Search Results for: blog last minute school prep

School Shopping On a Budget

It’s back to school time for most of us. I remember how worried I was that first year I was divorced. Where was the money going to come from for school clothes? There seemed to be so many expenses. I was fortunate that first summer, my niece and nephew were old enough to stay home alone and Hailey stayed with them so I didn’t have to pay for daycare, when school started it was a different story. There were so many things to worry about, Hailey was going to be a latch key kid for the first time, she would … Continue reading →

New School Year – New Problems With Bussing

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A brand new school year means that changes in routine will occur. This can be really stressful for kids who have certain types of special needs. School just started, but already, there are problems with the busses that transport Special Education students to and from school. Children with autism rely on knowing that their day will have a set, expected, schedule. In school, a student may be using a laminated chart that shows what will happen first, next, and after that, for his or her entire school day. Or, the chart could be a digital one that is on an … Continue reading →

How to Prepare Your Wardrobe for the Holidays

Have you ever found yourself at the last minute trying to find a tie or a belt or a clean dress shirt for someone? Between holiday parties and various holiday events, such as Christmas choir, I am afraid that I have found myself in that situation. I remember last year, having to run out the night before a concert to get dress pants, shirt and tie for my oldest son, who grew out of his dressy clothes. The run to the store was not fun, and I probably paid more than I should have paid, because I was in an … Continue reading →

Last-Minute School Prep

So much for Scooby-Doo. My daughter is now the proud owner of a brand-new Penguins of Madagascar backpack. That’s it; my days (nay, weeks) of back-to-school shopping are officially over. Let the second grade begin! My kid is ready, both physically and mentally. I’m almost there. It’s time to bid farewell to summer, but before we do there are a few things we have left to do this weekend: Magical Meals: Once school starts breakfasts will be abbreviated and consist of dishes that can be made and consumed in less than 10 minutes. Meanwhile, lunches will be packed the night … Continue reading →

Preparing Your Pup for Back to School

For most of us, the last thing on our minds during the busy back to school season is the family dog. As it turns out, Fido might need you to prepare him or her for the change as well. Unless everyone was out of the home all day during the summer, just like during the school year, your dog’s gotten extra summertime company. Thus it might experience some separation anxiety when everyone goes back to their school year schedules. Pet site ZooToo has some tips for how to gage if your dog will have separation anxiety problems during the school … Continue reading →

School’s Out! Now What?

Summer vacation can be the best of times or worst of times for parents with bored kids. If you are scrambling for ways to keep your children entertained during the dog days of summer break from school, consider these kid-friendly activities that yield sweet treats, full stomachs and huge smiles: SWEET SAND CASTLE Ingredients: 1 package (18 1/4 ounces) banana cake mix plus ingredients to prepare mix as directed on box 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 package (6 serving size) instant butterscotch flavor pudding mix, plus ingredients to prepare mix as directed on box Clean small … Continue reading →

Parents Prepare for Snowmaggedon

The Southeast is still trying to dig out from the snow that paralyzed major cities and left travelers stranded from Georgia to North Carolina, and now the Northeast is preparing for another major winter storm that is set to clobber the region over the next 48 hours. If you are a parent of a school-age child, you are likely bracing for more than just a few hours of shoveling. Instead, you will have to adjust your work schedule to accommodate one, two, or possibly, three snow days. For many moms and dads, the thought of enduring a round of cabin … 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 →

Activities Fostering an Appreciation of Other Cultures in Elementary and Middle-school Students

My last blog discussed activity ideas for helping young children become comfortable with racial diversity. Here are some ideas for teachers of elementary and middle school students: –Make sure they know the science of skin color. A good book is All the Colors We Are: The story of How We Get Our Skin Color. This is a bilingual (English/Spanish) book with photographs and simple explanations. –I like to follow or precede a discussion of the science of skin color with an artistic or aesthetic look at the beauty of different skin colors. I like All the Colors of the Earth, … Continue reading →

Teaching Your Preschooler About Good Nutrition

Talking to your preschooler about the benefits of eating a healthy diet will likely do little to change his view on broccoli and cauliflower. However, if you invite him into the kitchen and allow him to work on recipes with you that include nutritious ingredients, your point will probably be better received. Kids love rolling up their sleeves and creating yummy treats so why not take advantage of their enthusiasm? The following tasty recipes are easy to prepare and the best part—-they are incredibly healthy. ORGANIC CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS Ingredients: 1 cup organic peanut butter 1/3 cup honey 2 … Continue reading →