Book Review: You're Strong, Smart, and You Got This!

 Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own. 

I guess anxiety runs in my family. I have bad anxiety, as does my mom. Several members of my husband's family do as well. My daughter was diagnosed at 3 with an anxiety disorder. The thing I've learned over the years is that you don't always need medication. Sometimes a friendly and encouraging word will do the trick. That's why I now keep You're Strong, Smart, and You Got This handy.

When my daughter is down and her anxiety starts taking over, she often feels that nothing is "good enough," although all I want is for her to try her best. When this happens, we find a quiet place, chat together, and flip through this beautiful book. She loves the pictures too!

You can check out the flip through on my Instagram Stories. 

One thing that I love about this book is that in addition to the cute illustrations and quotes there are letters throughout the book that are encouraging as well. 

If someone in your life has anxiety, this book would be a great gift for them. 

I'm Sorry Mama! If I knew Then What I Know Now

 My mama is in the hospital right now and although I know she's going to be okay, I have her on my mind constantly and I am so worried about her catching COVID. There are some things I've wanted to say to her and so here goes!

Dear Mama. 

I laugh sometimes when the kids call me mommy because you never could stand being called mommy, mother, or mom. You have always been mama, now Grani. I laugh because I used to call you the names you can't stand just to annoy you. Guess what?! It came back to bite me. Tbomb likes to ask me pointless questions just to get on my nerves. 

I think often of something I said to you when I was about 15. I remember the hurt I saw in your eyes, but didn't understand why you were hurt. I said: "I want to be more than just a mom." I'm so sorry I said this to you and I'm so sorry that I was so insensitive. I want to blame it on being young and dumb, but even then, I knew to take people's feelings into account. 

I understand now why it hurt so much. I understood before, but when Koda told me that she wants to be a mom when she grows up, it really hit me exactly why it hurt you. There is no such thing as "just a mom," all moms- work at home, stay at home, work away from home, homeschool- we are all so much more that "just mom." In that one title holds everything else- nurse, teacher, maid, confidante, friend, counselor, cook, and everything else. A mom does everything every day. Even when dad is very present and helps out all the time, mom is still the mortar of the family. 

I'm so sorry I said that to you in that way. I'm proud to be "just a mom." and I strive every day to be more like you- patient, creative, kind, wise, and to instill the wisdom in my children that you shared with me and my brothers each day. 

I also want to say that I cherish our friendship. I have always been able to talk to you about anything without judgement and you were always so open with me about everything. I hope to be that way with my own daughter. I really feel that is the reason I didn't get into trouble and go wild as a teenager. You talked with me and were honest with me about experiences and outcomes. Thank you for that! 

I love you and I am looking forward to many more years of a wonderful friendship with you that has blossomed so much over the last few decades. Thanks mom, for being "just a mom." I love you.

Love, 

Your Favorite Daughter!!!

Book Review: The Tuttle Twins Series

 Disclaimer: I received these books to review. All opinions are my own. 

My kids love to learn by listening to stories. When it comes to social studies, we do not use a traditional curriculum, we read books and do activities as our interests steer us in that direction. I think it helps the kids retain what they are learning. Plus, if they are interested, they focus better. 

We received the Tuttle Twins books and I was so very excited to start these with the kids. They are a conservative approach to American law and economics with a focus on freedom. They teach both the good and bad parts and what happens when it is taken to far (like when social help is taken too far).

We actually started reading these before we started our homeschool year back and read a couple at night with our devotional and bible question book. I really loved the way they teach from a child's point of view and not a teacher's. Tbomb and Snapper really engaged with the books and had a lot of questions. We had some really great conversations that spawned from reading together. 

How do you describe economics to a 7-year-old? Should your preteen care about the government? Are your kids learning about the free market in class?

For too long, parents have been at the mercy of professional curriculum developers to instruct their children. History is watered down, key principles omitted altogether, and time and attention given to things of lesser importance. Freedom-loving parents have long been left alone to shoulder the burden of educating their children and passing down a love of liberty.

While there are many books to teach these ideas to adults, there has been a profound void in the children’s literature market. The Tuttle Twins series close the gap, helping parents convey the principles of freedom to their kids in a fun way.

