Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. School should be back in session all over Tennessee now, and that means one of two things: either parents are happy and children are sad, or children are happy and parents are sad. Whichever is the case at your house, I hope this school year will be a good one for you.
Quote of the Week: “What lies behind you, and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies within you.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Movie of the Week: In 1985, one of the coolest friend movies was released. The Goonies has in it a little bit of everything, including car chases and narrow escapes from criminals, as well as following a treasure map and finding an actual pirate ship. But most especially, it shows a core group of friends, each with different backgrounds, going on an adventure. Although this kind of adventure would most likely not happen in real life, it is a heartfelt movie about believing in yourself and taking chances for what you believe in.
Joke of the Week: Why do calculators make great friends? You can count on them.
Organizational Tip of the Week: Now that another school year has started, it is of vital importance to be prepared for your day. There are a few ways to do this.
If you are like me, you want to know what you are wearing to school the night before. I set out my clothes (or at least hang them on the closet doorknob) so I can get to them quickly. I even go so far as to keep a record of what I wear each week, so I don’t wear the same clothes all the time. There is nothing wrong with wearing your favorite shirt more often; this just keeps me on track.
You can also approach lunch in the same way that you plan your clothes. Mixing up your lunch menu can keep you from getting bored with the same foods. Make it ahead of time and place it in “your corner” of the fridge, so you can just grab it and go in the morning. You don’t want to spend precious minutes at the start of a busy day by standing in front of the refrigerator, trying to decide what to eat. If you can believe it, I actually use a completely different strategy for choosing my lunches than I do with selecting my clothes. Without exaggeration, I think I had a PB&J sandwich from the cafeteria every day, from when I started back full time in January to the last day they served lunch at school—except for maybe three days when I chose something else.
Nugget of Wisdom for the Week: Since we are talking about school-related topics, I want to mention one more heavy one…making friends. Some of you may be attending a new school this year as a result of a parent relocating for a job, having to live with a different family member, or some other reason. I know how you feel. I think I have mentioned before that my father was in the U.S. Navy and retired when I was 13 years old. I moved halfway through first grade and, again, halfway through the fourth grade. It was interesting when I moved back at the age of 10 to find that the children I had started kindergarten with were in my fourth-grade class.
I know what you’re thinking…what does that have to do with the topic for today? I’m glad you asked.
Learning new people every school year can be a major cause of anxiety. I have a few strategies that might work for you. First, smile. A smile can ease the anxiety of someone else who may be just as nervous as you. It can also help you start a conversation with others and see what you might have in common.
Next, notice the things other students may have on their backpacks (keychains, small animal replicas, etc.) or on their shirts. If you like the same television show or movie icon, ask how they became a fan or who are their favorite characters.
This is by no means a complete list of the ways to make friends, but if you see any students sitting alone at lunch or in class, sit beside them and introduce yourself. It might be a gesture that sets a positive tone for making a new friend.
Recipe of the Week: Turkey Club Wraps
(This recipe makes four servings, so adjust accordingly to your family size.)
What you’ll need:
4 large flour tortillas
1 cup of ranch dressing
1 pound of thinly sliced turkey
8 slices of cooked bacon
4 slices of American cheese
romaine lettuce
tomato slices
On a flat surface, place tortillas on a cutting mat. Spoon 2-3 Tbsp. of ranch dressing onto each tortilla and then spread to cover completely. Place four slices of turkey, two slices of bacon, and one slice of cheese on each tortilla. Add the lettuce and tomato slices, as desired. Fold in the ends of the tortilla and then wrap it like a burrito the rest of the way. Slice it and ENJOY!
Shout-Out of the Week: This week I want to give a shout-out to all the people who struggle with making new friends. You don’t have to fear. You are great just as you are. I know I say this a lot, but the world needs your kind of you. You got this…
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.