parenting tips from the real experts: actual parents
Welcome to Parent Hacks
Submit a hack! Email your parenting tips to hacks@parenthacks.com. Or pitch your exceptionally useful product for review to reviews@parenthacks.com. more contact info »
Show us what you're up to! Tag your pertinent blog posts, Flickr photos, and del.icio.us bookmarks as parenthacks so we can visit you in your corner of the Web. We often find goodies for our link roundups here!
At the beginning of the school year I asked my mom and some of her fifth-grade teacher colleagues for tips that would improve kids' school experiences.
I was absolutely shocked to hear MY mom (a careening out the door with a banana and toast type) say "Get everything ready the night before. Lay out clothes, make sure all paperwork is signed, and keep all school items, coats, & shoes in the same place[launchpad] where they can easily be located."
Most mornings of my childhood were marked by a search for no fewer than 3 to 5 items (matching socks, car keys, books, permission slips, volleyball knee pad, etc.). It wasn't uncommon to be waiting on something to come out of the dryer. I rarely ever handed in anything requiring parental authorization in advance.
And MY MOM offers this advice? I guess she's begun to notice that the kids from kids with a less hectic morning routine are more prepared to learn than their disorganized counterparts. Kids are as frazzled by the morning chaos as adults, so they get to school more muddled their classmates (plus they're often at a disadvantage due to missing materials, etc.).
I am posting my post about this subject...it has HELPED A GAZILLION TIMES! My kids are enjoying doing the things on the list because they have a goal ;0)
At the beginning of the school year I asked my mom and some of her fifth-grade teacher colleagues for tips that would improve kids' school experiences.
I was absolutely shocked to hear MY mom (a careening out the door with a banana and toast type) say "Get everything ready the night before. Lay out clothes, make sure all paperwork is signed, and keep all school items, coats, & shoes in the same place[launchpad] where they can easily be located."
Most mornings of my childhood were marked by a search for no fewer than 3 to 5 items (matching socks, car keys, books, permission slips, volleyball knee pad, etc.). It wasn't uncommon to be waiting on something to come out of the dryer. I rarely ever handed in anything requiring parental authorization in advance.
And MY MOM offers this advice? I guess she's begun to notice that the kids from kids with a less hectic morning routine are more prepared to learn than their disorganized counterparts. Kids are as frazzled by the morning chaos as adults, so they get to school more muddled their classmates (plus they're often at a disadvantage due to missing materials, etc.).
Here are some other teacher tips for a good school year:
http://babytoolkit.blogspot.com/2007/08/insider-training-teachers-tips-for.html
Posted by: adrienne | Sep 30, 2007 7:49:46 AM
I am posting my post about this subject...it has HELPED A GAZILLION TIMES! My kids are enjoying doing the things on the list because they have a goal ;0)
http://cosbyfamily.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/i-hope-you-can-do-two-wfmw-thought-of-another/
Posted by: Tamara Cosby | Sep 30, 2007 6:01:27 PM