Each book in this series focuses on a different aspect of the principles of a free society: free markets, competition, individual rights, the non-aggression principle, personal responsibility, protectionism, and a variety of other issues—all boiled down to core concepts that children ages 5-10 can easily grasp.

Buy your own copy today for the children in your life. Understanding liberty is a gift that shouldn’t be reserved just for adults!

Even better?! Right now, there is a special back to (home)school offer that you cannot pass up!!

Just go to this page and add it to your cart!

 

Free Printable: Backpack List

 Being at home all the time has been strange. Sometimes I'm not in the mood to accomplish anything. I kind of do the mom thing and veg out. Other times, I've been in organizing/ project mode. That's been my thing in the last few weeks. I have tackled the kids' room, purged toys and stuffed animals, organized them and completely redone their beds. However, there are some projects I've been dying to tackle. 

I've been wanting to get our "on the go" stuff organized. I guess I haven't done it because we can't go anywhere and that is kind of depressing. However, I'm also wanting the kids to get excited about when this is all over. I've listed the things I want to do and I'm getting started. First, I needed a printable!

I'm going to print and fill these out and then laminate them. I'm going to hang them with their backpacks and let them work on packing them. Until now, I've always done that, but they will start. I read Snapper's list to her and I'm hoping that will also help her learn to read. 

I'm sharing them with you. Just right click on the image and save!

Enjoy!!

Back to School or Not Back to School? For Pre-School, What are the Options?

 Think Tank is Changing Early Education in Spite of and WITH Remote Learning

 

 

New York, August 19th, 2020

 

Struggling with whether your child is going to be able to go to school in the Fall? Are you worried about the quality of online academic learning? Do you want to have access to the most up to date and proven methods for teaching your child? Are you concerned about your child losing out on the most crucial intellectual development that occurs during the early childhood years? If physical attendance is not possible, how do you justify the cost of preschool?

 

Dawn Lesley Stewart founded Perry School in 2001. Through her ongoing research into Early Childhood Development, Dawn created Think Tank in 2008. Think Tank is a unique learning system that combines small group online academic instruction with one-on-one sessions with each individual child as well as parent/caregiver coaching.

 

If remote learning is the only option, educational technology has not been a strong point for preschoolers. Think Tank was originally created with the idea in mind to make it accessible not only to the current Perry School community, but to families outside the walls of the school as well—-through an online/Zoom based curriculum. In the era of online learning, Dawn offers these tips for “best practices:”

 

“At this age, focus is always a challenge, whether it is online or in person education. In your home, set up an area that is conducive to learning, ie., reduce distractions. Kids need structure. Set a schedule, set one up each day and stick to it. We really encourage movement as it is a type of play, very important and actually helps their focus.”

 

Since Think Tank’s inception, parental participation has always been key. The structure is such that the number of hours parents are involved in their child’s learning each week is minimal yet allows parents to be active participants in their child’s learning process. Think Tank’s parental involvement is not to have them help “teach”, but have them help their kids “understand”.

 

Parents are currently grappling with what makes sense for their child from a health and safety as well as an academic perspective. Throughout the current times, the goal is for children to thrive in a highly engaging online learning environment.

 

“Think Tank is a program that is unique to Perry School. The children who are enrolled in the program are being taught at a very high level—-children as young as two are learning 200 written words. Children who go through all four levels of Think Tank are much better prepared for their future education. Our “graduates” are getting into the best schools in New York. With our online presence, Think Tank grads will get into the best schools in the rest of the country as well.”

 

Think Tank has been years in the making, resulting in a multitude of success stories. Up until now, you had to go to Perry School in NYC to get this education. As a result of the lockdown and the challenges of Zoom meetings for preschoolers, Think Tank provides a customized live experience for part of the process, and a complete website with level specific lesson plans including videos and slideshows.

