Nigel Lane » Uncategorized

Back to School – 2

nigel — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:17:00 +0000

Well, how is it going? Have they begun to settle in? Of course if they come home and say everything is great then they are either young (don’t you just love the child’s acceptance and ability to look on the bright side) or they could not be telling you everything.

I suggest that this weekend you spring a surprise on them – give them a treat they weren’t expecting to celebrate the end of the first week (or part week) on the new school year. Get a Friday Night pizza delivered or go out for a weekend breakfast. Splurge.

Use the time to have a D+M (deep and meaningful chat) about school, the year ahead and how it’s all going to work out. Come at it from the frame of mind that you want to know how you can serve them to have the best year they could ever wish for. Talk through extra-curricular Read More

Back to School – part 1

nigel — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:05:00 +0000

Well it’s that time of year again – end of the summer holidays and the start of a new school year – for some of you the start of a new school! This can be quite a stressful time for both the student and the parent (and give a thought too for the teachers!) This is quite normal and could include some social stress – meeting up with an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend for the first time in a while, or worrying about whether the friendship circles may have changed – maybe even concerned to see if the bully is back and continuing their ways. Maybe they are hoping for a change of teacher in a certain subject – or exactly the opposite.

Older students may have been given some homework to do during the holidays and the stress compounds as they suddenly realise they have only hours left to complete days of work. Read More

5 benefits to your child when they engage in competitive sport

nigel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:45:00 +0000

There is some discussion that children are joining competitive sports teams too early and that there can be too much pressure to win. However, most agree that children generally would benefit from increased exercise. Far too many children come home after sitting in school all day and either get on the computer or sit in front of the television. By contrast, children on sports teams come home from school and go to practice. The practice sessions provide excellent exercise and could build good health habits that your child will use for the rest of their life.

In addition to the health benefits, participating in a team sport helps your child to learn to be part of a team. Good coaches will emphasize the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship over winning and losing. When this is the case your child will be Read More