Every year with all the hustle and bustle of back to school I find it entertaining to watch parents and their first graders gathering school supplies as I listen to the chatter of their little minds racing with anticipation. I am often amazed at the conversations these little people come up with as to why they need this color of note book or these pencils, markers or colors. These precious moments are relished by some parents and lost by others as they miss out on these never to be seen or heard again conversations. I noticed a father down on his knee questioning his little girl about her thoughts as he relished her reply. In contrast I noticed a mother who was chattering on her cell phone. She was oblivious to the concerns and fears of her little boy as he struggled to make hurried life or death decisions, about pencils, markers and notebooks.
My first day of school in first grade was a rainy one and I was scared out of my mind. I remember as my dad pulled into West End Elementary there were buses and children in single file, cars in front and cars behind and my heart beating faster than the windshield wipers. The fear of what to do but knowing that I was not going to get out of the safety of that car. In the blink of an eye as my dad said “well here you are son”, I said “daddy if you will get out and open my door I will go in.” My dad without thinking jumped out into the rain and as soon as the door slammed shut I locked my door then his. I still vividly remember the site of my dad standing in the torrential rain with my first grade teacher, cars backing up into the street and the car filling up with crocodile tears as I cried inside.
Back to school is always a stressful time for both the parent and the student especially during these hard economic times. Backpacks, school supplies, shoes and clothes are a never ending budget crisis as function collides with style and the latest trends. It is easy during all these budget negotiations with your child to lose sight of the important issue of personal safety.
Like most students I carry a backpack and a computer everywhere I go. This seemingly simple task of packing and carrying a backpack isn’t so simple and it can cause fatigue and strains on young and old alike. Carrying too much weight on our backs and shoulders can cause strains to muscles and can even cause spinal injuries. As a good rule of thumb kids should not carry more than 10 to 15 percent of total body weight over the shoulder and back. So if your child weighs 100 pounds the backpack should not weigh more than 15 pounds and that’s not a lot when you consider books, paper and other school supplies. Here are few tips to help lighten your child’s back to school load:
• Help your child sort through the things they will need that day leaving things at home that will not be used that day
• Place heaviest items in the backpack first; the closer heavier items are to the body the less strain on the muscles and spine.
• Select an appropriate size backpack with padded straps for comfort.
• The in thing may be to carry the backpack over one shoulder. Encourage your child to carry the backpack over both shoulders for better weight distribution.
• Encourage proper body mechanics and bend with their knees first when lifting their packs.
Remember, this is a special time in your family’s life and the memories you build here will last for generations to come. From personal experience, I strongly recommend not leaving your engine running and a scared child within reach of the door locks.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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