 

From a parent: “My 3yr old and 5yr old are learning to read via Zoom with Dawn and her Think Tank class, and already know over 120 vocabulary words using her ‘whole word’ method. She not only educates the children but she educates parents, grandparents and caregivers. This enables more flexibility for parents so that they can better juggle their own work. and effectively help their children learn remotely. The energy and excitement she brings truly makes learning something the children look forward to and they haven't missed a beat - even with the classes on Zoom.”

 

Online learning is the “new normal.” Children will be continuing to be educated this way until we have a vaccine.

 

For more information, go to www.dawnlesleystewartmethod.com.

 

About Dawn Lesley Stewart – Dawn is the Founder/Director of Perry School. She started Perry School in the West Village neighborhood of NYC in 2001. She has been at the forefront of early childhood education for 20 years. Dawn is thrilled to have the opportunity to impact more lives through the online Think Tank program. Think Tank provides high quality academic programming in which children thrive and it helps instill the joy of learning for a lifetime.

 

Get Your Kids Outside During the Pandemic!

 Cincinnati, Ohio based Jeff Alt, adventurer, teacher, and author of Get Your Kids Hiking and the young adult national park time travel series, The Adventures of Bubba Jones, is on a mission to help parents and kids of all ages get outside and stay in shape having fun safely during the pandemic. 

Researchers agree that the risk of COVID transmission is lower with outdoor recreation activities. Scientific evidence proves that time spent in nature increases your creativity, helps prevent depression, improves your overall health, and is a great way to spend time together. 

Why are walking, hiking and camping among the best activities you can do during the COVID19 Pandemic?

Due to the pandemic, students, parents, and teachers are having to study and work remotely indoors this fall and maybe into the winter.  But excessive screen time is being associated with increased childhood obesity, mental health issues, and even social skill problems. On top of that, many sport activities have been cancelled this fall due to the COVID pandemic. 

All of this points to the importance and the advantages of walking, hiking and camping as a great way to stay healthy physically and mentally.

How do you stay safe from COVID19 exposure while camping and hiking?

• Stay local!  Explore your local area. Avoid popular trails and destinations.  Take the trail less traveled. Hike and camp at times and days when the park is not busy. 
• Be prepared! Bring your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer and travel wipes.  Restroom facilities may not be open and this will allow you to be self-sufficient and sanitary.
• Keep your distance! When you encounter others, step off the trail and let them pass.  Make sure to stay six feet apart and don a mask during the close encounter.  Turn your face away from others and don’t stop and chat!
• Be extra cautious in public restrooms. Wear your mask if you go in a park restroom. If you touch a surface, wash and sanitize and keep your hands away from your mouth. Wash your hands and use your travel wipes and hand sanitizer frequently.

Planning for Outdoor Recreation and Fall Family Hikes

A big part of making a fall hiking and camping adventure fun and safe is to stay warm, dry, hydrated and fed.  Fall can offer some brilliant leaf peeping opportunities, but you may also experience adverse weather conditions. Here are a few tips:

• Plan ahead. Study your area and identify the best places to go in advance.
• Bundle Up for the Season and Stay Dry: Make sure everyone is wearing layered non-cotton clothing.  Pack along hats, mittens, and a waterproof outer shell.
• Map, Compass & GPS: Bring a topo map, compass and GPS (if you have GPS) and know how to use them. Know how to signal for help if you’re lost (three loud whistle bursts, bright colored clothing item placed in open clearing; etc.).
• Bring a hiking stove and some Cocoa: Pack along a hiking stove, hot cocoa and soup packets. Most kids never turn down a cup of piping hot cocoa after a cold romp in the snow and this will also help warm your inner core.
• Pack Extra Snacks & Enough Water. You burn more calories in cold weather and the added snacks will keep your kids energized. Be sure to bring your kids favorite foods to encourage everyone to eat. Stop often for water breaks.

Start’em Young: Ergonomically designed baby carriers make it easy and fun to carry your infant and toddler with you wherever you hike. Walk to your favorite park or beach.  Stop often and let your little one explore. Make your hike a routine your kids will look forward to.

Let the Kids Lead!: Follow the leader! Hike at your child’s pace and distance. Whatever your child takes interest in, stop and explore that bug, leaf, or rock with them. Tell them about the animals, rocks, trees, and flowers. Getting to the destination is less important than making sure your kids have so much fun, they will want to go again and again.

