School is in full swing. This breeds symptoms for a Case of The School House grumps! Anyone can add these tips to their family philosophy to treat bad attitudes.

Here are 7 practical tips to fight against bad attitudes during the school year.

1. Check for illness

Recently, my daughter refused to do her best in school. I gave her a consequence for her poor behavior. She ended up with a fever at the end of the day. I felt like a terrible mother. Of course, she was entitled to special treatment to nurse her back to health.

2. Does your child get enough rest?

Studies have shown children ages 3-6 require 10-12 hours per day. Older children ages 7-12 need 10-11 hours per day. That’s a lot of sleep! Add the required energy school takes and the rushing to and from activities. We have a recipe for Grumpy Kids!

The antidote: establish regular bedtime routines and minimize schedules. Our kids do NOT need to be in every activity nor do we need to attend every event…this will save your sanity as well!

3. Snack time!

When the grumps begin to set in, offer nutritious snacks: Raisin boxes, fruit slices, veggie sticks with yogurt or peanut butter as a dip. Stove Top Popcorn is one of our favorite snacks. It’s much cheaper and healthier than microwave and just as easy!

Stove Top Popcorn: A small amount of olive oil in the bottom of a wok (or any pan), kernels to cover the bottom, set on a medium/high heat and three minutes later, you’ll have fresh popcorn!

4. Take lots of breaks!

Those little minds can only take in so much at a time. As their brains heat up and begin to smoke, take a few minutes to cool down before trying again. Schedule days off to play or time to go to the park and explore. If doing so cramps your schedule, see tip #2 and minimize your family schedule.

As the weather cools allow them to play educational online games or play school apps on the tablet/iPad.

5. Good ol’ self discipline

If it takes a willing adult 21 days to establish a routine, then it will take a child much longer. Set realistic goals with consequences and rewards – then stick with it.

Self-control is a fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. As moms we have the privilege (at least we usually call it a privilege!) to teach our children the wisdom of self-discipline.

6. Call a friend

We need encouragement. We can’t do this alone. Teaching our children is a sacrifice. It’s not easy – it takes diligence and daily grace from God! We have all had a bad day, days we have failed. Keep at it; those days are few a far between once our routine is established.

7. Don’t skip the daily devotional

It’s easy to jump into the day without our daily devotional, but it’s essential to our day! Welcoming God into our day will minimize the insanity and bring peace into our day. It gives us a chance to seek wisdom and teaches our children to do the same.

Relax, mama, you can do this! Here are some verses to encourage you. Post them around your home.

I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Written by: Michelle Pohl

{Photo by yours truly}

Leave a Comment