Back to School

Is it still nerdy to love the library if you have one as cool as the Orange County Library? I have always loved visiting libraries, and I have lots of memories wasting away long summer days in some corner with a...

The door.  Don't let it hit you on the way out.  Some mornings it does, some mornings it doesn't.  Here are some ways to help with the dreaded (early) morning routine. My husband and I work the same hours.  We...

It happened again. I was watching my 12 year old twins ride motorized animal scooters at Artegon Marketplace when two ladies sitting on a bench struck up a conversation with me. “Are those your granddaughters?” one asked. “No,” I said...

We went straight to the source to find out what is on a teacher's checklist to determine if your preschooler is ready for kindergarten. We asked preschool and kindergarten teachers what parents can do to prepare our children for kindergarten....

  When my son started kindergarten I tried to join the PTA. We were living in California at the time and I dutifully attended the first PTA meeting. I signed up to be a volunteer. I checked the boxes for...

  6th grade was hell. My daughter, who had thrived in her elementary school gifted program, was a cheerful 5th grader, bright in many ways. But middle school slung mud onto her brightness. It scuffed her confidence, smoothed her smiley...

  Tonight I read my second grade son his bedtime story. He's really into "choose your own story" books and the one he likes the most is about the golden age of piracy. He gets to choose whether he joins...

After getting back in the school routine, there is still nothing more stressful than the return to the dreaded homework. It can be a nightly battle centered around completing those after-school assignments. But does it have to be? I can...

It can be tricky to navigate the social waters at school, to find a group of friends, and to find activities that are right for you. Mom, I'm talking about you here, not your child! Volunteering at school can...

It’s back-to-school time - that time of year for lots of great blog posts with suggestions for making healthy school lunches. Pictures accompanying these articles run the gamut from ultra-Pinteresty to simple suggestions for quick and healthy lunches. And...

With my oldest soon to enter high school and my youngest learning to use the potty, I've been contemplating more and more about going back to work. This would be a huge change in my homeschooled family's life. My kids...

With re-registration happening all around me this time of year, I couldn't help but remember two years ago when I was stressing out about finding the “perfect” daycare fit for our son Everett. It weighed heavy on my mind for weeks,...

School's back in session. I’m a teacher. I’m a momma, too. Communicating effectively with your child’s teacher is paramount to have a successful school experience for your little ones. The following suggestions may help create healthy dialogue with your child's teacher! 1....

Where did 1460 days go? I have been full time mom for 4 years and my little one starts preschool soon. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’s going to be a mess that day; my husband might have...

Here are some quick things that I want my students' parents to know. I'm sure this goes for ALL teachers.  1. Be honest... if life just got in the way of getting homework done or anything else, just tell us....