Count Down to the Adventure: Psych the kids up with pictures, videos, and highlights of the places they will go and the things they will see. Use books, magazines, maps, and the Internet, especially park websites and videos showing the spectacular wildlife and locations they will see. 

Bring Water and Food Kids Love: Hand out needed extra energy snacks and water as needed on the trail. Pack their favorite snacks and bring plenty of water. Stop often for a drink and a snack. 

Pack Fun Items: Let young children fill their adventure pack with a bug catcher, magnifying glass, binoculars, a camera, a map and compass, whistle, or flashlight. Let your little adventurer take ownership and pack a few items of his own; even if it’s not hiking-related. 

Play Games and Bring a Friend: Play I Spy using your surroundings as you walk along. Create your own scavenger hunt in search of animals, plants, and views along the way. Make up rhymes and sing songs as you walk. Pack a plant and animal identification guide for your older child. Let your social butterfly bring a friend, with parental permission. Intrigue your computer-savvy child with the high-tech hiking gadgets like a GPS, headlamp, flashlights, and pedometers. Use your GPS and take your kids on a geocaching adventure. 

Suit Up in Comfort, Style, and the Latest Technology

• Footwear: Make sure everyone is wearing trail shoes or boots with a sturdy sole. A Vibram sole with a waterproof breathable liner is preferred. Wear non-cotton, moisture-wicking, synthetic or wool socks.
• Clothing: Dress for the weather! Wear non-cotton synthetic, wool & fleece clothes and dress in layers. Wear multipurpose clothes like pants that zip off into shorts or shirts with roll-up sleeves. Pack a waterproof breathable rain parka. Dress for the season with a fleece hat & gloves or a hat with a wide brim for sun protection.
• Packs: Get age- and size-appropriate backpacks that fit each hiker comfortably with hydration hose capability.
• Trekking Poles: Get a pair of adjustable, collapsible poles with an ergonomically designed handle for each person.
• Fresh, Clean Water: You can get a hydration hose system for your pack or just use bottles. Disinfect wild water using hi-tech portable treatment water systems such as a UV wand or micro-straining filter.
• Communication: Bring a smartphone so you can take lots of pictures and if there’s connectivity, email to family or upload to your online blog or Facebook page. Carry a GPS unit to keep you located on the trail and for geocaching.
• Other Must Haves: Suntan lotion and bug repellent containing Deet or Picaridin; First aid kit that accommodates the whole group & first aid knowledge to go along with the kit. Bring a compass & map and brush up on how to use them. Learn how to make a shelter to keep you warm and dry. Keep matches and a lighter in a dry place and know how to make a fire to keep warm. Carry a whistle and a signal mirror in case you get lost. Pack a survival knife with a locking blade. Bring a headlamp flashlight, extra batteries, 50 feet of rope or twine, and always have several feet of duct tape for that unexpected repair.

Jeff’s Newest Book

The Adventures of Bubba Jones: Time Traveling Through Grand Canyon National Park was just released on August 3^rd, 2020.  It is the fourth book in time traveling national park series designed for young adults ages 8 to 12, which combines education with entertainment in a thrill packed journey through time loaded with fun facts about history, ecology and science about the park and its inhabitants.

Tips for Balancing Remote Work and Parenting Full Time

 Thanks Bunny Studio for these tips!

1. Keep things flexible
If you have the ability, consider getting creative with your work schedule to base your hours around your kids’ schedules. Giving yourself the flexibility to work differently during this time is crucial to maintaining work-life balance. 

2. Establish a kid-free zone
There will be times when you need to hunker down and complete work items free from distractions, which is why it is important to establish an area of the house where you can separate yourself from your family. 

3. Clearly communicate with your family
If you have a partner who is also working from home and sharing kid duties with you, it is crucial to communicate the times you can and cannot help out during the day. Setting these expectations will allow for a much smoother daily routine.

It is also important to communicate with your children if they are old enough. Set expectations for when there will be breaks in your day that you can check-in, whether it be a quick snack break, lunch, or even hourly check-ins. 

