Back To School

Brimming with mixed emotions, children and parents alike experience bittersweet nostalgia over the end of carefree summer hours and excitement in anticipation of the coming school year. The first month or two of school can be a hectic and demanding period of transition for both students and parents, as everyone settles into a new routine. This special Back-to-School section will get you started with tools and tips to make the transition as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Healthy Start: Put Immunizations on Your Back-to-School List 

by Kristy Como Armand

As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s an exciting time for families as children prepare for a new academic year. Amid the hustle and bustle of shopping for school supplies, organizing schedules, and arranging after-school activities, it’s also crucial to prioritize your child’s health by making sure their immunizations are current.

“Childhood immunizations play a vital role in protecting children from several preventable diseases and keeping the school environment safe and healthy for everyone,” says Victoria McDaniel, DNP, FNP, with Imperial Health Urgent Care. “Now is a good time to review your child’s immunization records and make sure they are up to date with any school system required vaccinations before the school year begins.”
All vaccines are tested to ensure they are safe and effective to be received by the children of the recommended age, and McDaniel says vaccines have been scientifically proven to prevent various illnesses that were once prevalent and dangerous. Diseases like measles, whooping cough, and polio, which once posed significant threats, can now be prevented through vaccination. Immunizations reduce the risk of complications and chronic health issues arising from preventable diseases.
With children in close quarters in classrooms, playgrounds, and buses, the likelihood of diseases spreading increases significantly. “Immunizations not only protect your child but also help safeguard the broader community by reducing the overall incidence of these illnesses,” says McDaniel.

Commonly required vaccines for school-aged children include:

• DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis): Protects against three serious diseases.

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): Prevents three highly contagious viral diseases.

• Varicella (Chickenpox): Protects against the varicella-zoster virus.

• Polio Vaccine: Prevents poliovirus infections.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine: Protects against the hepatitis B virus.

McDaniel offers parents the following tips for a smooth immunization experience:

Get in early. Get vaccinations taken care of over the summer before school starts to avoid the last-minute rush.

Keep records. Maintain an up-to-date immunization record for your child. Schools often require proof of vaccinations.

Discuss concerns. If you have any questions or concerns about vaccines, talk to your child’s provider. They can share reliable information and address any apprehensions.

Prepare your child. Explain why vaccinations are important and what to expect during the visit to help ease any anxiety.
“Ensuring your child is up to date with their immunizations is a key step in preparing for the new school year,” says McDaniel. “By doing so, you’re helping to safeguard your child’s health and the well-being of the entire community.

Imperial Health Urgent Care has locations in Lake Charles and Moss Bluff, with school-required immunizations available. The offices are open early, late and on weekends. No appointment necessary.

Take Care of Their Teeth

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Life gets busy once school resumes, so the slower days of summer are a great time to make an appointment for your child’s next dental visit. Ideally, according to Erin Moore Seale, DDS with Seale Family Dentistry in Lake Charles, a child’s dental care should begin a year prior to preschool. “Children should visit a dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by age one, whichever comes first.”
Early dental visits are generally non-invasive and largely conversational. A first dental visit usually involves a cleaning, fluoride treatment, and a general evaluation to check for things like cavities and eruption patterns. The dentist offers parents oral hygiene tips and answers any questions they may have. “Prevention and early intervention are the goals,” says Dr. Seale.

Dental cavities are the most common disease affecting children. Early detection of cavities or a high risk for developing cavities allows for more conservative treatment modalities such as topical application of fluoride to arrest further decay. Preventive and conservative treatments are available when problems are detected early. These treatments are economical, very effective, and lead to fewer and non-invasive dental visits.
Dr. Seale recommends parents brush their young children’s teeth with a soft bristle brush using a rice size smear of toothpaste for children aged 0-3 and a pea size smear for ages 3 and up. When two teeth touch, it’s time to start flossing.

Even though children lose those baby teeth, dental care is important in the years leading up to permanent teeth. “In the majority of cases, maintaining baby teeth until they are replaced by permanent teeth is essential for proper growth and development of the lower third of the face,” adds Dr. Seale. “Baby teeth allow for proper development of the muscles involved in swallowing, speaking, and in obtaining proper nutrition. Additionally, keeping baby teeth for an appropriate amount of time is the best way to maintain space for permanent teeth, allowing them to erupt in a more ideal position. We see a much lower incidence of cavities in adults whose teeth are in proper alignment.”

For more information, Dr. Seale refers parents to the website mouthhealthy.org, sponsored by the American Dental Association and provides research-based information to the public.

To make an appointment with Seale Family Dentistry, call 337-474-0212. Located at 1430 W. McNeese St., Lake Charles.

Simplify your Morning Routine

Getting everyone out the door on time each day can be frustrating. If you’re tired of manic mornings, try these simple tips to help make your A.M. routine less stressful.

