Search Results for: blog back to school backpack wars

Back-to-School Drama

As if parents don’t have enough to worry about as back-to-school season gets underway. Apparently, finding ways to pay for a mountain of school supplies, worrying about bullies on the bus, cajoling kids into bed at night and out in the morning, packing lunches, prepping outfits and finding the perfect bag, is not nearly enough for parents to deal with as September rolls around. Of course not. Now, we also have to figure out how to protect our kids from their own backpacks. Thanks to a new report published by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, moms and dads … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Motivators

Like mother like daughter. When it comes to back-to-school, my daughter and I are on the same page. I’m not singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and my kid is not tailgating at the bus stop. Instead, we’ve been desperately clinging to the last days of summer vacation, squeezing in as many outdoor activities as possible before she is forced to remain indoors for nearly seven hours per day. It’s not that my child hates school; it’s just that she enjoys summer more. Ditto for the Mama; only I don’t make a habit of verbalizing my personal … Continue reading →

Back to School Deals – Week of August 2, 2011

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Your children will be going back to school in just a few short weeks. It will be much more economical, and better for your budget, if you start shopping now. This way you can hit the sales as they happen, and avoid spending a ton of money in the days before school begins. Disney has a sale on backpacks and lunch totes right now. Backpacks are $12.00, and lunch totes are $6.00. If you shop from the website, use the code SCHOOLSHIP at the checkout in order to get free shipping on your entire order, (as long as the order … Continue reading →

Back-to-School: Moms vs. Dads

Moms are emotional wrecks and dads are emotionally-challenged when it comes to watching their kids head back to class. At least that’s the message I’ve garnered from viewing the slew of recent back-to-school commercials that have saturated the airwaves in the last couple of weeks. Who comes up with these stereotypical ads? And why promote the cliche? I’m referring specifically to one of the most popular back-to-school commercials EVAH! It features an overjoyed dad frolicking through a Staples store to the strains of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The dad is far from emotionless; rather, he is … Continue reading →

Easing Into Back-to-School

When I was pregnant with my daughter my main focus was to give birth to a healthy child. I considered all of the factors that would make her environment safe and secure. I also thought about what she would look like and what type of personality she would have. Though, never in the nine months she was in my womb, did I consider how she would react to school. Turns out she loves it. However, she often reveals that she does miss me during the nearly eight hours we are apart. Ditto here. To ease her transition from half-day kindergarten … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Backpack Wars

I remember a time when any bag I gave my daughter was met with a joyous squeal, a monstrous smile and an even bigger hug. Seriously, a leftover purse circa 1978, found curled up in the corner of the closet with a broken zipper, was like finding a pot of gold to my bag lady in training. Ah… the good ol’ days. My darling daughter is six years old now and the days of her willingly accepting anything I select have long faded in the rearview mirror on the long, winding road through parenthood. Last year, in preparation for her … Continue reading →

More Recess, Mom

Ask my first grader what her favorite part of the school day is and in less than a nanosecond she will respond: “RECESS!” I don’t need to be a recess mom to know how much my kid enjoys running, jumping, cartwheeling, and horsing around with friends on the school playground. I just feel bad that we live in a part of the country where outdoor play in temperate conditions is severely limited. My daughter’s school mandates that students play outside for at least 30-45 minutes per day (two to three, 15-minute recesses) unless it is pouring, or if the temperature … Continue reading →

Recess Mom

Just call me, “Recess Mom.” Yes, my time has come. I have officially arrived. My daughter’s small Catholic elementary school relies heavily on parent volunteers to supplement staff, so instead of reacquainting myself with the Dewey Decimal System in the school’s windowless library, I signed up to break up fights on the playground… I mean encourage good sportsmanship on the soccer field and make sure everyone gets a turn on the monkey bars. Fortunately, I haven’t had to unleash “Mean Recess Mom” … I mean, “Let’s all play nice like good Christian boys and girls Mom” yet. Actually, I haven’t … Continue reading →

Perception is Reality

I am the world’s biggest complainer. Just kidding. Sort of. Ok, not really. Well, maybe… but at least I am not in denial. Actually, I willingly admit to my fault and actively work to eliminate complaints from my conversations. But, it hasn’t always been this way. I’ve been a complainer since I was a teenager, but interestingly, I didn’t realize the extent of my bad habit until I became a parent. How many times have you done this: You and the rest of your clan gear up for a weekend getaway to the beach? Overall, the trip is pretty darn … Continue reading →

Do You Over Pack?

I used to… until one trip when I ended up paying nearly the equivalent of my roundtrip ticket in luggage fees. Both my checked pieces weighed more than the allotted 50 pounds and I ended up paying in the triple digits to get them on the plane with me. It was a horrific experience (namely because the airline employee checking me in had me open one of my suitcases to see what we could stuff in my carry-ons so I wouldn’t have to pay the penalty fees—-she was great-—it was the blow to my wallet that was excruciatingly painful). Since … Continue reading →