Janice Milliman, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:

By the end of summer vacation kids are excited to get back in school and we parents breathe a sigh of relief, thankful that we "survived" a summer with the kids at home all day. On the first day of school kids arrive, eyes wide, backpacks full of school supplies…and parents hold on to the hope that this school year will be a success. I say "hope" because there isn't any way of guaranteeing a successful year. Kids' success in school is partially dependent on the teacher's instruction, but much responsibility falls on parents as well. As a mom, I have a huge responsibility to help my kids do well every day. How?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Make them go to school. Because kids share germs it's not always easy to keep them healthy. Use your best judgment and follow your school's policy on when to keep them home, but also encourage kids to go, even if they're not feeling 100%. In my experience, kids often tend to feel much better once they're at school with their friends - sometimes it's just hard to get out of bed.
2. Don’t smoke. If kids live with a smoker they're much more likely to miss school due to illness. A recent article highlights this fact and recommends parents smoke outside and not around their children, or better yet, quit. For help quitting call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or 1-800-784-8669.
3. Encourage fruits & vegetables. A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables gives young bodies the best chance of fighting off germs. Kids are more likely to eat fruits and veggies if they're readily available, so stock the fridge and put a bowl of fruit on the table. Juice is a tasty option for one of the daily servings, as long as it's 100% juice. The school lunchroom should fruits and veggies too, so look through the lunch menu together to identify when their favorite fruits and veggies will be served.
4. Get involved at school. You don't have to be the PTA president to be involved at your child's school. Volunteering as little as one hour per week shows support for the teacher and sends a message to the school that you care about your child's experience there. If volunteering on-site isn't possible, teacher's sometimes need help with things parents can do at home. In lieu of volunteering, communicating with the teacher periodically via email keeps you connected to what's going on and how your child is performing. According to a recent article, kids whose parents are involved in their education generally perform better in school. In fact, parent involvement is twice as likely a predictor of success as socioeconomic status.
5. Set a good example. If we as parents set a good example by quitting smoking, eating healthy, getting adequate sleep etc., our kids are more likely to follow suit. I'll admit that I'm well under the recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake. If I want my picky 8 year old to eat more of them it needs to start with me. "Do as I say, not as I do" just doesn't work.

There are numerous ways we can help our kids succeed in school and in life. How do you ensure your child's success?