Many moms I know are quite active in their child’s school activities, extra-currlcular activities and social lives.  So as we are approaching Parent-Teacher conferences next week, I’m sure some of them will be well prepared with specific topics to address. 

Let’s face it, the amount of time allotted for these meetings just doesn’t cut it.  Fifteen minutes to discuss a child’s academic progress and social health just doesn’t cut it, regardless of how well your child is doing.  

I knew my kids would eventually get a teacher that we found to be less than pleasant.  After all, my oldest is still only in 3rd grade, and I remember many of my own teachers from elementary school who were just downright mean.  So the fact that we are now dealing with this reality, I have found myself struggling a few times to keep my composure and remain diplomatic.

Today we picked up my boys’ school supply kits that we ordered through the school earlier in the year.  I love the idea of this option because it not only means I don’t have to drag them out in search of supplies but almost everyone has the same looking items, so I don’t have to hear how “Alan’s folders are so much cooler than mine”.

What I love the most though is now that my oldest son is in 3rd grade, an agenda book was included in his kit. 

A few months ago I wrote about my mixed emotions over my youngest son going to kindergarten this coming school year.  I can’t believe I am already seeing that first day in sight as we are now only a week away from it. 

I knew I’d be emotional as this day approached.  But I’m even more nervous after just reading that a kindergarten student in another state fell asleep on his bus and went unnoticed until he started to wander the bus company parking lot.  What made it worse is that it was a very hot day, and the bus driver didn’t do a walk-through after returning from his route, so this potentially injurious situation could have been avoided.  

Two weeks and counting before the new school year begins, at least for the kids in our area.  Here are a few tips that work for us to help make mornings run a little smoother:

As we get just a few short weeks away from the start of a new school year, my kids aren’t the only ones dreading it.  My source of contention isn’t because I’ll miss them (although I will very much), it’s because of the exhausting homework sessions we’ll need to endure for another 9 straight months.

Every year after the 4th of July I feel like time flies and the next thing we know, summer is over.  Here are a few tips that have helped me stay well organized and prepared for the big day without cutting into the last few weeks of summer fun:

One of the things I wanted to make a priority when I quit my full time job was to volunteer in both of my sons’ classrooms.  So I considered myself very fortunate to work with my oldest son’s class weekly and my preschooler every other week.  My range of duties included individual reading with the preschoolers, and group & individual math lessons with the second grade class. 

I went to a kindergarten parent meeting a few nights ago at the school my soon-to-be 5 year old will be attending next August (along with his 3rd grade brother).   We’ve had so much going on lately that have kept us busy that I am just now realizing that my “baby” will be going to the big school, and I’m not going to be any more ready for this event come August than I am today.  It’s starting to hit me since after this Friday, he is no longer a preschooler.