With each passing school year, expectations are raised, the work gets tougher and the amount presented to students grows.
More students — or their parents — are seeking outside help from tutors to keep up with it all.
At the end of last school year, my son’s teacher expressed concern about how he’ll do with third-grade math. That’s when division and multiplication come into play.
With the school year right around the corner for my son, and most East Valley students, now may be the time to line up help.
Jennifer Wilkins, co-owner of …

Each year it seems my kids’ teachers get more and more creative with winter holiday parties.

What’s a holiday cookie without sprinkles?
My kids attend the same school for the first time, so they had holiday parties the same day last week. I attended my daughter’s in the morning and my son’s in the afternoon. I’ve never done so many crafts in so few hours! Their teachers amazed me with the organization of the stations and variety of projects.
In my daughter’s kindergarten class, the students: decorated cookies, …

How is it that October is just around the corner? It seems like yesterday the kids started school – but in reality it was weeks ago. It’s all a blur as our lives transform with the new baby and my return to work!
I attended back-to-school night in August and discovered just what a challenge this year will be for my older kids (kindergarten and second grade). Letters to learn, math facts, phonics, reading requirements and real letter grades for my son.
I was overwhelmed. How am I going to be able …

While checking my Yahoo e-mail, I came across this story about families and happiness and I thought it was worth sharing.
It made me think about how I am doing “raising happiness” in my own house. So far, I think I have pretty happy kids. They love to be home. They love to read. They love to play outdoors.
I think they’re happy.
Then there were two questions posed in the story:
1. When are you happiest with your kids?
2. What part of the normal day with your family routinely causes suffering?
So I thought …

Following advice from my son’s teacher, I took him to an optometrist the week before Christmas. Sure enough, he’s nearsighted and needs glasses (no surprise, since I’ve worn them since I was 12).
At first, he was reluctant. But as we looked at the different frames, he got excited. And then, we found the perfect pair.
“You look just like Harry Potter,” I said.
He beamed.
He hasn’t worn them much at home – no need since I’m not writing up on a white board. But now and then he put them on during …

A mom in Michigan is under fire because state regulators say she is violating childcare law there. Each morning, the woman’s neighbors bring their children to her house for care before the bus arrives. Then the woman takes all the children to the bus stop. But the state says that because she is not licensed, and the care is ongoing for more than four weeks (Michigan’s statute), she is breaking the law.
According to Susan Wilkins, the executive director for Arizona’s Association for Supportive Child Care, the Michigan woman may also …

A friend sent this post to me about a book. I have not written about parenting books (there SO many and to be honest, I’ve read NONE of them.) But this one sparked my interest.
My husband and I have had a hard time motivating our 7-year-old, not just in learning, but in participating in team sports or other “active games” that include other kids. With a lot of help from his wonderful teacher, his school work has improved a lot in the last two weeks. And by putting in place …

Last week I had the chance – eh, hem – to talk to my son’s teachers, twice. Keep in mind, it was the second week of school. Last year, I had the same pleasure of getting that call, “Hi, Mrs. Reese. I wonder if I could talk to you about your son’s behavior in class today.”
EEK.
To top it off, my 7-year-old told me visited the principal. “He’s not mean (mad) at us,” he said.
His teacher confirmed this, that in fact the meeting with the principal was to remind my son …

With ZERO hesitation, my son marched off to first grade today. Last night he packed his bag, picked out his outfit and went to sleep at a decent time.
But when we arrived this morning at the campus, I don’t know who was more excited: the kids or the principal. The principal is new to the school this year. I saw him as we drove up, waving at everyone.
Then he stopped at our car – my son had rolled down the window – and gave all of us a “high 5.”
I …

I didn’t cry when my son started kindergarten.
I did boo-hoo and mope a bit, knowing that another year meant another year of him getting bigger, older and definitely more independent.
While my daughter is constantly in my lap, tugging my ear, asking for a hug and a kiss, my son – now 7 – is a more reserved.
Except when no one else is looking.
Last night in the pool at my parents’ house, I grabbed him and tickled him and kissed his neck.
“Ah, MOM!” he squawked as he squiggled out of my …