With the warm weather finally here, the idea of dress codes for children seems to have become a hot (no pun intended) topic. Let me be clear that I am not commenting directly on recent events regarding dress codes at other schools, because without having all of the information, I am very hesitant to give […] Read more…
Over the weekend, I devoured Thrive by Arianna Huffington (cofounder, president and editor in chief of the Huffington Post). The book was written after she had a health scare – a broken cheekbone and a gash over her eye – which happened when she took a fall due to exhaustion and lack of sleep. The point […] Read more…
I’m willing to bet that you’ve heard of TOMS, the company that provides a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold (to date, TOMS has given over 10 million pairs of new shoes to children in need in 60 countries around the world), and I was recently given the opportunity […] Read more…
My friend Krista is back with a brand-new party idea, perfect for the little scientist in your house – male or female! She did this one for her younger daughter’s 7th birthday. There were a few stations set up outside as the kids arrived, such as quicksand, magnets/electricity, specimens in jars, and magic goo. When […] Read more…
It finally happened! Yesterday was our Wigs For Kids assembly at school, where 8 brave young girls (and one secretly apprehensive teacher) cut off 10″ ponytails to be donated to make wigs for children in need! We kicked off our initiative back in the fall, to give kids a chance to get growing…and they sure […] Read more…
I’m rarely wordless, but after a wonderfully full weekend this is all I have for you today: Have a fantastic week, everyone! P.S. Frannie was quite tickled that her First Communion photo drew one of the largest ever number of “Likes” on This Mom Loves’ Facebook page, as well as many comments. Thanks for that! Read more…
In her book “The Happiness Project”, author Gretchen Rubin spent May focused on “Be Serious About Play: Leisure”, which was another interesting topic for me, after I tried to “Lighten Up” last month! Her goals: Find more fun Take time to be silly Go off the path Start a collection Okay, these ones are going […] Read more…
Here’s a sampling what the Grade 3 class was up to in April: Art Beautiful Easter crosses, using chalk pastels and paint. Here’s the original Pinterest pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/175288610471090221/ (I used to be able to embed pins into my posts to give clearer credit to the original pinner, but it doesn’t seem to work properly anymore. Any […] Read more…
A quick writing update: In the May issue of Today’s Parent (or at the link below) you can find my latest article, “Problem Solvers”, on when (and how) to let kids solve their own problems, whether it’s an issue with a peer or an adult. As a teacher, I certainly have strong feelings about this, and […] Read more…
I’m 36 years old, and I am a celebrity ageist. But not in the way that plagues most of Hollywood. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I’m more of a “reverse” celebrity ageist. I’m not interested in the teeny-boppers and the twenty-somethings. I’m mere months younger than Justin Bieber’s mother, for heaven’s sake, […] Read more…