Let's Play School

The other day, I overheard a young girl on the subway telling her father that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. This got me to thinking... how come some kids love school, and the idea of learning, while others can think of nothing but summer vacation?

I remember when I was a kid, I loved to play school. My brother and i would take turns being the teacher (I usually was!) , and each of us would patiently sit at our desks with our pencils and notebooks, pretending to learn.

Nowadays, my boys play on the computer...no desk or teacher! And I know that it's not just my boys. With TV and video games being so dominate in their life, are kids pretending as much anymore?

Or is school, and the idea of education, less "fun" than it used to be?

A Humility Lesson from a Yoga Mom

I find humility in the funniest situations. Usually it comes from my kids...like when they point out that I've used a cuss word or if I drink straight out of the milk container. My most recent dose came from a perfect stranger.

I was enjoying a rare moment over breakfast with my two younger boys at the local diner. Henry was madly munching on a chocolate chip waffle with whipped cream and little Wesley was trying to keep up with his big brother. This was a special treat for all of us...breakfast out and the "candy" for breakfast. I was happy just watching them.

We were happily chatting about nothing when out of the corner of my eye I saw one of THOSE super fit Tribeca moms. You know them-- moms who sport around in Lycra to show off her hard work while carrying a water bottle and yoga matt. Although I haven’t worn spandex in years, I am always surprised with my envious reaction of any mom who finds the time to work out and look amazing.

I watched as she and her two cute girls bounced into the table next to ours. My choice of a chocolate chips and waffle breakfast was a stark contrast her freshly squeezed orange juice and poached egg diet. My morning deflated a bit. Her healthy lifestyle and seemingly Zen-like presence annoyed me to no end.

Then I found myself ease dropping on their conversation. Her girls were perfectly poised, napkins in lap and seemed to be on their best behavior when I heard.

“Alexa, if you want your sister to speak to you nicely, then you have to show her respect. Your tone was not appropriate. I suggest you ask her again, this time changing your tone.” An inaudible mumble with egg in her mouth…

“Better. Now, girls, respect in our family is very important.” I could almost envision a DEEP yoga breath happening as she followed up with, “We all need to speak to each other in respectful tones…” Ooooommmmmmmmmmmmm.

I turned my attention back to my family. The boys were fully jacked up with sugar and demanding my full attention. I was painfully aware both of them speaking loudly, urgently and at the same time! It was time to leave.

I quickly paid and rushed the boys out the door to school. As I walked into my chaotic life, I smiled. The Yoga mom was right!

We do need to speak to each other with respect. Respect is a critical life lesson for all young people. After taking a deep breath, I quietly thanked my super fit friend and walked with confidence into my day!

Going to Grandma's

I love the idea of Spring Break (and secretly wish I could have one!).

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE KIDS? (Meanwhile, didn't they just have a Winter Break? And prior to that Christmas Break?) Ok, Ok...I do realize being a teacher is exhausting (I could NEVER hold up!), yet we simply do not have that much vacation time.

Neither Brad nor my family rarely volunteer to take the 3 boys! So we coyly broach the subject and then POUNCE on any offer! This year, the boys are off Grandma's house.

Suitcases in tow, new pajamas and favorite blankets packed...and the boys will have the time of their life (and hopefully, grandma will, too!)

School Daze

Today, my 10 year old son's class celebrated the end of their American Indian study. They made a miniature Indian village showcasing a Longhouse, various gardens and fishing techniques. The finished model looked like it was borrowed from the Museum of National History! For us, the best part was watching the kids outline in great detail how the Indians planted, skinned animals and made clothes.

What was fascinating as a parent is to see how the teacher incorporated math, writing, science, literature and of course, social studies into this in depth study. Every kid seemed enthusiastic and engaged. I kept thinking back to my elementary school in Texas, where we were required to sit in our desk facing the teachers back as she wrote on the chalk board. I remember gazing out the window and day dreaming a lot!

I was thrilled to see the changes in the public school education and think our kids are going to be better off because of it.

In Search of My Inner Organizer

3 boys + 1 traveling parent + 1 small business owner parent + 2 schools + 2 soccer teams + 3 after school schedules + 1 part time nanny

Equals One HUGE organizational challenge

Keeping the kids’ schedules in order is one of my biggest headaches. I marvel at moms who seem to “have it all together.” (In fact, I am convinced I am missing a gene!) My head spins off my shoulders when I think of my grandmother who raised 6 kids, and my great grandmother who raised 10!

How did they do it without the help of a family white board, fancy day timers, personal hand held devices, nannies, etc?! Well at the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co., we have several bestselling mom and baby organizers to lend a helping hand.

My favorite tools are the School Years Memory Book and the Birthday Book. Each page is easy to fill out and has secret pockets to store important mementos. I have one for each child and we love looking back over the years.

The other family favorite is the School Years Frame (K through 12). Capturing their hair styles alone is enough to bring a smile to my face! Let me know some of your organizational tips…I am ALWAYS in the market.

The Long Walk to School

“Well kids, I walked 12 miles to school in the snow, rain,up mountains…barefoot…with 12 books on my back…carrying water on my head.”

OK. Slight exaggeration, however we all can remember hearing similar stories from our grandparents and parents about how much of a struggle it was to get to school.

In fact, my grandfather was one of 10 kids and grew up on a farm in Nebraska. Each child did chores BEFORE school--waking up on their own at the crack of dawn to run down to the chicken coop to get the eggs, milk cows, etc. In the evenings, homework was done with no extra encouragement from mom or dad. I would love for my kids to wake up on their own, do a load of laundry prior to making me breakfast!

I practically dress, spoon feed, coax and coddle my children to school. Each of my boys is immaculately dressed in new jeans with their own personalized backpack, pencil case and lunch sak. I am sure you'd agree that our life seems so easy in comparison!

Retelling the stories of the past help keep the ease of modern day life in perspective. And help remind us that we are very lucky.

Discovering Creatures in the Creek

As the mad dash to get ready for school moves into full swing, I find myself clinging to the last few lazy days of summer.

Our family spent the weekend upstate, watching the kids run in and out of a creek. Determined to catch a fish or a frog, they’d crouch in the water, quietly pointing to river sightings and testing various techniques. Outfitted with only one net (officially for butterflies) and no rod, the boys used cupped hands to try and capture their prey.

It was magical. It was simple. And it worked! They caught slimy minnows, freckled frogs and one squirmy fish. They were all proud of their finds and shouted up the hill to anyone who was listening.

“We got one! We got one! Look, mom, two hands!”

We were proud watching them. It seemed like heaven... spending a day in a local creek with nothing more than a bathing suit, your best friends and your imagination.

I hope your summer of 2007 was equally beautiful. Let us know if we can help your Back to School transition any easier! We can easily outfit your little learner with backpacks, lunch boxes and pencil cases...