Up and at 'em! While some kids are up with the birds, others seem to need a splash of cold water to wake from a sound slumber. Help transition your children to getting up on their own with a personal alarm clock. From cute characters to ones that require your tot to chase them, there are a wide variety of tickers to make the process fun.
To see more pics of our fun finds, read more
Strike a pose, it's picture time! Good-bye cheesy portraits — a number of schools are giving students and their parents more options when it comes to taking the traditional class shots. Last week while filling out my daughter's order form, I was surprised to see how many options were available — from an up-close-and-personal angle to the old-school shot. Some portrait companies are even encouraging students to showcase their creative side and shooting candids. Which do you prefer?
Source: Flickr User Brymo
First day jitters are nothing new. As adults we experience them when we start a new job, move to a new city or go on a first date. For children who don't know any better, nerves can be scary.
Whether they are going to school for the very first time, attending a new school or even veterans of the back-to-school process, your lil one may be bottling up some trepidation for their first day. Before heading off to class, be sure to spend some time addressing their fears and seeking out the ones that they are too shy to discuss aloud. Take a look at our tips for reassuring your child.
For more tips for easing back-to-school jitters, read more
Staying connected with your kids now involves technology. While back-to-school shopping means papers, pencils and knapsacks for most lil ones, some parents are also adding mobile phones to the supply list.
Thirty-eight percent of LilSugar readers said their children carry a cell phone with them, while 48 percent said they were against a school ban on the wireless devices. The biggest concerns parents have with the gadgets is that their youngsters will overuse them, talk to inappropriate people and not pay attention to class lessons. Cell phone providers are aware of these issues and have taken several measures to make parents more comfortable with them. Among their latest offerings are:
Check out some of the devices that house these GPS and parental controls below.
Even couples that are at odds like Jon and Kate Gosselin come together to see their children off on the first day of school. In the midst of their divorce, the parents set their differences aside to bid their twin daughters, Cara and Mady, goodbye at the bus stop. When classes resumed at my child's school this week, I noticed that most of the pupils had both mom and pop present for the big day. Many siblings were also there to show their support. What does your family do?
Breakfast was a brain-stimulating balance of eggs, fruit and whole-grain cereal, their lunch bags may have been filled with sandwiches cut into fun shapes. But once the children walk in the door from school, all they can think about is their growling stomachs.
Satisfy your hungry students with after-school snacks that provide nourishment without killing their dinner appetite. Skip the cartoon character decorated, pre-packaged snacks and give them something inspiring. The key to keeping it healthy and exciting is having fresh ingredients on hand – be it leftovers or an assortment of fruit and vegetables that are already washed, cut and ready to go. Try some of these ideas.
What is your child's favorite after-school snack?
Mommy Dearest,
My son is entering a new school for kindergarten and we have received several notices about the school's parent teacher association. I would love to be one of those mothers who organizes the bake sales and volunteers in class, but I work full time. All of the PTA meetings are held during business hours (immediately after drop-off or before pick-up) and after speaking with the president of the organization, it sounds like that is when the committees meet as well.
I don't want the school or other parents to think that I don't care, but I just don't see how I can become involved. How do you ensure that your child isn't penalized by your lack of participation in school events?
– Non-PTA Mommy
To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more
If mama always knows best, then why send her tot off to school? Or nursery school at least? During one of my many preschool tours, a gutsy mother asked a bold question to the director. She said, "Why do I even want to send my child to preschool? Is it necessary?" The head of the school stuttered a bit and then said, "Many children don't need preschool. Your child will be fine without it if you choose not to attend." She then followed it up with the significant fact that there was only one opening for the Fall. Too bad she didn't tell the room full of parents that before we all donated $50 to her funds.
Many folks send their toddlers off to preschool with the hope they will flourish socially and educationally with their peers. For others, the play-based versus academic environment question doesn't come into play because they keep their babies (and cash) at home and teach them the ABCs at the breakfast table. Are you a preschool or home-school mom?
Enter to win a $1,000 wardrobe for your child from Tea Collection!
Back to school shopping is not reserved for the lil ones who will be hitting the books. Mamas of all shapes, sizes and professions deserve a few new items to kick off the school year. We've rounded up some of the latest styles for mums to spruce up their closets and turn a few heads when they are dropping off their offspring.
 The Classroom Mom |
 The Socialite Mom |
 The Athletic Mom |
 The Professional Mom |
 The Expectant Mother |
Enter to win a $1,000 wardrobe for your child from Tea Collection!
School may be back in session, but pregnant mommies are also looking to make the grade. Juggling their children's schedules, work and household commitments, expectant mothers still hope to be stylish until babe makes their debut. Check out these options that work at home or on the school yard.
