You don’t want to be “that parent.” You know, the one who emails the teacher every single day. This parent emails about every little thing, from an accidental scratch at recess to a missing yellow pencil that is identical in every way to every other pencil in the room yet still somehow special. Yeah, you […]
The Military Family’s Ultimate Guide to the First Day of School
Shirts still have that new clothes smell. The sneakers are pristine and unscuffed. You even wrote a sweet little note for the lunch boxes. It’s the first day of school! Except that your kids are brand new to the area. You aren’t 100% on the best route to the school. Everyone is a little nervous […]
Get Ready for Your IEP Meeting!
IEP meetings are super stressful, and full of more jargon than the Marine Corps. I’ve been in my fair share of these meetings, and I can tell you that parents who are prepared get what they want more often. Get the best for your child, with a few easy tips to get ready for your […]
Do These Things to Prep for the Next Step!
Whew! 2017 was a doozy! Whether your child is in kindergarten or getting ready to head off to college, you’ve probably been through a lot of changes. There have been amazing moment and some very low points, too. 2018 is right around the corner. And school is not going to be slowing down!
Go Meet the Teacher!
At this stage in the game, almost ever single elementary school (or at least the ones that I have taught in) have “Meet the Teacher Day” right before Back to School. Go.
Better School Communication for Parents
Learn the best tips and tricks for your best school communication, as a parent!
4 No-Phone Communication Tips For Teachers
We have a lot to share with parents each and every day about each child in our class. But making 20+ phone calls each day is time consuming.
There are better ways.
What NOT to say to your kid's teacher
Summers off must be nice! Oh, that’s cute. You think I do what every summer? Lounge by the pool sipping margs and poppin’ chips into my mouth?
Questions to ask at a Parent Teacher Conference
These are some of the best questions I have been asked during a conference, and questions I wish I had been asked.
How to Prepare your Child's School for a Deployment
We are military families, and deployments or extended separations are something that we deal with as part of our lives.
Actions have Consequences
Let’s say that a child has not picked up the redirection instructions, or has behaved inappropriately in some other way. In this case, the punishment should fit the crime AND be reasonable. Children, especially young children, make no connection between action A and consequence B if they are unrelated. For example, forgetting homework and missing recess. Homework and recess are unconnected. The child might suffer some momentary discomfort because of missing a preferred activity, but might not understand fully that the homework caused the punishment.
When Your Child is in Trouble at School…
The worst has happened: your child is in trouble at school. What now?
How To NOT Piss Off the Teacher
Parents, you’ve been there: your kid is struggling over homework almost every night. Or he comes home and says that he did “nothing” all day. Or you are just not sure that she is getting what she needs from instruction. Or any one of a laundry list of other issues that might arise during the […]