Posted at: 08/11/2009 11:38 AM
By: Benita Zahn

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As the summer closes - transitioning kids back to school

  Figures, after the crummy weather we've endured in June and July the delightful summer weather shows its face as we approach the finish line. As kids and adults try to cram in as much fun as possible, the return to routines and school looms.

   There are a few things to keep in mind ..  and I just wrote about this for an upcoming LIVE SMART article in the Times Union (a segment I write every week as part of a larger project with a number of organizations) .. feet. It's not easy putting your tootsies back into shoes after a summer of freedom in sandals. But it's also a good opportunity to check for any foot damage, even signs of melanoma ... and definitely, for the kids - get their feet professionally measured to insure they're in the right size shoe.

   Then there's the issue of toeing the line .. sometimes during summer months kids are exposed to situations they've haven't encountered - perhaps acted in ways they might normally not do. I can remember spending time at my grandparent's home in the summer and I'm ashamed to say, a right of passage was filching something from the corner candy store. All these years later my conscience still smarts knowing I took a piece of bubble gum so I could fit in. That's the last thing I ever lifted - I knew it was wrong. But for other kids it's not as clear cut which is why this article in the NY Times caught my eye and I thought to share it. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/health/11klass.html?th&emc=th