The Mabelhood

In Parenting

The Back-to-School Habit That I’m Prioritizing Above All Else: Sleep! (Yes, Even Before Homework)

August 7, 2025 No Comments

Every year, back-to-school sneaks up on me. Suddenly, we’re knee-deep in packing lunch, late-night cheer practices, and stinky gym clothes. And in chaos, something always gets sacrificed. Usually? Sleep. But not this year! This year, I’ve declared sleep our back-to-school priority. That means no more late-night math marathons or cheer practices that run into bedtime. We’re choosing rest—because well-rested kids (and parents) are simply better humans. How I got Here – Prioritizing Sleep Changed Everything in Our House this Summer I’ll admit it—I used to treat summer like one big free-for-all. Bedtimes were “suggestions,” screens were everywhere, and we were always cramming in “just one more thing.” But this summer, I decided to test a theory: What if we actually slept? So we did. No more late-night chaos, no more overstimulation. Just earlier wind-downs and consistent bedtimes—for all of us. And you know what? The change was instant: Mornings got…

In School

What to Expect From Your Kindergartener in the First Month

August 6, 2025 No Comments

You’ve done the school supply haul. You’ve labeled everything (yay!) You’ve taken the “first day of school” photo (three times because they blinked). And now… you wait. What no one really prepares you for? The emotional, behavioral, and even biological whirlwind your child is about to enter. That first month of kindergarten can feel like your once-sweet kid morphed into a mix of a gremlin, a teenager, and a baby giraffe learning to walk—all rolled into one adorable tornado of a kid. 1. Expect the After-School Meltdown They held it together all day. And now? You’re the safe zone- they unleashed the after-school restraint collapse. Your kindergartener may walk through the door and crumble: tears, attitude, dramatic declarations like, “I’m NEVER going back!” This is normal. School requires them to regulate all day—sitting still, sharing, remembering routines. When they get home, the emotional floodgates open. How to help: Don’t pepper…

In Parenting

Are We Coddling Our Middle Schoolers? 15 Things They Could Be Doing on Their Own (But Probably Aren’t)

August 3, 2025 No Comments

There’s no shame in being a hands-on parent. But somewhere between preschool pick-up and middle school lockers, a lot of us forgot to put down the metaphorical bubble wrap. Back in the day (sorrym but here comes the nostalgia), 12-year-olds were babysitting their siblings, cooking Kraft Dinner solo, and walking home from school without tracking apps. Today, many middle schoolers can’t find their own soccer cleats without texting mom. So, what gives? It’s Not Just the Parents Let’s be fair: the world has changed. School pressure has ramped up. Extracurriculars are intense. Social media is a minefield. And we’re all parenting in an age of what-if anxiety, where independence sometimes feels like recklessness. But experts say we may be swinging too far in the other direction. In fact, research shows that overparenting can hurt kids’ mental health, leading to lower resilience, less confidence, and even higher levels of anxiety and…

In School

Why Does Homeschooling Still Feel Controversial?

July 22, 2025 No Comments

Why is Homeschooling Still a Hot Topic? Back-to-school season comes with sharpened pencils, nervous energy, and, for some families, raised eyebrows. While homeschooling has been steadily growing for years, there’s still an air of “Wait, you do what now?” around it. Why does homeschooling still feel controversial? Even in 2025, when flexible learning options are more accessible than ever, homeschooling can trigger strong opinions. Some people assume it’s a lifestyle only for the ultra-crunchy. Others question whether kids will grow up lacking social skills or basic math. And let’s be honest, there are still folks who picture homeschooled kids churning butter in Little House aprons and bonnets. Spoiler: that’s not the reality for most families. Where the Stigma Comes From Let’s rewind. Historically, homeschooling was often associated with fringe ideologies, mistrust of public education, or families seeking to avoid curriculum they didn’t agree with. In other words—it got typecast. Even…

In Parenting

Finding the Joy in a “Homecation” (When Everyone else is Travelling)

July 10, 2025 No Comments

When Travel Isn’t in the Cards: Homecations! If your social feed is full of friends jetting off to Disney or Europe, it’s easy to feel like your summer is falling short. But a summer homecation with kids can still be joyful, memorable, and deeply connecting. Whether you’re sticking close to home for financial (and perhaps, er, political reasons), or work schedules, there are ways to turn this season into something your kids will still talk about in September—and not just with envy. Why Homecations Matter (Especially This Year) For many families across Canada and the U.S., 2025 is shaping up to be a tighter summer. Rising travel costs, long work commutes, and overbooked camps have left lots of parents wondering: What now? Here’s the good news: Kids don’t need plane tickets to feel wonder. They just need presence, novelty, and a little maybe magic and creativity. How to Make a…

