LilSugar

Do You Tutor Your Kids Yourself?

babysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:22 -0800

With the school year back in full swing and youngsters' backpacks filling with papers and projects, many parents are finding themselves seated next to their offspring as they make their way through a growing mountain of assignments. For some, the evening ritual is a time to bond and show off their knowledge of specific subject areas. For others, it is an uphill battle. Patience wears thin for both parties as the child declares that mommy's way is not in line with the teacher's method. For this reason, many families hire tutors to help their budding scholars with their work. Do you?

10 Clocks to Get Kids Up and Out

LilSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:40 -0700

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.

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Are You a Yummy or a Slummy Mummy?

LilSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:00:41 -0700

How dressed-up do you get for the school drop-off line? Mamas taking their kids to a London school are involved in a heated debate about their attire. At opposite ends of the issue are the "yummies" who arrive dressed to impress with coiffed hair and made-up faces and the "slummies," ladies who stick to more casual clothes and natural appearances. Moms at the London school have pointed to Claudia Schiffer, Elle Macpherson and Stella McCartney as examples of how a woman can dress-up without overdoing it and have even created a list of items that warrant a parent being put on the "slummy" list, including maternity clothes, leopard print, sweatsuits, mismatched socks and dirty clothes.

Did You Skip Work to Take Your Child to Class?

LilSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:20:14 -0700

Back-to-school jitters aren't only reserved for lil ones. Parents can be just as anxious as they prepare for the child's first day in a new classroom.

For working parents, the return to school often involves some calendar choreography to manage work commitments during the same time frame. But for many, it is well worth taking a vacation day to ensure that they can be there to see their tots off and pick them up at dismissal.

With most of the nation's schools back in session, did you take work off for the first day of school?

Do You Prefer Traditional or Modern School Pictures?

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:30:31 -0700

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

How Well Do You Know Back-to-School Bugs?

LilSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:00:15 -0700

While your child is making her way to the head of the class, germs could be creeping their way onto the lil scholar. You prepped her before she headed back to class, but how much do you know about the back-to-school bugs? Take the quiz to find out.

Take the quiz

Make Your Child the (Rice Krispies) Apple of Her Teacher's Eye

babysugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:00:23 -0700

What does every teacher get on the first day of school? An apple. Smiling faces would be more than enough for any educator, but parents often usher them in with a less than shiny fruit that ends up in the teacher's lounge. In an effort to do something fun the night before my daughter's very first day of preschool, together we made Rice Krispies apples that I hope won't be tossed into the compost.

To see how to make these tasty delights, read more.

Using the same ingredients (plus one) that you use for regular Rice Krispies treats, melt the marshmallows and butter in a pan or bowl. Add some red gel dye to the mix. When the mixture is a lush red, add the cereal to the mix and stir. Instead of pouring the mixture into a pan, make baseball size balls and lay them out in pans that can be refrigerated. Once they have cooled off for a little bit, take them out and sculpt them into apple molds. For my stem and leaf, I used a diced up caramel and half of a green sugar candy. Using a straw, poke a small hole on top and add a leaf and a stem. Wrap it up in cellophane and tie a ribbon around it. Attach a card with your child's name and that teacher will be begging for apples year-round!

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Are You a Summer or School Mom?

babysugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

School bells are ringing and many mothers are doing the back-to-class dance! While some moms love the lazy days of Summer, others long for homeroom and after school activities. Sleeping in and family vacations may sound heavenly, but it can be challenging to entertain children every day for a three-month stretch. However, mamas who look forward to the carpool line may find the school days to be more demanding than the dog days.

Mothers have to roust the troops in the wee morning hours, dress and feed everyone, pack a lunch and then jump in the car for a race to beat the tardy bell. Though she may have some peace and quiet around the house for a few hours, the school mom doesn't get the rest that many suspect.

Do you prefer the summertime or school year most?

Keep the Bullies at Bay With These Tips

babysugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:02 -0700

We all know children can be lil angels, but there are bullies that like to add mischief to the mix. At some point, almost every child comes face to face with a bully. When that moment arrives, it is helpful to know some tips on dealing with the situation. Even better, give your child the advantage by talking about it before he encounters Mr. Bossy.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, children should take these steps when confronted with a bully:

Tell an adult: parent, teacher, coach or neighbor.
Stay in a group - there's security in numbers.
If it is safe, stand up to the bully.
If receiving written communication from him, don't reply.
Join clubs or make other friends where confidence can be gained and safety can be found.

To see what you can do if your child is the bully, read more.

While bullies tend to seem confident and strong, they are often the opposite. Ask them why they tease other children - does it make them feel better about themselves to put others down? Have them put themselves in the other child's shoes and discuss their emotions.

For further tips and videos to demonstrate acts of bullying, visit Stop Bullying Now!

Ease Back-to-School Jitters With a Few Easy Steps

LilSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:00:52 -0700

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.

Plan a visit. If your child's school offers it, see if her teacher can drop in for a visit and introduce herself to your tot. In doing so, your child will make a connection between the person who visited their home and the person in their classroom.
Go on a field trip. If the teacher can't visit your home, visit the teacher at the school. Show your child where his classroom will be, who his teacher is and where he can find the bathroom. One kiddo concern is the possibility of having an accident in school. By mapping out their route to the potty, you will alleviate that stress.
Schedule some dates. If your child is new to the school experience, or attending a new school, peruse the class list and arrange a few playdates prior to the first day. This way, when she enters her classroom, she will recognize some faces.
Set your clocks. The lazy days of Summer may have your lil one (and you) used to sleeping in and lounging around. Ease the shock of an early morning alarm by gradually pushing the clock back in the days leading up to the first day.

For more tips for easing back-to-school jitters, read more.

Talk it out. Discussing what school will be like and what the teachers expect will help quell fears. Talk about the fun things your child can expect like snacks, music and a water/sand table.
Read up. There are plenty of books about going to school, like First Day Jitters that may help your child relate to others that are experiencing some nervousness.
Plan a special meal. Let your lil one help plan a special celebratory meal they can look forward to once they have completed their first day – be it lunch at their favorite place after pick-up or their favorite dinner with the family at home.