4. Don’t overwork
During this time, it can be easy to feel like we need to push ourselves to work extra hours, but the reality is that taking the time to unplug and reset each day is critical to success as a parent and an employee. 

A Tough Assignment: Back-to-School Prep Amidst COVID-19

 National Back to School Prep Day happens on August 15 each year and captures the exciting new beginning that is the start of a new school year. Do you have all the supplies that you need? Is the homework or home learning station set up? Now’s the time to be thinking about this stuff.

For many of us, this coming school year will start on a different foot, with the pandemic meaning that there’ll be lots of virtual classes and hybrid learning.

Whatever your circumstances it’s important to prepare adequately and be organized so that everyone is set up for a successful school year, and that’s why National Back To School Prep Day is here. The education experts at Brainly, the world’s largest online learning and homework help community, have a few sage tips to help you further prepare. Don't worry, you’ve got this!

1. Talk to your child about how this school year will be different. Most kids already know their lives have changed and the start of this school year will be drastically different, so be upfront about the situation and empower your child to make smart choices and do their part to help stop the spread. Things like handwashing, social distancing etiquette, and mask-wearing should be discussed. Having an open conversation and presenting all the facts will make both you and your child feel less anxious.
    
2. Create a learning command center. Before the first day of school, spend some time creating a space in your home for your child to study or do homework. If you don't have a spare area, or if you have multiple children who want to work together, create a way to store school supplies in a cart or container that's portable and can be used at the kitchen table or anywhere. This back-to-school space or station will store everything from school laptops to pencils and crayons, plus it can also house your child's calendar of activities and assignments, backpack, permission slips or papers your child brings home for you, and more.
    
3. Build excitement and inspire positivity. While getting mentally prepared for this back-to-school season may be a particularly tough assignment for many people, it still deserves to be celebrated. Consider having a back-to-school themed TV marathon, creating an end-of-summer countdown with construction paper loops, or planning out a special breakfast for the first day. All of these small things can make a big difference in inspiring positivity and excitement for kids. And don’t forget to take those traditional adorable first day of school photos-- even if it’s only virtual classes they’re returning to for now!
    
4. Make face masks fun (and familiar). For those returning to in-person classes, have a mask for every day for your child, and make sure they like the mask and feel comfortable wearing it for extended periods of time. Cloth face masks come in countless patterns and colors, and kids can use them to express their personal style while staying safe. Pro tip: it's also smart to make sure kids have an extra mask in a plastic baggie every day just in case something happens to the first one.
    
5. Develop a sleep routine now. Getting up early for school can be jarring for middle and high school students who have been used to sleeping in all summer. Start adjusting their snooze schedules little by little about a week or two before school starts.
    
6. Meal prep healthy lunches and snacks. Getting organized ahead of schedule makes all the difference in the world. There are tons of online resources for quick, easy, healthy snacks and lunch ideas for kids of all ages (and adults!) such as MealBoard, LaLa Lunchbox, or Cozi. Make things easier on yourself by prepping for the coming week on Sundays and having everything conveniently stored and ready-to-go in the fridge to help streamline school days.
    
7. Tech tools to enhance learning. Students who are starting out the first part of their fall semester online may find themself needing some extra help on assignments, and luckily there are plenty of safe online resources they can utilize. Brainly is a social online learning and homework help community that brings all the benefits of in-person study groups into a digital format. Dictionary.com is perfect for students needing to look up definitions for vocabulary words, synonyms or antonyms, as well as wanting to expand their personal word bank with a word of the day. myHomework Student Planner is a digital resource where students can input due dates of assignments, homework deadlines, and reminders for almost anything under the sun to help them stay on top of their work and feel confident in class.
    
8. Bake in time for social interactions. Some students who are starting virtual classes may be feeling a little down about not getting to see their friends, but there are plenty of ways for them to still socialize with their friends. Setting up Zoom calls with friends is another great idea to ensure your kids aren’t missing out on time with friends and distant family. Encourage your kid to incorporate games into their Zoom calls. For example, he or she can use this no-frills Charades Generator to pick a word to act out in front of the camera, then see who in their audience can guess!
    
