or isn’t doing well, talk with his teacher(s) early in the school year.  Yes, school is for learning but it should also be fun and safe!

Well…..it is that time of the year….already! August is here and the kids are heading back to school.

It is hard to believe, because it feels like summer just started. But, as I checked my Facebook page this last week, several of my friends who are teachers are preparing to go back to work, others are posting pictures of their little ones’ first day of kindergarten, and (while I hate to admit it) some of my friends are getting ready to send their oldest off to college!

As I drove into work this morning, I began to reflect upon this time of year and what it means to me. For me, fall and the beginning of a school year, brings back wonderful memories of wearing my new “back-to-school” outfit, reuniting with old friends and the anticipation of making new ones, new teachers, new beginnings, new classes….it always felt like a “fresh start.” This time of year also takes me back to my college days and the feelings of freedom and independence – like the world was in my hands and the hopes and dreams for my future were endless.

I began thinking about HealthNet’s five school-based clinics and what our staff and providers must be thinking this time of year. How are the children we serve feeling? Are they up-to-date on their immunizations? Do they need help with taking their asthma medication? Many of the children that HealthNet’s school-based clinics serve do not have the same luxuries that I did as a child. Many come from broken homes or no home at all and many are suffering from medical and social needs.

Our staff is there to help these children begin the school year healthy….because being healthy is the foundation to learning and every child deserves to have hopes and dreams for their future.

Last year, our school-based clinics helped more than 3,000 students receive health care and health education services. As you prepare to go back to work as a teacher….or send your little one off to kindergarten….or drop your oldest off at college, please take a moment to consider making a donation to HealthNet’s school-based clinics.

A gift of $25 helps provide a change of clothing to a child who gets sick at school, and a $50 gift would provide students with a personal hygiene kit that is filled with items they may not have at home.

We are dedicated to ensuring that health becomes a bridge, not a barrier to learning. Help us build that bridge!

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What hopes and dreams are your kids looking forward to this school year? Share your comments! 

We asked Dr. Philip Woller, DDS, why these check-ups are so important. Dr. Woller serves as dental director for HealthNet’s six dental clinics, which care for over 6,500 kids and adults each year. Here’s what he told us about kids and tooth decay:

1. After the common cold, it’s the most prevalent chronic childhood disease. Tooth decay is an infectious disease and over half of school children, ages 5 through 9, have at least one cavity. And, the problem is increasing dramatically in preschool-age kids.
2. Dental-related illnesses account for 52 million lost school hours each year. Because serious tooth decay can affect overall health, it can lead to problems with eating, talking, concentrating in class, learning and can eventually lead to school absences.
3. It’s preventable. You can stop the decay caused by bacteria by making sure your children brush and floss regularly and by taking advantage of affordable dental care in your neighborhood to schedule regular checkups.

A dental exam is just as important as booster shots and should be a regular part of back-to-school preparations, echo the American Dental Association (ADA) and theAmericanAcademyof Pediatrics (AAP).

Back-to-school dental check ups should be easier to schedule during the weeks before students’ calendars fill up with after-school sports and homework. If you don’t already have a dentist, click here to find out which HealthNet dental clinic is closest to you.

Our sixth location opens this month and is just for kids. HealthNet Pediatric & Adolescent Care Center (PACC) is pleased to begin offering dental check-ups and cleanings for established PACC patients ages 0-5 each Thursday, beginning July 12. Learn more!