10-Step Guide for Veteran Parents

Transitioning into the second half of this year can be a prime time to reinforce certain habits that will make life easier for veterans and their children. These tips are straightforward and practical, focusing on fostering commitment, resilience, and positivity in your family.

Prioritise Consistent, High-Quality Sleep

Sleep is essential for your child's academic performance. It boosts cognitive functions like concentration, memory retention, and problem-solving. Dr Michael Gradisar, a Clinical Psychology Professor at Flinders University, highlights that quality sleep is essential for stress management and emotional stability. As parents, ensuring your child has a consistent sleep schedule benefits the whole family.

Limit Screen Time

The digital world is enticing, but excessive screen time can be harmful, particularly on social media. Encouraging your child to use phone functions to set screen time limits helps them adhere to these boundaries. This practice promotes better focus and less distraction, benefiting their school work and social interactions.

Use a Diary to Manage Schedules

Organisation is vital to managing a busy school and life schedule. Teach your child to use a diary to keep track of their commitments from day one. As my dad used to say, "Every CEO has a diary. The good ones use it!" This habit will help your child stay organised and prepared.

Plan Your Day

Beyond the timetable, taking charge of daily planning is crucial. Helping your child prioritise essential tasks ensures they schedule downtime, exercise, and family time. Remember, not every moment needs to be about learning.

Pack Your Bags

Encouraging your child to prepare for the next day by packing their school bag the night before will reduce morning stress and ensure they remember essential items.

Help Out at Home

Involvement in household chores is more than just being helpful; it's about spending quality time with family. Teach your child the value of contributing to home duties, as it fosters a supportive and loving environment.

Talk to People

Encourage your child to engage in face-to-face conversations. Whether with family, peers, or teachers, these interactions can provide valuable feedback and new ideas, enhancing their learning and personal growth.

Exercise Regularly

Supporting your child in finding physical activities they enjoy, whether a sport, walking, or cycling, is immensely beneficial for physical health, mental clarity, and learning.

Reflect on Goals

Help your child revisit the goals set at the beginning of the year. Whether they've stayed the same or evolved, it's important to keep pursuing them actively. As Denzel Washington says, "Dreams without goals are just dreams and ultimately fuel disappointments." This practice will keep your child focused and goal-oriented.

Have Fun!

Encouraging your child to engage in activities that bring them joy, whether through clubs, sports, or arts, is a powerful motivator and can lead to impressive results in areas they are passionate about. So, remember to have fun along the way!

Adopting a few strategies can help you and your child navigate the school year more effectively. Remember, perfection isn't the goal—what matters most is continuous effort and improvement. Keep going, and you'll see positive changes in your child's life.