But They Sure Are Worth It
Teaching your child to garden is a useful tool in life. As food becomes more expensive, gardens can fulfill dietary needs. A garden provides healthy food as well. Your child can learn about life cycles and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Whether you have a garden or want to start one, here are a few tips.
Summer is ending and school is beginning. Some kids have already started school. There is still time to celebrate the end of summer. Some people use Labor Day weekend as their end, but you do it when it feels right. I like to do it before school is back in session, that is before Labor Day here. There are all sorts of things to do to prepare for the weather changes. Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate.
We are a society of people who have things. Some things have sentimental value. Some things serve a purpose. Each year, people talking about getting rid of things. Then they have anxiety attacks over which things to let go. I get it. Everyone goes through this. Even the minimalists have dealt with this. Rather than stress about it, let’s make it easier.
Back to school photos are the one thing every parent looks forward to. Scroll through Instagram or Facebook, and you will see tons of photos. It is a great way to document your child’s growth throughout the years. Getting a good shot on the first day is a given, but I want to talk to you about some new ideas.
Whether your child is off to college this year or next, you are thinking about the needs. There are a lot of things a new student needs aside from their supplies list for classes. There are tons of commercials and ads on bedding, laptops, and mini-fridges. When is the right time to buy? How do you know if you are saving money? Here are some of my recommendations.
When a child struggles and the budget is tight, tutoring can become a frustrating ordeal. Some schools offer after-school programs that help with homework. Sometimes you can help. I have looked at several apps and websites that are helpful to tutor your child. They are all free and can be a lifesaver. Some of them are so much fun, your child might want to visit them when they don’t need tutoring.
Every year, families try to figure out the best way to handle their child’s school lunch. Do you pack their lunch every day or do you let them eat the school lunch? It can be a hard decision when considering the cost. If your family receives EBT benefits, your child is eligible for free school lunches. In that respect, my advice is to take it. It will save you extra money. For other families, there are other issues to consider.
Children do well when they have a designated spot for doing homework. The area should convey that completing assignments is important. It has everything they have nearby. It is comfortable and quiet. If your child struggles with silence, music from a radio or MP3 player is helpful. I don’t recommend television as it can become a distraction.
Did you know about the Association for Library Service to Children? Don’t worry, I didn’t either until a few years ago. This organization is excellent at making book recommendations each year. You may think toddlers don’t need much in the way of a book. They do. Aside from colors and word association, they are learning early about life. Teaching family values can happen by reading certain books. Here are my recommendations on books you should be buying this year.
While a gift registry is helpful for guests, what happens if there is no registry? What if you don’t feel like buying another place setting or lamp for the couple? What if you want to give something that feels very personal? You can! There are a lot of “rules” around what gifts you should give but we can ignore those on occasion. I gathered with some friends and we talked about our favorite wedding gifts. Keep on reading to get inspired and think about your gift-giving plan. Also, consider setting up a honeymoon registry to fund the experiences and gifts you love.