This post is sponsored by Thorn for Parents and all opinions are my own. Online safety and sex top the list of uncomfortable topics for parents to address with kids, but have you talked about sexting and nudes yet? We’re aware of the implied safety risks of digital devices in our children’s hands but often…
The New Normal of In-Person Learning During a Pandemic
I start every class period at the door, smiling behind my mask as I greet students with a pump bottle of hand sanitizer. My students know hand sanitizer is required for admission to our computer lab. This is just part of the new normal of in-person learning during a pandemic. Some of my middle schoolers…
4 Ways to Help Provide Earthquake Relief for Haiti
If you’re a long-time reader and friend, you know my love for Haiti runs deep. I first traveled to Haiti in 2012 with a desire to get to know the country beyond what was being reported following the 7.0 earthquake in 2010. While visiting artisans around the country, I heard Haitians were skeptical. Visitors claimed…
How to Prepare for a Return to In-Person Learning
This post is sponsored by TextNow Back to school season is here and while we’re excited for the return to in-person learning, this year comes with a mix of emotions. Our kids may seem happy and well-adjusted but living and learning during the pandemic has been stressful. We can’t expect our kids to remember everything…
I Never Thought I Could Be a Minivan Mom Until I Became a Dog Mom
Confession: I’ve never been a minivan mom. We currently drive a station wagon that’s the same age as my daughter (17!) and a hybrid sedan. As we look to replace our aging station wagon, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid hadn’t been a contender until recently. And I credit Goldie, our 2 year old Golden Retriever…
5 Ways to Teach Tweens to Say No to Underage Drinking
I’ll never forget the day that my 9 year old daughter asked me for a beer when we were at a ballgame. I could have been shocked that my elementary schooler tested me with such an outrageous question in public, but I turned it around into a teachable moment. Having the knowledge to provide a…
NASA TechRise Student Challenge Invites Schools to Advance Space Exploration
As a middle school computer science teacher, I’m always looking for ways to connect what my students are learning about programming to the real world. As a parent, I’ve championed STEM learning in my own community by forming SilverSat. I know hands-on project based learning is one of the best ways for students to learn…
How Fair Trade Gifts Support Women in Haiti and Iraq
This post is sponsored by How we spend our money matters. We can choose to support retail giants, small businesses in our community, or buy fair trade gifts that support women in other countries. Personally, I love shopping small and for fair trade goods whenever possible, so the money I spend supports families. Keep reading…
12 Favorite Food Finds at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
We’re a family that loves to eat around the world. We collect stamps in our passport based on foods we love and global flavors we want to try. We often think about what we’re having for our next meal before finishing our current one. So when Walt Disney World invited me to the 2021 Epcot…
How to Use Video Games to Connect with Your Kids
Screen time. It makes many parents groan, especially during the summer following over a year of online and hybrid school. Unplugging is important and so is the down time that allows our kids to find and foster their own interest. But if their interests center around gaming, use this to your advantage. Use video games…
