October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This is an important time to remind your children to not judge or act mean to anyone and to always appreciate differences. How do we prepare our children for a diverse world and teach them to celebrate differences? We can raise children to respect and value people regardless of the differences between us. Teaching acceptance may be easier than you think! Model Acceptance and Tolerance – Be the first person or family to try to help someone who looks like they feel out of place. Encourage your child to have many different friends from different cultures and interests. Walk the Walk- Create opportunities for your children to interact and make friends with people who are different than them. A powerful lesson is to ask them to imagine … [Read more...]
20 After School Snacks for Kids
First we showed you 20 Amazing School Lunch for Kids to get them through their busy school day in a fun way, but what do you do about the after school tummy rumble? I don't know about your kids, but mine come home from school starving, some days I feel like I need to give them a second lunch they are so hungry. We also need snacks that can be taken to after school activities, enjoyed while they are doing homework, and that while get them through until dinnertime. We've got 20 delicious after school snacks your kids will be racing home for. Turn vegetables and fruit into funny faces. Try pineapple ring eyes with blueberries inside, a banana mouth, and a strawberry nose. Recipe can be found here: How to Get Your Child to Eat Healthy Food. Don't save fun foods just for … [Read more...]
Encouraging Kindness in a Game Format {Free Printable}
As I dropped off my kids for the first day of school, I thought of how important it is as parents to foster and build our children's character. Kindness is a big part of great character! The definition of kindness is the quality of being generous and considerate. Wonderful thoughtful kids are made not born. That inspired me to create ways to remind my kids to spread kindness this year! Why not make a fun game format that challenges them to perform simple acts of kindness in school? Here are 13 acts of kindness to teach children to be nice and generous one good deed at a time: Hold a door open for someone. Thank someone for something they do. Clean up after someone. Help someone today. Say "Hi" to someone new. Push in someone's chair. Give a nice compliment. Make a card … [Read more...]
7 Back-to-School Teacher’s Gifts
We received a postcard in the mail yesterday informing us that middle school orientation is only weeks away. Like, three weeks. How did the summer go by so quickly? The countdown is on and back-to-school shopping and preparation is eminent. As with each school year, I enjoy sending my kids with gifts for the new teachers. I think it's a way to tell the teacher on day one that you appreciate all that they will be doing for your children five days a week for the next nine months. Today I've gathered 7 Back-to-School Teacher's Gift ideas that go beyond the traditional 'apple for teacher'. /1/ Apples Teacher's Gift Basket - I know I said these gifts would go beyond 'apples for teacher' but, this one is different. This basket is filled with all things apple scented or flavored. A fun … [Read more...]
Back-to-School Photography Inspiration
It's almost that time of year...Back-to-School time! New school supplies, new clothes and a new grade are exciting and fun for children and parents. The first day of school is one that almost always gets captured on film (ahem, I should now say memory card!) and will be viewed over and over again as your children grow. Are you looking for a few new ideas this year instead of the standard picture-in-front-of-the-bus? Here are a few creative ideas to inspire you and your kids to make this years pictures fun and memorable! 1) I love this new spin on the classic first day of school photo in front of the school bus from The Crafting Chicks - take a step back and capture Dad (or Mom) walking their child to the school bus. It's an exciting day for kids and parents and it's fun to get them both … [Read more...]
7 DIY Back-to-School Supplies That Are A+
Back-to-School is right around the corner. The sales flyers and store front windows are proof in themselves that it's almost time to send our kids back into the classroom. Do you have what it takes to save a little money and make a few of their supplies on your own? Or, would you like to simply add a little DIY to your school supply organization? Keep reading. I've got a few DIY tutorials to get you started! /1/Pencil Pouch - Sure the pencil pouches at the big box stores are cheap, but are they this cute? With even a little sewing knowledge YOU can make this super cute pouch for all of your pencils and pens. /2/Toddler Backpack - Almost always, our older children have a strong opinion on what color and style backpack they want to carry. Our preschoolers, on the other hand, … [Read more...]
