I'm a sucker for anything that makes my busy life easier. So when I was asked to try Walmart's new Grocery Pick-up service, you better believe I was game to try it. Grocery shopping is often not only a juggling act with kids in tow, but it's also a huge time suck for me; depending on the time of day, sometimes I'd find myself stuck in the grocery store for up to two hours. Two hours! I can think of 800 things I'd rather be doing than grocery shopping for two hours. Walmart … [Read more...]
how to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know
School's in full swing here, and if your house is anything like mine, getting kids to talk about their day is sometimes difficult. I want to know everything: Who did they sit with at lunch? Who did they play with at recess? How do they like their tablemates? What book did they start in Guided Reading? Who hosted the morning tv show? But it's hard. The kids are tired at 3pm, they're even more tired at 7pm, and the last thing they want to do is talk to boring old Mom about … [Read more...]
25 days of kindness, 25 ways to be kind to others
With school back in session, emotions are high over here. While many students are super excited to meet the new teacher, to see old classmates, and to get acquainted with a new schedule, other students may not be quite as thrilled about going back. There can be a lot of stress and anxiety that comes with the new year, and often we, as parents and teachers, tend to forget that. This year, with the release of the Born This Way Foundation's study on Kind Communities and with the launch of … [Read more...]
quick and easy math game: strike it out!
Originally published December 7, 2011, but republishing because it rocks. I'm always on the hunt for ways to make math more fun over here, especially since math is not my forte. So when Maddy came home with 'play game with someone' as her assignment one day a few weeks ago, I was all for it. Mommy! I get to play a game for homework tonight! Let's start it right away!! Music. To. My. Ears. And the more we played, the more I loved it. And the more we played, the more Owen wanted … [Read more...]
say NO to teen smoking: Right Decisions, Right Now
When I was asked by the good people at Right Decisions, Right Now and We Are Teachers to share information about teens and smoking with my readers, I shook my head in disbelief. Kids are really still smoking? Is cigarette smoking still a thing in 2017? Which kid are really pressuring others to try smoking? My kids better not ever try smoking. Heck, my kids' friends better not pressure them into anything. But really--smoking is indeed still a thing, and young people between the ages of … [Read more...]
smart ways to keep kids healthy–in school and at home with fit4Schools
When I was asked by the great folks at WeAreTeachers to take a minute to check out fit4Schools, I was thrilled. But I was skeptical. fit4Schools actually seemed too good to be true. A site designed to empower children and families to make healthy lifestyle choices a habit? Yes please. A fitcalendar with a fun activity to get kids moving every, single day? How awesome? Free lesson plans for teachers, designed to Captivate, Educate, and Activate learning on different … [Read more...]
stay sane during the holidays: Blue Apron makes feeding family easy and fun
Our family loves food. We love food. We love to make food, talk about food, celebrate with food, and eat food. My kids are food adventurous, and we are basically always up for trying a new things. But we're busy. We're juggling work and school and homework and activities and lessons and church. So finding time for creating healthy meals for our family is not always easy. Add the holidays looming, and life is nuts. Enter: Blue Apron. We had a chance to give Blue Apron … [Read more...]
top secret ‘happy day’ notes for the whole ‘hood
Originally published September 1, 2010, but republished today because, well, friends, everyone could use a lift. Last week, we ran into a verrrry blue Thursday morning. Everyone was cranky, everyone was bickering, and everyone was down in the dumps. Maybe our summertime later-night schedule was finally taking a toll on us; maybe we were anxious about the upcoming change of schedule. Whatever it was, we needed a lift. I remembered my pal Jessica's recent post about 'Doing Good … [Read more...]
life lessons from nana
My Nana passed away last week. It's been so hard, so sad. And if you follow me on Instagram, you know that she's been ill for some time now--in a nursing home this summer and then a few weeks in hospice care. But it doesn't make the loss any easier, knowing that the end was near. I've written about our power notes to Nana, I've shared bits and pieces here and there about our visits to Nana over the years and how much she's meant to me. But I thought that today, since I can't … [Read more...]
talking to tweens about drugs: it’s time to start now
Sometimes when I actually stop to think about the fact that we have a 12, 11, and 9 year old in the house, I cannot even believe it. I absolutely cannot wrap my head around it. I can't believe that in two years,we'll no longer have a child in elementary school. I can't believe that in four years, we'll have a middle schooler and two high schoolers. I can't believe that in less than ten years, we'll have three kids in college. I honestly can't believe that all of those 'big' … [Read more...]
room parent 101: 3 tricks to make the year rock (and free tools to stay organized!)
So, you're a room parent this year, huh? Whether you've been roped into it or whether you chose to take on this important role on your own free will, there are some things you must know: You will have a lot of fun. Really, you will. The kids are so cool. They are. And the parents appreciate you! You will be organized. From right now until the end of the year, friend, you must stay organized. You will need a team. So starting now, you may be the room parent, but you will have a … [Read more...]
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