The clock is ticking and school is just around the corner. Then Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the birthdays and anniversaries in between. This is where the summer roller coaster ride is sitting at the very top and we’re about to take a plunge.

Take a deep breath—and hope your seat belt will hold you in!!

Let the games begin.

Getting ready for school does not have to be a hot mess. With a li’l preparation and some quick tips you can be well prepared for whatever hits you.  Here’s a li’l start.

Ever since they started pushing them on the shelves I’ve been stocking up on pencils and erasers and note pads. When they’re 99cents and 5 for a dollar, you’d be a fool not to.  Stock up throughout the year instead of waiting to the last minute.

Shopping does not have to be a fiasco. Mom, you’re not wearing it so don’t worry about it. If your kid feels comfortable in it, let it go. They are the ones who have to be in class all day, not you; you want them to feel comfortable and confident. Encourage your kids to share accessories and to take proper care of their clothes so they last.

Don’t let bed time be an issue and start today. School is now close enough where kids can start getting used to having a bedtime routine. It’s good for the learning process and healthy for their growth. Start weening them off the games and the TV. Late night gaming and TV watching needs to get capped and moved to weekends only.

Scheduling is always the most difficult.  Sit down with each kid or hand them a piece of paper for them to jot down what it is they have planned for after school events they want to participate in.  Start setting aside money for the stuff they’ll need ahead of time so when it’s that time, you’re ready. Find out what the other parents are doing and how you can pull together and make the school year easier for everyone.

Remember it doesn’t have to be a battle if you have a great head start.

Next week is not going to be pretty. I start a new job and getting out of the house by 7:30 a.m. is going to be, um, a challenge.

You see, for the last 8 weeks or so I haven’t been working outside of the home (although I believe that job searching does count as hard labor) and due to the change in my schedule, my daughter’s schedule has changed also. We’ve grown accustomed to sleeping in a little and playing a lot before we actually have to do anything productive in the morning.  And on the two days that she does go to preschool, there’s a lot of whining and crying about leaving the toys, the house, and most of all, me.

Don’t get me wrong, the fact that my daughter is so sad about not spending every second with me is heartwrenching, and maybe just a little bit of an ego boost as a parent (obviously, I can’t be all bad if she doesn’t want to be away from me…even if I won’t let her eat jelly beans for breakfast), but somehow I’ve got to ease us both back into a regular routine, just like many of you whose children are taking on a new school year after a summer of more relaxed days.

How do you gear your kids up for a new routine?

Welcome to new blogger Rhaea Miller! Here is her first post:

As the oldest of 6 children—over a 22 year spread—I fancied myself an expert at childcare. I’d spent my years helping to care for my siblings, and I was entirely confident that I’d be a good parent. I feared nothing.

Here comes the twist. I was the oldest of six girls. My first child was a son.

Turns out, I was a wealth of information regarding little girls. I knew about bows, dresses, and playing with dolls. About hair, makeup, and staying clean when we ate. I knew that it made perfect sense to want to wear a tu-tu to school. Or that it was worth crying when chocolate ice-cream landed on one’s shoe. That ‘you are no longer my sister’ was the ultimate punishment to someone who wouldn’t share Barbie shoes.

However.

I discovered I knew nothing about boys. This should have been clear to me the first time I changed my son’s diaper and got shot in the eye with a forceful stream of potty. If it wasn’t clear that first time, it should have been the second or third.

I grasped the little differences in caring for boys vs. girls quickly out of necessity (see above pee in the eye incident). But as Avery got older, things he did made no sense to me. They still don’t. Once he began to talk, I started a list of things I thought I would never hear…. Here is a sampling:

“Mom, that toilet water tastes exactly like real water.” (said in a public restroom in NYC)

“Ruby just threw up all over my face.” (said when his sister, Ruby, threw up all over his face)

“When my brain tells me to try new foods, I’m just going to tell it to be quiet.” (Okay, this isn’t really about being a boy but rather a picky eater. Still funny.)

“I accidentally tore all the pages out of that library book.” (I still don’t know the real story behind this)

At first, I questioned my confidence in parenting. Maybe I wasn’t—gasp!—as good at this as I thought. But my second child was a girl, as was my third. As they have gotten older, I have understood them. I get why my youngest insists on wearing brown sweatpants under her sparkle dress (although one wants beauty, one also needs comfort), or why my middle child adds a 2 inch curly spiral to her ‘R’ when signing her name. I get it. I lived it.

Much of what my son does, I will not live. I will never let a praying mantis ride around on my head, nor will I lick ketchup off the table at Wendy’s. I won’t let a caterpillar crawl all over my body nor will I get poison ivy in the crotch. I won’t resist eating chicken but willingly ingest sand. I won’t name a turtle Oscar and feed him blood worms from my fingertips.

However, I will live late night snuggles with a boy who hugs everyone. I will listen to a detailed story about a butterfly hatching from its chrysalis and wipe his tears as the butterfly sails away. I will be the mom that lets her son keep bugs in the house and quietly scrubs grass stains out of well worn pants.

