Though spending time together is important for siblings, there are simply some activities they won't be able to do together because of the age difference. Don't worry! Some separation is good, and they can bond over different activities. For example, don't let a younger sibling play with dangerous toys or ride on bikes that are too large for them, however much of a daredevil they may be. You might not want your younger kid staying up late with the older one, or watching a suspenseful movie. Remember, too, that your older child is still a child, not a mini-babysitter. Avoid constantly forcing them to play with their younger siblings--this is a path to resentment, which doesn't exactly foster bonding. Make sure you are giving your older child time to be a kid and play with children their own age. Sharing is great, but so is having a few things of your own. Allow your kids to have a few toys or items that are off-limits to their siblings. Making sure all siblings respect this can help reduce resentment. For example, your children may have a favorite stuffed animal, doll, car, action figure, blanket, or pillow that they do not want to share. That's fine--your child isn't turning into a little miser. Just make sure the siblings know which items are off limits. Think about giving each child a box with their name on it where they can store their special toys. That mischievous smile may make you melt, but don't let your younger child's inappropriate behavior slide. This can cause bad feelings and lead to rivalries, especially if the older children feel that they are always the ones who get in trouble. Luckily, avoiding this is simple: just teach all your children appropriate behavior. Help your younger children know when they are behaving inappropriately and show them the proper behavior. Take toy-grabbing, a classic younger sibling behavior that drives older siblings crazy. When you see your younger child snatch a doll or block that belongs to the older child, offer a mild correction. You may say, "We must take turns with toys. Your sibling is playing with that doll right now, and you can't grab it when they play with it. Instead, if you're patient, polite, and wait your turn, you can play with it when they're done."

Summary: Keep age-appropriate boundaries. Allow the children to have their own possessions. Teach appropriate behavior.

At the beginning of any term, teachers or professors will usually hand out a syllabus with the assignments and expectations for a class. Make sure you read the syllabus carefully to know exactly what you need to do to pass the course. Make sure to pay attention to the breakdown of how assignments, attendance, and exams factor in to your grade. This will help you prioritize how much you need to study, and where to focus your attention. If you have any questions on the syllabus, ask the professor. It's much better to ask a question at the beginning than plow on with no idea of what you're doing. You cannot successfully pass a class or exams if you do not attend the class. This will allow you to hear vital lectures and take notes, as well as help you understand your readings and assignments. Most exams are based on what is covered in class, so skipping class is never advisable. Some teachers will penalize absences, meaning you might not even pass the class if you skip. Teachers and professors usually discuss what is likely to be on an exam during classes, so if you aren't in class you can't get this crucial information. If you cannot attend class, let your professor know in advance. Ask her what you will miss in class and if there is anything you can do to make up for the absence and get the information. Don't ask your teacher or professor questions like "Did I miss anything in class yesterday?" The assumption is that all days give you valuable information, and questions like this come across as disrespectful of your teacher. Don't "zone out." Sometimes, it's tempting to play solitaire or check your phone during class instead of listening, especially if you're in a class you feel you understand pretty well. However, you might miss something important if you do this. Stay attentive for the whole class period. . Lectures and discussions are a key component to a class and contain information you will need to pass the exams. By paying attention and taking notes throughout the term, you will have a built in study aid that will help you effectively study without scrambling for additional information. Come prepared. Use a binder or notebook, and bring pens or pencils to class. If you will be discussing things from a book, bring a highlighter too. Teachers will often say things like, "This passage is very significant for understanding ____ in general" or "Make sure you understand the information in this sidebar." If your teacher notes something specific in class, mark it immediately. Taking notes is a delicate balancing act between getting too little and too much information. You don't want to write down everything a professor says, just the important information. For example, it's less important to know what type of planes bombed Dresden in February of 1945 than why the bombing was significant for World War II. Try using keywords instead of trying to copy out full sentences. Trying to take dictation from your professor could mean you don't get the essence of what's really important. Try using key phrases and words instead of full sentences. Take notes by hand. Studies have shown that people learn more by writing notes instead of typing them in to a computer or recording them on a device. Check out some note-taking systems. There are a bunch of systems for learning how to take notes. Cal Poly has information on several types, along with their pros and cons. Most professors and teachers will assign reading during the semester and then draw upon this as they write the exam. By doing the reading assignments, you will not only be able to participate in class discussions, but will also have the information you need to pass the exam. Make sure to take notes on the reading assignment as you read. Just like taking notes from lectures, you only need to write down the most important information. Skim back over your reading assignments every few weeks. You don't have to go through everything in-depth, but going back over the main points will help them "gel" in your memory, so you can access them later on the exam. Since class assignments are usually meant to help you learn a subject more thoroughly, it's important that you do them. They may even serve as practice for exam questions. The material you use and produce for any type of assignment may show up on an exam. Everything from math or scientific problems to short essays will help you be prepared and pass an exam. Participating in class discussions will also help you pass an exam because it gives you a chance to verbalize and work out your thoughts with other students and the professor.

Summary: Read the syllabus. Attend class regularly. Take notes Do all reading assignments. Do papers and other class assignments.

It may happen daily, weekly or even monthly, but whenever it occurs be sure to show up to family meals. Dinner provides families with the opportunity to share stories, relax and recharge with the goal of developing a sense of who you are as a family. Don't skip meals in favor of hanging out with your friends. They can wait the extra hour to see you. 3,700 texts a month or 125 per day are sent and received by teenagers. Chances are, a lot of those messages are received while you're at home. Put the phone down, turn off your music and really spend time with your family. Spending time together provides you with better opportunities for sharing quality experiences. Spending time together helps to foster open dialogue and better communication. The more time you spend together, the easier you'll find it to converse with your parents. You'll also create some great memories together that you can talk about for years to come.
Summary: Show up for family meals. Be present. Participate in family activities.