HELPING YOUR CHILDREN COPE WITH TRANSITION Young children love routine: it gives them a feeling of security. From breakfast to bedtime, knowing what they can expect to be doing, and when, reassures them that the world functions in predictable ways and they won’t constantly be surprised by unexpected demands. Sometimes, though, the unexpected is inevitable: You’re moving to another state. Mom … [Read more...] about HELPING YOUR CHILDREN COPE WITH TRANSITION

THE FRUGAL TEACHER With teaching not being the world’s highest-paid profession, you probably know how to live on a budget. Why not use your experience to influence your students toward sound financial decisions? Here’s a Top Ten list of ideas for maximizing frugality influence in your classroom: 1. Tell your students where you shop. If someone admires your outfit, don’t be … [Read more...] about THE FRUGAL TEACHER

“EVERYONE HAS MORE THAN WE DO!” Hate it when your kids whine for expensive brands because “everyone else has one”? Then don’t be like the mother who lectured her son on “material things aren’t what’s important,” only to be left red-faced when he replied, “Then why did you say you’d give anything to trade places with Mrs. Jones and live in her big fancy house—when her son who’s in jail for … [Read more...] about “EVERYONE HAS MORE THAN WE DO!”

25 WAYS TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR KIDS ON A BUDGET Take a walk in the park. Trot around the jogging trail, meander along the bayou, hike in the woods, circle the lake. Take a walk around your neighborhood and challenge each other to notice the most things you’ve never seen before. (Warning: Young eyes usually beat their elders at that game!)  Go to the playground. Adults: don’t … [Read more...] about 25 WAYS TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR KIDS ON A BUDGET

THE TOP 10 SECRETS OF TEACHING GOOD MANNERS You want kids to internalize basic courtesy. But you don’t want them to be snobs who choose their friends according to who knows the difference between a fish knife and a salad knife. Here’s my Top Ten list for raising polite children: 1. Set an Example. That should go without saying, but a surprising number of parents are chronically … [Read more...] about THE TOP 10 SECRETS OF TEACHING GOOD MANNERS