Nine years into it, I’ve reasoned that I don’t need to understand why my son does what he does. The ridiculousness of it makes life interesting. Without his antics, I’d have far less to talk about. What surprises of parenting have changed your perspective on what is important?

Relationships in a childcare setting are important, but sibling relationships are special. Siblings are often a child’s first playmates. As childcare providers, we try to help encourage a healthy relationship between siblings as well as others in our care. When introducing an infant who has a sibling in childcare, I have the older child help me with the responsibilities of caring for their siblings. It could be as simple as picking up their bottle or getting their blanket or even hold the bottle straight. They never take full responsibility, such as changing diapers, lifting, and feeding, but “helping” gives them a sense of belonging and attachment.

Sibling feelings are important and should not be ignored. Siblings often feel they are not being treated fairly and want to be treated equally. Remember to listen to a child’s words; when they say “that isn’t fair,” they are really saying that they want an extra hug or a little more attention. Give each child a chance to shine in their accomplishments. A positive, healthy and nurturing relationship is imperative to produce a joyful adult relationship later. The sibling relationship will be their life’s most influential and the longest relationship that they will have in their lifetime. As childcare providers, we play a crucial role in teaching children about relationships. What do you feel is important in teaching your child about relationships?

This summer so far has been a whirlwind—my first year 100% working at my own business; we have family (my brother and my nephew) who have moved in with us temporarily as they get back on their feet; and summer is my busiest time. It’s been… well, crazy.  My son Ares will be going into first grade in a few weeks, so it is also his first summer off of school.  Yesterday we were going in the house, Sean (my husband) to make dinner and me to do some editing on the computer, as the kids were filling up squirt guns for a water fight.  I stopped in the doorway of the kitchen and literally felt my heels sliding me to a stop, like in the cartoons.  “We’re going out for that water fight,” I told Sean, and he stopped mid dish and turned off the sink. “Yes,” was all he said; he knew at that moment just like I did that dinner could wait a half hour.  I’d been working all day, important stuff of course, but not as important as that water fight would be.

The day after, still laughing

My Bean

The water fight was epic. We’ll be talking about it still at Christmas.

I try to remember to do little things if the big things in the whirlwind of day-to-day aren’t always so easy to manage.  Dancing to Lady Gaga in the kitchen—Ares knows all the words to Telephone and knows how to set it on repeat on my iphone—or stopping mid errand at the side of the road to check out some sites I remember from when I was little.  Fifteen minutes, a half hour, an hour…

Summer is almost over, one more blink and it’ll be gone, school will be starting up and I try not to look at how fast it’s gone but instead take a moment to remember the little moments I’ve stolen from the whirlwind.  Maybe we only have a few more weeks, but I’m looking forward to at least one more water fight, one more road side stop.  There is always a little more time to be found in the whirlwind.

I remember doing this when I was six

Paul Bunyan Irish Hills (and Ares)

Summer’s winding down, school’s almost here and while these always feel like the best of times, sometimes these last days of summer can come with a few headaches.

Over the summer I set up a message board thru my email contacts for us moms to share questions and concerns I call it E-notes. Recently a friend ask me this…

Hey E-

What do you think? When my son stays out at a friend’s overnight I make sure to pick him up early the next morning, but when my son’s friends stay over, sometimes I end up having to drop them off late the next day. Is there a “right time” for overnight stay pick-ups?

My reply:

Wow! Hey that happens to me all the time–lol. What I do is when the boys are on the phone or texting to make those over night plans, I always sneak in a quick “ask them what time they need me to pick you up” or vise verse. Nine times out of ten I’ll get a response and if not, after everyone’s had breakfast the next morning I let the boys call their parents and let them know they’ll be heading home soon. I always make sure someone will be there ’cause I never want to drop  someone off if there’s no one at home.

Good luck girl, and next time the kids are spending the night out, give me a call.

E-

I had never stopped to think about the basic etiquette of summer till just then, so I put together what I consider just some old-fashion “do’s and don’ts”  from when I was growing up:

Behave yourself. That was always the first and last thing my mother would throw at me heading out the door. Behave myself. I knew exactly what it meant, too.

Don’t ask for anything. I always knew better than to ask for stuff, I always knew that when we went out with our friends  and their parents it was not a good idea to ask them if they could “buy me” something– big no-no.

Follow the rules. Whatever rules my friend had to follow, I had to follow. If my friend’s parents made him go to bed at 9 o’clock, I was going to bed at 9 o’clock. I’ve had plenty of kids who stay over stay up way past 1 and 2 o’clock in the morning because “they get to at home.”

Clean up after yourself. We were always taught to clean up after ourselves and be helpful and polite. I remember always helping my friends clean their room or washing my own plate after we ate just so as to help out around the house. I was always taught it was the “right” thing to do.

What are some of YOUR “do’s and don’ts” or some “rules” that you  think all families should live by?