9. Hand sanitizer on hand. For parents of kids returning to physical schools: Make sure they have hand sanitizer readily available anytime they may need it. A mini hand sanitizer bottle on a keychain works great for backpacks, and you can also use velcro to attach a small bottle of hand-sanitizer to the inside of lunch boxes. Sure, there will likely be plenty of hand sanitizer at schools, but why not make sure they always have it right when they might need it.

That first day back at school is always a special feeling. The summer holidays feel like a lifetime when you’re young and going back to school can feel like it has come a bit out of the blue. Now is a great chance to prepare your kids for what lays ahead and get them excited. It’s even more important this year as you may need to let them know about any new things that they should expect as a result of the COVID pandemic. 

Good luck and cheers to National Back to School Prep Day on Aug. 15th! 

ITP: What Is It And How I Changed Our Lives

In March, 2019, my son came to me with a sore leg, right by his groin. My husband and I both thought that he had played too hard and possibly pulled a muscle. We told him we would keep an eye on it. A week goes by and all of a sudden it was worse. I called and made an appointment with the doctor. We figured for some reason he had a swollen lymph node. He also had some red dots all over his legs and some on the rest of his body. 

By the next morning, it was so swollen and sore, he could barely walk. But, he didn't want me to carry him either because of the pain. As soon as the doctor saw his spots, he sent us for blood work. (luckily in the office). Turns out, those spots were a sign of his platelets being low. (Platelets are what causes our blood to clot). 

His platelets were at 1 thousand and should be at least 150 thousand. Then, the doctor tells me to keep him from doing anything that could get him injured, to stay in town (not go home) and he would call me shortly, after speaking with a hematologist. 

We were with my dad that day, so after I called my hubby and told everyone what was going on, my dad decided to treat Tbomb to a milkshake for breakfast (he'd already had a pop-tart that morning, but the kid was scared) while we waited for the doctor to call me back. 

That didn't take long. I figured it would be in the afternoon when he called, but it was less than an hour. He informed me that the children's hospital had a bed ready. What? My baby boy had to go into the hospital?

We grabbed some things in Walmart, went by the house to see dad, grandparents, and grab a few things and went to the hospital. After getting him in a wheelchair and getting past security, a nurse met us at the entrance to the children's hospital and got him checked it. 

The crazy was just beginning. 

View this post on Instagram

He's a trooper. Hopefully this dose of #ivig will do the trick and we'll go home tomorrow. #pleasepray #childrenshospitalofgreenville #itpawareness

A post shared by Cari | Chief This Handler💭 (@cari_on) on Apr 7, 2019 at 3:25pm PDT

Soon, the hematologist came by and told me that Tbomb has ITP. That they aren't completely sure what causes it, but that the antibodies attack the platelets. They are going to start him on an IVIG infusion.

Long story short, he had a reaction to the IVIG, so they ended up giving him 2 doses, but moving it slowly. It didn't work- they ended up putting him on steroids to suppress his immune system. After 5 days, his platelets finally rose to 9 thousand, still a long way from 150 thousand. 

They released him with strict instructions to not let him do anything that could cause him to get hurt (no hopper, no scooter, no bike, running, or even climbing into his loft bed. I was told that if he hit his head to get him to the ER. 

Over the next several weeks, he had appointments at the Children's Cancer Clinic (that's where the hematologist is) at least once a week, sometimes twice- with his blood platelets checked each time. Eventually (July), his platelets got back to normal, but we still had to be careful for a few more months. Even now, if he does hit his head, we have to watch very closely. 

This isn't over. There is no cure- he is in "remission." 

Basically, the doctors have no clue what causes someone's antibodies to attack the platelets in the case of ITP. With Tbomb, for various reasons, they do believe it is genetic. This means that it will never go away. Anytime his immune system is triggered, he runs the risk of the ITP "flaring" up. 

Even his allergies, which his are pretty bad, can cause this. So, he has to be on allergy medicine every day. I also keep him on vitamin C to help his body fight anything that does try to come up. 

I just thank God that we got him to the doctor and that now I know the symptoms- I didn't even know this was a disease. 

