Red Stick Mom

We're all smiling, but we're bracing for each other. Every year our school has a “back-to-school” night. The parents of my students, most of them moms, drop in for a short amount of time. I scurry through a PowerPoint, make a couple of jokes about using an old textbook, and take routine, innocuous questions at the end of my speech. Then I shake a lot of hands as they all leave, knowing our next encounters could range from the joyous to the depths of frustration. As they leave, I can’t help but feel there is more I want to say to them – more that would make the unpleasant conversations have a happier ending, more that would secure a tighter circle...

As the new school year is starting, I am shifting from stay-at-home in the summer mom to teacher-mom mode. People ask me what my perspective is about school being a teacher mom a lot, and as my kids get older, I'm noticing the things that I feel like are the most important to help children feel successful at school. Read, read, read at home. I know some children like to read more than others, but the more you can read at home, the better. We read fiction, non-fiction, funny books, silly books, books about whatever animals they are interested. Anything at all! Reading to children early is so critical, because it fosters a love for books, and it builds...

It's back to school time around here. Endless supply lists, new school shoes for everyone, the hunt for the perfect backpacks, haircuts, etc. It is 2 weeks of running in circles and forgetting things. It's such a joyful time. My children will be going into third and MIDDLE SCHOOL. (I feel lightheaded now. Hold me.) There is one thing that I don't mind buying because it makes mornings so much easier: school uniforms. I haven't always liked them, though. I am a child of the 80's/90's. Uniforms were for private school kids. Us public school kids were free to express ourselves in whatever outfit we could talk our mothers into spending money on. Although, looking back, we mainly just embarrassed...

There have just been 79 days of summer, and it flew by extremely fast! Summer camps, vacations, and lots of play time were extremely enjoyable, but a fresh start is near. It is time to leave the summer behind and march towards the busy, schedule driven, homework tackling of a new school year. As a child, I would get anxious about the new school year. I would anticipate the bus ride, seeing all of my friends, and finding out my new teacher for the year. I still get the exact same feeling for my child on his first days of school. Getting to know new teachers, methods, and practices is part of the first day anxiety for me. Coupled with...

I’m a firm believer that a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. When my children go back to school each year, I always like to start off by sending their teachers just a little “happy” to let them know that we appreciate the preparation they have put in before the year even starts. My hope is that they not only know how thankful my husband and I are for them, but that this is also the beginning of a positive partnership we’ll have together working towards mutual goals for my children. Here are some simple ideas to help you treat your child’s new teacher: Plant: A small potted plant will brighten up any classroom. The children can help her/him water...