When I’m building in the block room, please don’t say I’m JUST Playing.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play about balance and shapes.

Who knows, I maybe an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies, don’t get the idea I’m JUST playing.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint, or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay, please don’t let me hear you say “she’s JUST playing.”  For, you see, I’m learning as I play.  I’m expressing myself and being creative.

I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me in a chair “reading” to an imaginary audience, please don’t laugh and think I’m JUST playing.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs or packing my pockets with choice things I find, don’t pass it off as JUST play.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some “plaything” at my school, please don’t feel the time is wasted in play. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is JUST play.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.

I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body, please don’t say I’m JUST playing.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play.  I’m learning how my body works.

I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I did at school today, and I say, “I JUST Played”, please don’t misunderstand me.  For, you see, I’m learning as I play.  I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.  I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I’m a child and my work is play.

With summer finally in our face,we’ve taken some extreme measures at times just to stay cool. From enjoying a cool walk by the water at Burr pond,to having the wind blown in our hair as we cruise out of town to enjoy the A/C at Chucky Cheese, Ace and I have got every place nailed down. So here’s our top ten Summer favorite things to do:

1. Going to the park. Number one thing to do by far is go to the park. We have been to almost every park there is and we always enjoy finding new ones. They are free and relaxing and always worth taking the extra time it takes to drive far out to find a good one.
2. Swimming in the pool. This year we’ve so far spent the most time at the pool, and Ace is steadily learning how to swim. He jumps right in, unafraid.
3. Cruisin’. I recently discovered that a drive around town with the windows down and the music on is just as much fun for a three year old as it is for a 30 something. Love those country cruises.
4. Walking around the block. Ace and I love to take a stroll downtown and on Main street. We love to play the “Red One, Blue One” game and watch the cars go by.
5. Reading. After joining the Imagination Library, we enjoy all the free books they have to offer.: http://www.lenaweecf.com
6. Eating lots of Popsicles. “100 popsicles!!” it boasts on the box and for less that 5 dollars, we’re in! We love fast, easy, cool snacks like Popsicles and I even find myself choosing the lesser of two evils when it comes to  late night snacking and opt for one of these sweet treats!!
7. Playing at the playground. Playing at the playground is so much fun when school is out because you pretty much have the whole playground to yourself. Ive even had play dates at the playgrounds. You know the equipment is safe and its always clean and well-kept.
8. Sandbox. Nothing, and I mean nothing, feels better than squishing your hot toes thru the cool sand in the sandbox. So much fun building castles and smashing them to the ground–really makes us miss the beaches of the South, but it’s still fun times.
9. Pet sitting. We like to pet sit our neighbor’s chihuahua, Reyna, she’s so small and low maintenance.  She’s such a joy to have around and I think she gets sicks of us way before we grow tired of her.
10. Feeding the ducks. Always be careful when feeding the ducks as some parks are against it, but you can toss small crumbs to the ducks at Riverside and no one seems to mind.

What are your “top ten” summer fav’s?

Photo taken by the uncorneredmarket.com

I am in my second week of learning about nutrition programs and issues here in the Andean highlands of Peru and have seen and heard time and again the same concerns and issues from moms here that moms in the US encounter – namely, a desire to feed their children well within the constraints of finances and time. One of the differences is a larger concern with preventing malnutrition, but regardless of the issue, the nutrition and health professionals here are working on getting the community involved to support families to do their best when it comes to feeding their kids.

We have been out to a home with a hospital nutritionist and saw her involve Peruvian moms in making baby food. We’ve been to a school and worked with kids that are excited about eating fruits and vegetables. We’ve also been to a meeting where community and school gardening was discussed.

Mother and child in Peru, from WorldPulse

All of these activities involve the support of a community. Whether that community is the parents of your children’s friends, your neighbors, or the people that you work or go to school with, share your ideas and concerns about feeding your family with them. You never know who else may be dealing with that same issue.

Create and grow your own community support for raising healthy kids. Get together and cook meals to freeze for later enjoyment, trade garden veggies or take turns hosting healthy potlucks. How have you reached out to others to ask for or offer support on child eating or food issues?

The topic of technology in childcare has been a growing concern as technology has skyrocketed through the years.  The State of Michigan does limit the use of TV, computers, and other electronic devices in daycare settings to two hours per day.  Daycare providers fill the day with activities to enrich children’s learning experiences, but what do we do when everything has gone techno?

Preschool technology?

Technology is growing so fast that our children can attend school without ever leaving home.  That concept is even hard for me to grasp, and I attend college online!   It is great for hard working adults to earn a degree and still support their families.  My current teacher is employed by a virtual k-12 school.  I wonder how far to go with technology when it comes to teaching our younger generation.  Children learn from others.  They need to enhance their social and speaking skills.  How will they learn to write by holding a pencil?   How will they use manipulatives to create a better learning experience?

I love technology and I believe it should be integrated into a classroom, but never used as a substitute for true hands-on learning.   How do you feel about technology in the classroom for childcare?