EV Moms

What choice do you make when it comes to vaccines?

Michelle Reese — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:06:10 +0000

Arizona allows children to attend school without vaccines as long as parents sign an exemption form. When diseases appear that could lead to a large outbreak - such as the case of the mumps in Higley Unified School District that I reported on this week – those children are removed from school.
Just today, a story came out about additional states looking to pass exemption laws.
Arizona doesn’t rank very high when it comes to children who are vaccinated. Parents choose to not vaccinate for a number of reasons – religious and personal. Those options may be given to other families across the nation, according to this story.
It’s alarming some, but drawing praise from others who believe in choice.
I personally believe in vaccines and keep my kids shots up-to-date. My only deviation has been when my baby girl faced two or three shots during one visit (which would have been multiple vaccines). I opted to have just one given and came back a few days later for the others. She’d been ill two weeks prior and the previous time she’d had shots she spiked a fever. I just wanted to give her body a little rest.
Alas… no fever. So the next time, she just got all her shots. She even got her flu shot her first year. I figured, I’d had one when I was pregnant… no reason not to do again. And after her birth, I made sure to get a “whooping cough” vaccine. I didn’t know if I’d had one. Knowing pertussis was going around, I didn’t want to take a chance with my infant. My kids’ grandparents also go theirs.
What choice do you make?

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Arizona school options: What are yours?

Michelle Reese — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:42:52 +0000

I recently wrote a column for the Tribune about how many different public – and private – schools are available within a very short distance from my home.

I choose to send my kids to my neighborhood school. The principal has an open-door policy. The educators have years of experience. My children’s teachers and I work together and they communicate often when anything arises.

But I also know that there are options around me. As I wrote in the column, I seriously considered a dual language program for my middle child. But I really didn’t want children at different schools when I also have a baby to care for , and with work, that would mean three dropoffs in the morning.

In the last few years, many school districts have added options for parents. Choices may now include a back-to-basics format, a Montessori school, a gifted academy, a classical education and more. And while I looked at schools close to my home, I’ve heard many school operators talk about how parents drive 30, 40, event 60 minutes in the morning to get their child to class.

In another column this week, one educator offers ideas about how parents should “shop” for their children’s school. Even children in the same family may attend different campuses – and not just because of their ages. I’ve heard about homeschooling families who put one child in public school, while keeping another at home. A friend is now looking at a charter school for her youngest, while her older two children attend a back-to-basics district campus.

I realize these options may not be available for all. Transportation isn’t always provided for “choice” district schools. Charter schools have waiting lists (I know. Several years ago I was on one). Parents may need a school within walking distance because of after-school care.

But if you are looking for another school for next school year, many districts and charters have started the open enrollment process with deadlines in February, March and April.

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Before your week starts, what does your prep work look like?

Michelle Reese — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:27:46 +0000

What does your Sunday week-starting prep look like?
Mine started Sunday after church as the kids and I went through their backpacks, looking at any papers I missed last week, doing homework, and having my husband assist our son with a particularly troublesome area of reading.
After putting away about two-thirds of the laundry (the rest is still on the couch. Oh, well), we had family time.
After the kiddos were in bed, I spent an hour last night on the computer and with my calendar – figuring out what meetings I have to be at, looking at the school lunch menus, what activities the children have, any family obligations, and – of course – what stories I may have to write. With a half day tossed into the middle of the week, I had to do some extra planning.
But this morning, I realized, I should have spent more time in the kitchen!
It was crazy as none of the kids awoke before 7:30 a.m. I knew the kids would eat lunch at school, but I didn’t have much of anything for my husband and I to take (I quickly made a fruit salad and grabbed yogurt).
The sink is still piled high with dirty dishes (should have cleared that out last night, too).
At least one thing was in my favor – I had the kids pick out their clothes before bed and put their gymnastics outfits out.
My son and I drew up a list of things he has to do every morning (Get up, get dressed, get shoes, come eat, get backpack and glasses) and stuck it in his room.
I think I may need to draw up my own list for my bathroom mirror for evenings!

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When should you drive home the idea of careers and college with kids?

Michelle Reese — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:27:33 +0000

On the drive to school/daycare/work this morning, my big kids asked me a question: Mom, do you get to pick what job you do?

The conversation was sparked by my 7-year-old daughter’s question about the traffic lights. I didn’t know the answer, but I said that’s the job of a traffic engineer and if she wanted, she could study that when she gets older.

With that, I started in on a 3-minute conversation about going to college, picking your course of study (and what jobs are more available) and then getting a job. I explained that their dad studied business, and now works as an accountant and I studied writing, so I write for the newspaper, but one day, I also want to write a book.

I know this needs to be more than a 3-minute conversation, but it’s been coming up a lot lately. My oldest daughter says she wants to be a pilot (or a princess, but she hasn’t figured out how to find/marry a prince yet). My son wants to build things, so I’ve tried to explain that’s what an engineer/architect does.

I’ve toyed with the idea of taking them to EVIT or ASU or, even, NAU to show them what career classes and college look like, but I don’t know if it’s too soon for that. My son will be 10 next summer and my daughter just turned 7.

Thoughts?

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Checking in on: Around My Family Table

Michelle Reese — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:28:48 +0000

I took a moment this morning to check on our East Valley Mom Bloggers Connect page. Wow. I found this wonderful blog about Strawberry Cupcakes with Almond Buttercreme. Oh, if only I had a reason to make these. (I may have to make one up!) There are other recipes, too.
With there being a big football game this weekend, I spent some time in the kitchen, but not a lot. I made fruit salad (YUMMY!), guacamole and a cheese platter. Nothing fancy, but all yummy and homemade (oh, except the cheese). Looking at the Around My Family Table website inspires me to do some cooking this week… if I can only find the time!

