By Nathalie Kunin
It’s September, which means that it’s time for you and your children to shake off the lazy days of summer and return to that trusted routine of the school year.
Decluttering the Desk
For the last three months, your child’s workspace has been the docking station for everything other than work, so it’s important to take some time before classes resume to “redefine the desk.” Organize all school materials (pencils, erasers, a dictionary, accordion files, etc.) into a clutter-free work area with plenty of elbowroom.
As you help tidy up, remind your child that music and snacks do not belong in the workspace. Explain why these rules are enforced – snacks are distracting, and music is counterproductive. Promote workspace independence. After all, this is their domain. Suggest hanging a bulletin board and a calendar beside the desk for posting exam reminders, keeping track of extracurricular activities and organizing long term assignments.
Summertime is no reason for kids to take a vacation from maintaining healthy teeth. It is important for them to continue their routine of brushing and flossing regularly. Parents should also continue to reinforce daily dental discipline in addition to seeing their dentist and orthodontist during the summer. 
Do you find yourself fighting with your husband about who changed the last poopy diaper? Are you
Do you get a pit in your stomach when anyone mentions the oil spill in the Gulf? That’s eco-anxiety and it isn’t good for you or the planet. 
How many times have parents heard the “4 W’s” coming from their preschoolers? The 4 W’s: the Wail, the Whine, the Wall and the Wanna– all hallmarks of a child’s internal needs and reactions when those needs are denied.
While physical fitness for children is imperative, a good balance of mental and physical exertion is of the utmost importance.
“It was pretty easy to get pregnant with our first child, so we figured the next one should be easy too.” 
Talking about infant head shape is something that frequently comes up at the pediatrician’s office. Your pediatrician may ask you to start “tummy time” very early in your infant’s life, and there is reason behind it. Plagiocephaly, which is a term for abnormal head shape with flattening of the skull, is something that has increased in incidence dramatically since babies have been sleeping on their backs.
Most people would agree that healthy eating can be difficult at times, but they would also acknowledge that proper nutrition is the cornerstone of their overall health. Children who learn proper eating habits will be far less likely to suffer from health problems later in life, and yet, it is never too late to improve your eating habits.
Are you tired of your children fighting? Have you become the referee instead of the parent? Are you asking yourself, how do I get my children to stop fighting and putting each other down all the time?