Make tweens happy about going back to school

Most weens aren't exactly thrilled at the prospect of going back to school. They've really enjoyed their summer vacation. Chances are, your kids would rather be on permanent vacation. Wouldn't you? Nevertheless, there are back-to-school activities they can get excited about. Going back to school brings about some positive changes. Concentrating on these activities and traditions might make tweens a little more enthusiastic about school days.

Making new friends is one bonus of going back to school.

Give tweens a jump start on making new friends. How? Pay attention to the new faces in your neighborhood. Introduce yourselves to new neighbors with kids over the summer. Invite them to barbecues or other neighborhood gatherings. Now, when your kids start school, they'll already be friends with the new kids on the block.

Budget for extracurricular activities.

Whether it's band, sports, clubs or attending plays and dances, tweens need more than basic education to round out their personalities and give them something to look forward to. Give your tweens a school experience to remember by saving money in the budget for extracurricular fun.

Shopping for new school clothes is always exciting for tweens.

How do you keep them enthusiastic about school through new clothes? By not letting them wear them until school starts. If that sounds mean, stop to think about it. Anticipation builds enthusiasm. The more things you give kids to be enthused about on the first day of school, the more they'll look forward to it.

Older tweens going back to school might need house keys.

What could possibly be more exciting? They've earned your trust to be home alone after school. House keys are a gift of independence. Giving kids the keys to the kingdom makes them feel as if they could conquer anything; even the first day back to school.

Getting a total back to school makeover can boost self esteem.

Your tween's appearance is important to them, whether they say so or not. Getting a new haircut, new glasses, contacts or updating their image can make a real difference in the way they view going back to school. Who wouldn't want to start school sporting the latest looks?

Older tweens might look forward to having their own cell phone.

You'll need to know where they are, now that you're not accompanying them everywhere. They'll be walking back and forth to school alone or with friends. You'll want them to be safe. Having a cell phone of their own enables you to keep in touch with them. It also gives them one more good reason to look forward to starting school in the fall.

Don't forget to give home school kids the same consideration.

The fact that they're not attending conventional school doesn't mean they don't want or deserve to look and feel their best, enjoy a variety of activities and be given more adult responsibilities!