Read the rest of the story...

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time picking out gifts for my children’s teachers.  It’s a rare occurrence for inspiration to strike early and I’m usually left scrambling the night before the class party.  What makes it such a struggle for me is that I really want to find a gift they will enjoy using and not think is impersonal.  While gift cards are a great option, how can you be sure your kids teacher really does like Starbucks?  Read the rest of the story...

I am usually a pretty easy going person without a lot of ill will toward others, but that changed last week. I was ready to strangle the person who decided automatic flushing toilets were a great idea for an elementary school. What child doesn’t love very loud toilets that go off seemingly on a whim? (If this is a new topic to you, you should know that the sensors for automatic toilets in public places are usually set too high to notice children, so the toilet often flushes while a kid sits on it- terrifying!) My first grade daughter, a normally happy, well adjusted kid, was reduced to tears a few times over her absolute refusal to use the bathroom at school. That wasn’t much of a problem when she was a half-day kindergartner, but now she’s at school for 7 hours which is asking a lot of her bladder.  Read the rest of the story...

I was relieved when my kids reported they would need to bring their own snack to school each day this year.  I resolved to send freshness everyday, following Dr. Sears’ The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood list of amazingly nutritious, energy providing snacks – a complex carbohydrate with a protein.  I started with so many great ideas: ham and turkey roll-ups with cheese cubes, mini whole wheat bagels with cream cheese, tortillas with peanut butter, trail mix.  I even made peanut butter banana chocolate chip bread with whole wheat pastry flour.  Read the rest of the story...