It's the beginning of June and only a few weeks until students will be facing a summer of leisure. For some, it will be the end of their formal academic life. Others will be preparing for exams and still others are at the beginning or middle of their rise in the system.
No matter what grade level they are at, the choices and behaviours of June will have consequences or rewards that can affect the rest of your child's life. The differences between passing and failing, average and excellence are not as large as people think.
As a parent, there are some things that you can help your child do so they end the school year well:
1. SLEEP - Tired minds and bodies under-perform. My dad used to say that an hour before midnight was worth two hours after midnight. Warmer weather should not be a reason to extend bed times when there are classes to attend in the morning. Many teenagers have difficulties getting up in the morning because they have spent long hours the night before on social media and internet sites. Help your child to wind down and get into bed at a reasonable hour and everyone will be a lot happier and more productive.
2. HEALTHY DIET - A good breakfast does not consist of Jalapeno chips and a Sprite. And skipping breakfast is never a good option. The brain is just like a gas tank. When there is good fuel, the body and the vehicle can function well. Very few children will refuse to eat healthy food that is prepared for them especially if it is shared with someone who they know cares about them.
3. POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT - Research has indicated that conflict is very detrimental for children. Yelling, arguing and friction in the family can be very negative and lead to depression in children. Silence with underlying tension can be just as bad. Children need peace and encouragement so that they can focus on the things that they need to do and be able to do them well.
4. ATTENDANCE - Much of the learning in schools is verbal. When a child is on time and pays attention during class, s/he can earn good marks. Absenteeism is a threat to success and children should therefore never miss school unless they are seriously ill.
5. KNOWING WHAT IS EXPECTED - The reason that children are in a school setting is so that they can learn things that they don't already know. If they don't understand directions, think a deadline is not important or believe that their performance doesn't matter, they will likely face disappointment and embarrassment when reality sets in. When children are ignorant about what needs to be done or confused you can contact the teacher or see if the needed information is on the school website.
6. STUDY - It only takes a few minutes to review a spelling list or memorize important dates in history. In fact, it is amazing how much a person can learn in only a few days. But year-end study is not about learning new material. It is just reinforcing the learning that has been going on all year. Even a few minutes of focussed study a day can increase a grade by several marks. If you, as a parent, do not feel that you are strong in a subject, find someone who can help your child. Perhaps you have a friend who excels in math, a sister who can review science notes or a grandma who would explain a health or social studies unit.
As a parent you are not completely responsible for the grades that your child earns but I'm sure that you would like your child to do well. Follow the tips in this article and I'm sure that you, your child and the school will be very pleased with the results!

It can be so hard to understand why people tell lies - especially when it seems obvious that they are lying and will be "caught". I remember once when parents came to see me because they were concerned about their daughter. They said "She lies all the time". My reply was "That's what liars do!" You see, it can be effective and done so often that it becomes a regular part of life for some.
Over the years I have learned that individuals are motivated to lie for a number of reasons:
1. To avoid trouble or consequences - Children don't usually lie to get into trouble but will often lie to get out of trouble. Sometimes people believe that telling a lie will save them from stress, harm or having to pay a penalty. They figure that lying will have less risk of harm for them or might actually get them out of trouble.
2. Family or friends lie- - We tend to become like those we are around the most. When lying is an acceptable behaviour it is easier for everyone in the group to participate. As a parent, you might think it is acceptable to say things that aren't accurate but you must always remember that others are watching and following your example.
3. For obvious gain - Those who defraud others make promises that they know they will not keep but make them because they know that they will personally benefit by doing so. It's not just the scammers, however, who say things to get what they want. Unfortunately, those who lie can actually be found in all cultures, socio-economic levels and age groups.
4. As a joke - Some people make up stories or say things hoping that others will be amused by them. The result, however, is usually that someone gets hurt and credibility is lost. Remember the boy who cried "Wolf" and how others lost trust in what he said?
5. Denial - When you don't even know that you are lying to yourself, you are in denial. This is a common practice for those who are involved in addictive behaviours. Its cousins are minimization and blame.
6. When information is incorrect or missing - There are times when people do not have all of the facts and make statements that are not true because of this.
7. To impress or pleased - Some say what they think that you want to hear so that you will be happy. They are usually individuals who don't like conflict and lack assertiveness skills. The sad part is that they may become resentful when the other person's needs are met but theirs are neglected.
8. For loyalty sake - There are times when things are said to protect others who may come to harm or accountability otherwise. Victims frequently recant their testimonies or group members go silent in order to avoid pointing towards someone who did wrong.
9. Memory - So many times people who have experienced the same situations come out of them with different perceptions of what actually occurred.
The word "liar" has a rather negative stigma and so people often use other terms which they feel are more innocent. Fib, white lie, whopped, untruth or misspoke are often used instead. But it doesn't matter what you call it, the fact is that you didn't tell the truth. And that usually means that someone will suffer and when you are "discovered" as a liar, you will lose respect.
My uncle, who was a judge, used to say that when you tell one lie, you have to tell another to cover it up. And then another and another until you finally get to the point where you can't remember what the first one was and then you go to jail. Well, not everyone will end up in jail but if you keep telling lies they will begin to the form the bars of your own cell and soon you will feel trapped!
The easiest is to always tell the truth and enjoy the freedom that goes with that!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com
From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker