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back-to-school shopping
In School

Tips to Save Money on Back-To-School Supplies

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Times are tough; with interest rates and inflation rising rapidly, we’re all starting to look at our spending. Back-to-School is one of those times of year that can add up quickly. Before you know it, you’re over budget. But, there are ways to shop smart. Here are some tips to save money on back-to-school supplies. It’s time to get creative and shop smart! 1) Buy only what you need. Before buying everything you need, check with the teacher and request a supply list. Perhaps you don’t need to buy as much as you think. So save your money and only purchase what the teacher requests. If you’re eager to start, check out these School Supply Lists by Grade. 2) Bundle and buy in bulk. Sometimes purchasing items together is cheaper than individually. If you find your kids don’t need everything in the bundle, you can pair up with friends who…

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In Parenting

Summer Chores for Kids by Age + Extra Jobs to Help Them Earn Money

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We would all love Summer to be an idyllic time with our kids, but let’s be real – it isn’t. If, like many parents, you find yourself constantly dealing with nagging your children to do menial tasks, then you’re not alone!   Summer is a great time to start a chores list with your kids. Giving your kids chores teaches them responsibility, allows them to earn screentime (or whatever that may be in your house) and teaches them that chores are a necessary part of life and a part of working together as a family to keep a household running. Here is a list of chores by age that your kids can do summer, plus some added tasks that can help you out, and teach them about earning money, and prepare for their first job. Firstly, every child should be responsible for their own stuff, and their own personal care chores…

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after school restraint
In Parenting

After School Restraint Collapse; Tips on How Your Family Can Survive These Difficult School Days

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We’re just a few weeks into the school year, and we’ve finally conquered the back-to-school first-week nerves (not yet? Sending love). Just as we start to think to count down the morning struggles, we begin to think that maybe, just maybe, we can handle the morning routine. The moment we let our guard down, thinking we’ve got this, we start to see a new pattern arising—After School Restraint Collapse, a term coined by Andrea Loewen Nair.Maybe for your kindie, it’s a total out-of-control meltdown, or for your tween, it’s acting quiet and grumpy. However it looks in your household, it’s likely hard to manage. It’s also a little disheartening; you’re excited to see your kids and hear all about their day, and you get nothing but mumbled grunts in return.   This is normal. It’s manageable, and it’s very, very common. After School restraint Collapse, a term coined only a few…

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In News

How to Explain Climate Change to Your Kids; And the Changes You Can Make Today

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Updated June 2023, as many school districts have canceled all outdoor activities due to poor air quality, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of the importance and impact climate change can have on our daily lives. One day your children will ask what is climate change? It’s important and imperative for us to teach our children to understand climate change’s impact on our planet. Our kids and teens must understand the reality of what is going on. Or you may have a child or teen growing into a climate warrior, which can sometimes be tricky for parents to navigate. There are ways to help our kids understand climate change. To encourage them, and work with them to ensure that we’re doing the right thing for our planet, not only for ourselves, but for all plants, animals, and interesting creatures who live on it. They have a right to know. …

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In School

School Supply Checklist by Grade

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Believe it or not, Back to School is upon us just around the corner, and it’s time we start thinking about what we may need to purchase for our kids.  As experts in the back-to-school arena, we’ve often been asked what each grade requires for school. It’s tough to answer as each school district and each teacher is so different in what they’ll require. But if you’re starting to shop before your school list comes out, you can look here at what the most common items are for each grade level; it’s a good starting point and give or take a few items, this back-to-school supply list will be a good reflection of what you may need. Another thing to keep in mind (for all USA residents) is to consider doing your shopping on tax-free weekends. A full list of tax-free school supply shopping weekends can be found here. Kindergarten…

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IEP process
In Parenting

Navigating & Advocating The IEP Process

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  IE… What!? Understanding your child’s IEP  Any parent knows that there is no official parenting handbook. We’re all just winging it, googling it, and trial and error. For parents of kids with additional needs, this couldn’t be truer. From navigating complex medical issues, behavioral anomalies, etc., the paperwork and processes are tiresome and arduous before they’ve even started school. Then, just when you think you may have it all figured out, school starts, and a new process begins. The problem with these systems is that the industry leaders have years of knowledge; it’s what they do for a living. But it’s up to the parents to navigate this unfamiliar system with no prior training, no handbook, and often little to no support. It can feel like representing yourself at a trial you have no previous knowledge of.   Many expressed how concerning, anxiety-inducing, and fear-provoking the initial special education evaluation and IEP…

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In Parenting

7 Tips to Help Kids Set and Achieve Goals

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Now that your child has settled in to a school routine, it’s a good time to talk about setting goals and working toward them. This is a life skill, as there will always be things your child wants to achieve or areas where she needs to improve.

Does your child have a goal for this school year? It may be to get a higher grade in math, read a popular book series independently, or participate more frequently in class discussions. To help get the ball rolling, we’ve got tips and strategies to guide your child through goal setting.

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