March, 2008

Preteens Need Enough Sleep to Focus in School
Help Your Middle Schooler Banish Bullying and Stop Being a Victim
Help Your Middle Schooler Bounce Back From Setback
A Word From the Director

Preteens Need Enough Sleep to Focus in School

A key part of your preteen’s education exists far outside the classroom. It’s sleep, and it’s critical to his success in school. Why? Because research shows that a lack of sleep can make it tough for kids to focus on learning.

Although everyone is different, kids between 11 and 13 years old need roughly 9.5 to 10 hours of sleep per night. To figure out whether your preteen is getting enough shuteye, ask yourself:
    ? Does he fall asleep within 30 minutes of going to bed?
     ? Can he wake up fairly easily in the morning?
     ? Is he alert all day, with no reports from school about him dragging in class?

If you answered yes to all these questions, chances are your preteen is getting the right amount of sleep. But if you answered no, it’s time to take action. To help your preteen get enough sleep:

þ Enforce a regular bedtime.
þ Limit his caffeine intake. Watch for this stimulant in things like cocoa, soda, iced tea and chocolate.
þ Ban before-bed TV watching, and don’t put a set in his room. Studies link watching TV to sleep problems.

Take these crucial sleep-saving steps tonight, and your preteen may arrive at school bright-eyed and ready to learn tomorrow!

Help Your Middle Schooler Banish Bullying
and Stop Being a Victim

Is your preteen being picked on at school? There are steps kids can take to get their power back. Help your child:

1) Figure out when the bullying usually happens. Teach your preteen to notice where the problem tends to start, and to avoid that situation.

2) Respond appropriately. Help your preteen determine which reactions - such as crying or yelling - fuel more bullying. Would humor lighten up the situation? Would it work to just walk away?

3) Help to widen your child’s horizons. Isolation can lead to being bullied, so enlarge your preteen’s social circle (such as through a club or team). Work together on developing social skills.

4) Seek help from the school. Your preteen should talk with a caring adult at school, such as a guidance counselor. Most schools have a no tolerance policy on bullying. Make sure you and your child know the details of your school’s policy.

Help Your Middle Schooler Bounce Back From Setback

Setbacks happen, but don’t let them derail your middle schooler! The next time life - or a bad grade, a painful defeat in a ballgame, etc. - throws her for a loop, help her bounce back. You can:
     Give her time and space to get over her disappointment.
     Point out that setbacks are normal, and that everyone experiences them.
     Praise her when she copes well with her disappointment.
     Remind her that tomorrow can be a fresh start.

It is important not to dismiss your middle schooler’s frustration over a setback. After all, her feelings matter. But encourage her to grow from the experience. Have her think about what she’s learned from it and what she might do differently next time. And don’t let her wallow - it’ll only prolong everyone’s misery!

Greetings from PCN

The signs of spring are beginning to reveal themselves; the days are getting longer and our children are starting to talk about spring break. Spring is a time to start fresh and look to the future. The articles I selected for the newsletter focus on skills that help our children develop a successful future, focusing on respect, responsibility and decision-making. As parents, we may “preach” respect and responsibility yet the true key is in teaching it! This can be a tough lesson not only for the child but also the parent. Allowing our children to learn from their mistakes and take responsibility for their actions is often more difficult than rushing in and rescuing them. I found a quote from Bill Marriott, Sr. that seems to sum up my thoughts: “People grow making decisions and assuming responsibility for them.” Being a parent means asking the tough questions of our children and expecting an answer. This is a life lesson for parents and children in the journey to becoming an adult. Take time to enjoy your family and the warm spring days ahead. As always call the PCN office if any have questions or are in need of a resource.
Darcy Jensen and the PCN Board

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