Moral of this story and so many others: trust your gut. If you feel your child needs to see a doctor, take them! If Tbomb had fallen and hit his head, he could have had bleeding on his brain and with no platelets, we could have lost him so easily. 

Getting Your Kids Ready for the School Year Amidst the Pandemic

Image via Pexels

Unless you already homeschooled your kids before the pandemic, you probably found yourself thrust into a whole new world once schools started closing earlier this spring. Most schools chose to stay closed for the remainder of the academic year, but many districts will allow in-person classes to resume in the fall. For many families, the idea of going back to school will be just as hard as adopting homeschooling, but the resources below can help. 

Safety Measures for Your Kids 

You’ve probably had to field a lot of pandemic-related questions and concerns from your children already. If your children’s school will be reopening, the information below can give you and your kids peace of mind. 

• The CDC currently suggests that students and teachers wear masks when possible. 

• Make sure to go over the importance of social distancing again. 

• Remind your kids of the proper etiquette for coughing and sneezing.

Prepping Your Kids for the School Year 

With the new school year on the horizon, it’s important to get your kids prepared. Keep these things in mind when getting your kids ready. 

• If your school will continue distance learning, brush up on the best practices. 

• Easing your kids back into a school routine might require a different approach.  

• Making child-sized face masks will make it easier for your kids to stay safe. 

• Follow Cari On Living’s advice to clean and sanitize your kids’ backpacks before school starts. 

• If your regular after school program isn’t available, have an alternative plan in place. 

Keeping Your Home Safe

For many parents, there’s a concern about kids bringing germs into the home after a day of school. These steps can help prevent the spread of infection. 

• Sticking with virtual playdates can still limit your family’s chance of infection, even if your kids see their friends at school. 

• As a defense against germs, have your kids wash their hands after getting home.  

• Have a plan for washing your kids’ face masks, if they wear them. 

• If anyone in your home gets sick, do a COVID-19-specific cleaning session afterwards. 

As a parent, the COVID-19 pandemic probably created a number of new and unexpected challenges for your family. Going back to school may be difficult, but following these safety tips will give both you and your kids more peace of mind. 

Day Trip Ideas For The Social Distancing Era

Covid. Ugh. The word alone stresses me. 

My poor kids, because of their immune issues, are still stuck at home. We were going to camp, but the campgrounds are crowded. So, we have been trying to find something so the kids can get out. Luckily, we have a huge yard and they have plenty of things to do. They are great kids. They haven't complained since. Even when the concert we had backstage passes to was postponed, they understood. We want to do something to reward them for being so awesome.

We've come up with some ideas and I'm going to share them with you. The prep will likely involve some online research, smart planning, and patience. However, in this crazy time, I'm sure the whole family will benefit. 

These ideas will keep you from having to worry about policies at different locations- you can put that all into your own hands. 

1. Visit historical sites. Get online and research sites in your area. I'm sure you know a few, but I'm sure there are even more that you don't know about. Even better if these sites are outdoors and do not require guides. Learn about the location so you can share fun facts with the kids. 

2. Geocaching

3. Scenic drive with a picnic. We made our kids stop using tablets on the drive last year and their amazement at the scenery was contagious. They noticed things we didn't. Just drive around and look at the sites. Pack a picnic and enjoy the day with your family. 

4. Ask around about little known "watering holes." You might find the next great swimming area that no one knows about. 

5. Go for a day hike. I've never been on a crowded hiking trail. If you are near the mountains, check out the waterfalls in your area. 

6. Drive through Safaris are all over the country and you can even feed some of the animals from your car. A simple search should show you the options in your area. 

7. Berry picking is nice fun, outdoor activity that shouldn't be too crowded. 

8. Look up and visit historical sites in your hometown. Most people don't pay much attention to these, but you would be amazed at the rich history each town holds. 

9. Take a scenic route. Going somewhere you usually do? Look up a more scenic route on google maps, give yourself some extra time, and enjoy yourself. 

10. If these do not work for you, but you what to experience something different, try out "virtual trips." There are zoos, aquariums, factories, and more that are offering a virtual alternative to a tour. This might be the option for you (or your school or homeschool). 

