Dear Readers,
Many of you may have kids starting school this week or next. Now’s the time to sit down and talk about what those changes may mean. If you’re not sure where to start, we got you covered. Also, check out some tips on packing lunches.
Sincerely,
Nargis Rahman
Saa Nasta Newsletter
Here are 5 back-to-school tips to discuss with your kids
By Nargis Hakim Rahman
It’s time for Back-to-School paperwork, packing lunches, and adjusting to new routines. This year I have three kids in three schools. I’m starting to feel the crunch. With school shootings on the rise and new spaces, here are five things to discuss with your kids as they are heading back to school.
Learn your surroundings: Whether it’s a new school or a new way to walk home, teach your kids safety protocols on how to get to school, how to get home, and how to ask for help when they need it. If your child is a new buser, talk to them about what to do if they accidentally miss their stop. What do they do if there’s no one at the bus stop? Do they have a buddy system and a fellow bus rider? It’s important to discuss these things before something goes wrong and create a plan a, b, and c. If they are walkers, walk home in a group if possible.
Safety, safety, safety: Encourage your kids to let an adult know if they hear students discussing committing violence. Also, are they feeling violent? How do they get help if they are spiraling? Unfortunately, there are many school shootings in schools. Discuss things like what to do in active shooter situations and how to get in touch with you if they are in danger. Find out the school district's safety protocols and discuss them with your kids.
Communication is key: It's okay to be frustrated when they begin their new routines and make new friends. Create time and space to discuss their new changes. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to say it aloud.
It’s important to detox: Kids need to come home, kick off their shoes and relax. What are some ways that they can do that? Teach them techniques like deep breathing, journaling and even going for a walk to get out that extra bottled-up energy in school. Breathe together. We got this together.
Make safe friends: Not all friends are ‘good’ or ‘safe’ friends. What are things that are okay to discuss with friends, and not? What should they look out for in people they want to be friends with ( good vs. toxic friendships)? What do good friends look like? Whether it’s making friends at school, the mosque, or the community center - where are some good places to make friends?
Back-to-school can be a high-anxiety time for parents and kids, but it’s great to create some conversations about tackling it together. Include your kids in the discussions and come up with a plan together.
What to pack for lunch? South Asian-inspired lunch ideas
If you’re scrambling for lunch ideas, here are a few things you can make ahead of time to send the kids for lunch.
Kichuri - Pack this rice and lentil dish with some veggies. Make it in the instant pot to save time.
Biryani - Make it at night and pack it for the morning. Use boneless chicken, keema, or shrimp for a smoother experience to eat at school.
Bengali noodles - You can use instant noodles to stir-fry some scrambled eggs. Skip the Kasa morris (green Thai chilies) and use the flavor packet instead. If your kids like it spicy, use red chili pepper flakes instead. Add some cilantro to garnish.
Chicken bites - For meal prep, I cook 2 lbs. chicken breasts cubed and cooked with 2 Tablespoons of oil with 1/2 Tspn garlic and 1/2 Tspn ginger, salt, and black pepper to taste. You can add these to salads, sandwiches, or pasta.
Pastries - Buy puff pastries and fill them with baazis, keema, or chicken filling.