If you have a mom blog you write and you live in the East Valley, please e-mail me to add it to our collection!

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Checking in on: Finley and Oliver

Michelle Reese — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:09:02 +0000

Oh, I love good craft ideas. So I was so happy when I looked over at Finley and Oliver on our EV Mom Bloggers Connect page. There are not one, but two adorable Valentine’s Day crafts. You have to check them out. Plus, they look super easy. Related posts: Checking in on: Finley and Oliver I thought I’d wonder over to our other mommy blogs... Turning the platform over to dad My husband can light up the face of any of... Checking in on our summer to-do list There’s only two weeks left until school starts. ... Related posts:

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It’s time for moms to GET OUT

Michelle Reese — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:54:43 +0000

Moms, if you need a break — and a massage — here’s your chance.
The next Mom’s Nite Out event is coming Wednesday. The event is hosted and organized by Choosing Love blogger (and EV Mom Bloggers Connect contributor) Wendy Wright.
Every mom who attends the event will receive a free chair massage at Mom’s Nite Out courtesy of BackFit Chiropractic & Rehab. Moms will also get a goodie bag of giveaways, learn more about local vendors and get a chance to chat with other moms. Food and drink available for purchase, but is optional.
The free event takes place 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at Buffalo Wild Wings, 970 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert.

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What would be your perfect day?

Michelle Reese — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:44:24 +0000

Last week, our big kids (7 and 9) crawled in bed with us about 7 p.m. (We were all TIRED!). They asked, “What are we going to do tomorrow?”

Time spent as a family makes for a perfect day.

My husband’s response prompted a 45 minute discussion: “Well, if I had my perfect day …”
We had a lot of fun with it. From starting the day with coffee delivered (mommy) to Dunkin Donuts (family), a trip to Toys R Us (daddy, brother and sister), lunch at Wendy’s (sister), a trip to Harkins (daddy, brother and sister) to a hour reading (mommy and brother), we all described how we would spend our “perfect day.”
There was nothing outlandish. No one wanted a trip to Hawaii or winning the lottery or a maid (I did ask for a babysitter). The responses were very simple. My daughter, I believe, had the best ending: “Going to dinner at Red Robin with all our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.”
We tried to create some of our “perfect day” the following morning. My hubby went to get donuts and coffee for me (delivered!). We did make a visit to Toys R Us (bought nothing, but had fun). On the way home we picked up lunch. The afternoon was spent playing outside.
Our fun was cut short a bit because the baby didn’t feel well and I didn’t want to take her out any more, plus I didn’t think a babysitter would want to be exposed to her illness. But by the end of the day, I admit, it was pretty “perfect” because we did what we love best: Spent time with each other.
What would your perfect day be like? What would your kids say?

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Kindergarten registration: It’s here!

Michelle Reese — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:28:16 +0000

More than five years ago, my husband and I faced that school milestone known as kindergarten.
Our son – our oldest – was a summer baby. During my years as an education reporter, I clearly remember hearing: if you have a summer baby boy, you might want to consider holding him back a year.
But at the time, our son was already in a special needs preschool five days a week. We thought he would be ready to move on, but to what?
Our neighborhood school offered an option that combines typical kids with special needs kids for kindergarten. During our IEP meeting the spring before, I brought up that possibility and the educators agreed.
Here we are several years later, and we are so glad that choice was presented. The following year, he was put into mainstream kindergarten. Maturity was definitely still an issue, so first grade would have been tough emotionally and academically.
Arizona school districts are starting the push for kindergarten registration. I wrote a story about it this week. Yes, it’s only January. Most classes don’t begin for another seven months.
But here it is. And the kindergarten curriculum is at a higher level than my son faced just a few years ago. It’s a critical year as children must know how to read in kindergarten by the time they finish third grade.
If we were in the same situation today, I likely would make the same choice.
No matter where your child is, one school principal (and former kindergarten teacher) said the teachers will work with your child to bring them where they need to be.
I like the advice at greatschools.org about kindergarten readiness. It raises some good questions for parents and caregivers.
Check it out.

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Remember when errands meant just sitting in the car

Michelle Reese — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:05:55 +0000

The kids and I had big plans Monday when they were out of school. We had our annual MLK Day lunch and playdate with friends, an afternoon at Bounce U and gymnastics in the evening.
My big kids – 7 and 9 – always have to have SOMETHING to do in the car, be it a book to read, a movie to watch or an electronic device to play with. It was a 20 minute drive or so to our friend’s house so I knew they would grab a few things.
Little did I know what the inventory on that trip would be until I counted at the end of the day: one Nook, one iTouch, one LeapPad, my smartphone, and yes, we have a DVD player in the minivan.
Oh, and I grabbed my laptop in case I had time to work.
SERIOUSLY?
I try to keep several books in the car for, you know, READING when we run errands. But this, I think, was overboard. I didn’t realize all of it until later in the day. The kids have catchall bags they take with them, so nothing gets left in the car. Needless to say, we were lugging heavy bags with us.
I think next time, I’m taking inventory BEFORE the trip. And a few things need to stay home!
So later in the week, when they had NONE of that in the car, they proclaimed: We’re bored.
I turned on the radio and reintroduced them to music. You know, the stuff that comes out of the radio sometimes when mommy doesn’t have it on the news? Yea. It’s a GOOD thing.

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