In Parenting

“Let Them Rest” vs. “Keep Them Learning”: The Great Summer Slide Debate

July 1, 2025 No Comments

Is summertime the reset kids need—or an academic setback? Parents and teachers are divided, and it’s easy to see both sides. What Is the Summer Slide? The summer slide—also known as summer learning loss—is the decline in academic skills that can happen when kids take an extended break from structured learning over the summer months. For many students in the early elementary grades, this slide can mean starting the new school year already behind where they left off. Studies show that students can lose up to two months of math and reading skills during summer vacation if they’re not engaged academically. But what happens when those same kids have been burning out under academic pressure all year long? That’s where the debate begins. Some parents argue that summer is a much-needed pause for mental health and development—while many educators see summer learning as essential to keeping kids on track. So…

In Parenting

Preparing for Kindergarten: Social-Emotional Skills Every Child Needs

June 27, 2025 No Comments

Is my toddler ready to transition from daycare to kindergarten? From a teacher-mom of two, here’s what to look for and how to prep your kid like a pro, without overwhelming them! The Daycare to Kindergarten Transition Is a Big Deal Wondering if your toddler is ready for kindergarten? Here are clear signs and simple steps to help with the daycare-to-kindergarten transition. Let’s be real: the jump from daycare to kindergarten can feel like a leap off a cliff—for both of you. One minute your toddler is finger painting and napping after lunch, the next they’re expected to sit still for circle time, line up without tears, and manage a backpack bigger than their torso. Kindergarten brings with it a new set of expectations—not just academically, but socially and emotionally. For many kids, this is the first time they’ll be one of many in a big classroom instead of the…

In Parenting

What to Say When Your Child Asks, “Is That a Boy or a Girl?”

June 12, 2025 No Comments

I was in line at the grocery store when my daughter looked at me and, referring to the cashier, asked (loudly) “is that a boy or a girl?” Cue the internal panic. Do I whisper? Redirect? Pretend I didn’t hear? These moments catch many of us off guard—not because our kids are doing something wrong, but because we want to get it right. I remembered something a friend once told me: You don’t need all the answers. You just need one thing—kindness. (This was about people with disabilities, but the same rule can apply). So, I decided to model kindness in the face of curiosity or confusion – I taught my daughter that people are never something to be whispered about—they’re to be respected, always. Why Kids Ask “Is That a Boy or Girl?” Back to me—in the checkout line—trying to balance respect, accuracy, and the burning need to say…

In Parenting

Montessori Summer Routine for Kids: Low-Cost Ways to Keep Kids Busy Without Screens

June 8, 2025 No Comments

With summer in full swing, many parents are scrambling for ways to keep kids busy without defaulting to screens or breaking the bank. That’s where a Montessori summer routine for kids comes in. Why a Montessori Summer Routine Works This simple, child-led approach encourages independence, creativity, and connection—all while helping you stay sane. You don’t need expensive day trips or a packed calendar. With just a few thoughtful changes, your family can thrive this summer. Your Daily Montessori-Inspired Summer Schedule: 1. Morning: Predictable Routine Start the day with a rhythm your kids can count on: Wake up Make the bed Get dressed (let them choose their outfit) Brush teeth Simple morning chore Breakfast By encouraging kids to take care of their own needs from the get-go, you’re teaching life skills and cutting down on morning chaos. Predictability also helps reduce anxiety and behavior struggles throughout the day. 2. Mid-Morning: Free…

In Parenting

Why Your Kid is Melting Down: The End-of-School-Year Transitions Explained by a Teacher

June 1, 2025 No Comments

The Overlooked Transition Parents Need to Know About Let’s talk about the other big transition no one prepares for: the end-of-school-year behavior! Everyone talks about the first day of school. The backpacks. The nerves. The tears (from you and your kid). But what no one prepares you for is the last day—and all the weird weeks leading up to it. This is an emotional transition too, and it can take families by surprise. As a teacher, I’ve seen kids go from confident and cheerful to clingy and chaotic in a matter of days. I’ve also watched parents feel blindsided, wondering, “What happened to my easygoing kid?” Here’s the truth: this season is big. And just like you supported them into the school year, they need help getting out of it, too. Why Kids Get Weird; The End of School Year Behavior Spoiler: It’s not just excitement for summer. There’s something…