Lose the Snooze – It’s tempting to hit the snooze button when the alarm goes off in the morning. You crave those extra few minutes, but scientists claim it does more harm than good. You may think hitting snooze will offer a few more ZZZs and you’ll feel more rested, but that’s not what happens. After you drift back off, your brain starts its sleep cycle all over again. When the alarm goes off a second time, you’re likely at an even deeper stage of your sleep cycle, which results in you feeling even worse than you did the first time. Try setting your alarm a few minutes later (or getting up a little earlier) and sticking to a regular sleep schedule.

Shower Time – Consider taking your shower in the evening before heading to bed. Some doctors claim the heat relaxes you into a deeper and more comfortable sleep. If you suffer from night sweats, or just need the shower to wake up in the morning, speed up the process with a timer.

Nightly Routine – To save time in the morning, lay out your clothes, jewelry, and accessories the night before. This goes for both you and the kids.

Everything in its Place – Get organized and create a permanent place for everything you’ll need each day including keys, umbrellas, jackets, purses, wallets, etc. and ensure these items are in their place the night before.

Caffeination – If you need a caffeine fix first thing, use a coffee maker with a built-in timer. Prep the machine the night before and wake up to the smell of your favorite fresh-brewed blend.

Quick Breakfasts – Instead of cooking on busy mornings, opt for simpler breakfast items such as healthy cold cereals, granola bars, fruit, yogurt, and toast. Many of these choices can be eaten in the car if you’re really running late. Save the pancakes for the weekend!

Even if you are a morning person, a calmer routine will have you out the door in a flash with minimal fuss. Everyone can benefit from planning ahead and preparing for the day.

Juggling After-School Activities

Parents want their children to be well-rounded little people who are involved in after-school sports and activities. Parents would also like to maintain their sanity. Is it possible to have both? This becomes especially challenging when there are multiple children in a family.

Consider these sanity-saving tips:

Create a family calendar. Hold weekly family meetings and have each member share where they need to be that week and write it on the family calendar. Keep the calendar in a central location where everyone can see it. If you have children who have access to electronic devices, use Google Calendar or a calendar that you can all share and see at any given time.

Accept help from others. There will be times when you simply cannot be in two places at once. Other parents feel your pain. Make arrangements with other trusted parents who have children in the same activity as yours and carpool. Maybe they can drop the kids off and you can pick them up. If you have a partner who can share some of the burden of dropping off or picking up, speak up and let them know you need their help. Local family members may also lend a hand when things get tough.

Pre-Plan Meals. One of the hardest parts of after-school activities is coming home and cooking a healthy dinner. It can be tempting to run through the drive-thru after a late practice or game, but this doesn’t do your health or budget any favors. Freeze crock-pot meals ahead of time and prepare them in the mornings, or plan simple things that can be cooked quickly when you get home from activities.

Reassess your child’s interest and have an honest conversation. Are your children truly enjoying every activity they’re involved in? Talk to them about their changing interests and plan accordingly. Be honest with your child if you’re struggling to get them to three different sports and a club all in the same season. They may need to make choices about what they are most interested in, which can open a great discussion about priorities.

Surviving School Fundraisers

Back-to-school busyness is often accompanied by the ubiquitous school fundraisers. From cookie dough and candy to wrapping paper, many parents feel the pressure of obligation, especially if a child is in a club or sport. Before your children become semi-professional door-to-door salespersons, consider these steps to feel empowered through the process, and relieve some of the stress of school fundraising.

Understand each fundraiser’s benefits and decide which one is right for you. There will likely be multiple fundraisers for your child’s school throughout the year, so ask up-front what they will be, and what each fundraiser benefits. Some parents are willing to support every fundraiser, while other parents struggle to make ends meet. If you are somewhere in between, consider the fundraisers carefully. If your child participates in band or cheerleading, you may have required sport or club-specific fundraisers that you want to spend your time and energy on. If not, you may ask which fundraiser specifically benefits purchasing technology or learning materials for students, and make your decision on which one to support accordingly.

Tax breaks and transparency. Public school fundraisers can often be tax-deductible. Many PTA/PTO organizations are set up as non-profit organizations, so request receipts from the school for tax credit. Also, sometimes a school uses a third-party vendor for items to sell and gets a percentage of the sales back. If the school gets 20% back from the sales your child makes, and your child is required to sell $100 worth of items, perhaps you can ask the school if you can simply write them a $20 check.

Other ways to contribute. Many parents simply cannot spend the money and don’t feel comfortable asking others to purchase items for a school fundraiser. There are other ways to support your child’s school. Consider donating your time, talents, and treasures. Volunteer at events when possible. Bake cookies for a bake sale. Donate supplies to your child’s classroom. If you’re handy with tools, volunteer to make some repairs if needed. Schools appreciate assistance in a variety of ways!