Here are some tips to keep your family safe and still have fun. 

1. Be sure to call ahead for hours and to check on safety precautions being taken.

2. Even if you do not plan on being around people, take along masks and hand sanitizer, just in case. You don't want to find something fun to do and then not be able to do it because you are ill-prepared. 

3. I always carry a mini can of Lysol. I suggest it for all now (if you can find it for sale).

4. Pack a day trip bag with snacks, swimsuits, towels, and maybe an extra change of clothes. You'll be prepared if you come across great lake access you want to enjoy.

5. Prepare, but don't stress. When you stress, it takes away the fun. 

3. 

50+ Hobby Ideas For Kids

My kids both have birthdays coming up. Both of them are in September, so I start about now planning out the birthdays so I'm not rushing to get both done. I casually asked what they were wanting for their birthdays. Well, I was really curious because they haven't been anywhere and they only watch DVDs, so they never see commercials. I really had no idea what they would want. They honestly don't ask for much and have a ton of toys. Everything they mentioned was toys but they had a hard time really coming up with stuff- besides a general idea of unicorns, dinosaurs, and doll stuff. Nothing specific. 

That really got me thinking. They are turning 7 and 10. They need hobbies. Something they can grow with and that gives them a creative outlet. They love drawing and making things, but I felt they needed something more specific. There were certain parameters. It couldn't be something we would have to buy a lot of equipment for or that needed a lot of space. I also wanted them to choose something they could do at home and possibly take along for a trip. Another rule- nothing electronic- they already use electronics enough. 

I told them to come up with something they would like to build on. Tbomb decided he wants to learn more about drawing and after talking with Snapper, we decided she would try scrapbooking- she likes to make collages, although she doesn't call them that. Hers will likely be more of a smash book.

The cool thing about hobbies is that children can always learn something new. If it is an outdoor hobby, they can be learning about it when the weather doesn't permit. Your parameters do not have to be the same as ours. 

I decided to share some ideas that I came up with while helping them to decide on something. 

1. Sketching

2. Scrapbooking/ Smash booking 

3. Painting

4. Crochet/ Kitting

5. Sewing

6. Quilting

7. Jewelry Making

8. Coding

9. Playing an instrument

10. Journaling

11. Learning Edible/ Medicinal Plants

12. Survival Skills

13. Learning a sport

14. Lettering/ Calligraphy

15. Wood Burning (if age appropriate)

16. Writing (poetry, short stories, books)

18. Learning about history or countries

19. Reading

20. Knot Tieing

21. Hula Hooping

22. Cross Stitch

23. Gardening

24. Bible Study

25. Macrame

26. Cooking/ Baking

27. Cake Decorating

28. Pen Pal

29. Coloring- some of those pages can take days

30. Word Search/ Cross Words

31. Magic 

32. Geocaching

33. Building Websites/ blogging

34. Hair Styling

35. Photography (start with an old cell phone)

36. Animation

37. Digital Art

38. 3D Models

39. Puzzles

40. Basket Making

41. Fashion Design

42. Origami

43. Learn a language

44. Sculpture

45. Rock/ Gemstone collection and identification

46. Martial Arts

47. Yoga

48. Wood Carving

49. Paper Mache

50. Pottery

51. Duct Tape Crafts

52. Logic Puzzles

53. Rock Art

I will be happy to add to this list as I discover more things!

I spent the day finding things to get them started on their hobbies. I think these are going to be great birthday gifts! Here is what I found. It was all pretty inexpensive- to get us started. If they stick with it, investing will happen I'm sure. (none of these links are affiliate or sponored- just what I bought). 

Sketch Bliss (Five Below)

Darice Storage Box (Amazon)

Art For Kids: Drawing (Amazon)

Just My Style Scrapbook & Cards Kit (Wal-Mart)

Pretty Pens (I'll just pick some up- probably Dollar Tree)

Random Tapes & Supplies

I have things in mind that will be added to their kits after they receive them like their clipboards (they always forget they have), stencils, and other crafting goodies that will add to the experience. 

I'm very excited for this!!