What Every Dad Must Do During Back-to-School Time

Back-to-school time is stressful for kids. For dads, too. Here, parenting expert Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer offers her top nine strategies for easing the bambinos back into school without all the muss and fuss.

1. Show interest in your child's day-but don't interrogate. You might want to ask, "What did you do in school today?" but odds are you won't get the response you're looking for. Some kids forget. Others are too tired to recall the details. And some kids see school as their private space and want dads to butt out. So you're your child about your day--mentioning both good and bad things--and see if he/she wants to share. Whatever you do, don't keep kids up past their bedtime trying to pry information out of them. You might say something like, "I'll ask mom what you said about the day, and we can talk in the morning."

2. Stay close to home. When children are unsettled by new things, they need their family routines more than ever. Keep things as familiar as possible during this time. If you can avoid coming home late or leaving town, do so. If you're separated or divorced, stick to your usual visits, and call up or text to show you're thinking of them. Being generous with your time and attention will help your child feel loved and safe until the new becomes familiar.

3. Don't be late. If you're collecting your child from the school or the bus stop, be there on time. Showing up late can frighten kids--or make the feel forgotten. They also hate to stand out from the group, so being left behind will mortify them. As soon as your child comes out of the school or gets off the bus, scoop him/her up and start the conversation. Don't be sidetracked by any moms or other dads there.

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