v 1 issue 4: Back to School
Back to School
1. Lap desks get luxe, with these Graphic Lap Desks from The Container Store. Only $24.99!
2. Not your basic rubber band, these adorable Pet & Zoo rubber bands from See Jane Work keep their shape even after stretching. Such fun for only $7!
3. This isn't your momma's lunch box, it's MoMA's Modern Kids Lunch Tote...and it's less than $10!
4. Let your kids roll to school with the best backpack going. The Original Rolling Back Pack from L.L.Bean is designed for kids 7-12, but it'll last until they're 112!
5. Warm up to the whimsical designs from Warm Biscuit. These composition books are sure to turn your child's writings into masterpieces!
6. If you hear bla bla bla when we talk about backpacks, its only because you haven't seen the knit backpacks from Blabla. Find a fantastic selection of Blabla backpacks (and Blabla backpacks for big kids!) at WallyBug.
7. The new 20" frantic blue bike from Giant is almost too cool for school. Of course it looks gorgeous in red too!
8. Mabel's Labels are designed for the things kids lose...so as you might imagine, they have labels for just about everything. And not just labels, but durable, kid-tested, mother-approved labels!
9. Spend $8 and save a ton of time with the 'Notes To School' from See Jane Work. Simply smart!
10. Unlock the secret to never forgetting a locker combination again: the Never Forget Wordlock. Available at Magellan's for only $11.95.
11. The Mini Keyboard and Mouse for kids is big on function: 1/3 smaller than standard keyboards, the mouse and keys are perfect for little hands, and ergonomically arranged keys are easy on little hands. Available in bright pink or bright blue at Ergo Guys.
12. This school year, stay connected with the LG Migo from Verizon Wireless. The Migo's fun green design, simple programmable keypad, and optional chaperone service sold us! See what you think at Verizon Wireless!
This Week's Mom Tips
Cleaning Tip: Found gum on your new carpet? Remove gum from surfaces by using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
Green Tip: Switch to a low-flow showerhead. You will use about six gallons less water per minute, which will dramatically reduce the amount of water and heat used. Showers are responsible for 2/3 of water heating costs. Save even more by taking shorter showers.
Financial Tip: Swap babysitting with another family on Saturday nights…enjoy a date with your husband one weekend and watch you friends kids the next.
Time Saving Tips: Make a list of all your needs before heading out for errands. Map out where you need to go so you can go the most convenient route and try to consolidate all your errands to one shopping center.
School Year Safety Tips
The start of another school year is just around the corner, and since we know that danger likes to lurk around the corner as well, we have compiled a list of some great safety tips to keep your kids safe!
1. Familiarize yourself and your child with the school grounds prior to the start of school. Be sure to point out any areas where traffic could be dangerous. Traffic related injuries are one of the biggest school year dangers.
2. Playground injuries top the list for school related injuries, so take your child to the school playground, and do your own safety check. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that you check the following:
Inspect the surface underneath the equipment. Ideally, it should be at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or be covered with mats made of safety-tested rubber.
Check for potentially dangerous hardware, such as open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends.
Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than three and a half inches or more than nine inches.
Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
Look out for tripping hazards such as exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
And of course, they recommend that you check the playground regularly.
3. Think about what your child is wearing to school. Drawstrings on sweatshirts, jewelry, ponchos and scarves may all look cool, but they are easily caught in playground equipment and doorways and may even choke your child.
4. If your child rides a bike or scooter to school, make sure they wear a helmet. Now of course they should wear one simply because you tell them to, but kids are kids, and if they don't like how the helmet looks, they won't wear it. So, let your child pick out a helmet that is both safe, and 'cool'.
5. Talk with your kids. Stranger awareness and drug awareness (do you remember D.A.R.E?) are important topics to discuss with your child prior to the start of school. We recommend that you consult with your child's school to find out how these topics will be presented to your child, and then mirror these lessons when you talk with your child.
6. Backpacks are filled with more books and homework than ever before. Protect your child from straining under the weight with these guidelines from Dr. Hank Bernstein of Boston's Children's Hospital:
Kids shouldn't carry more than 10 to 15 percent of their weight over their shoulders and on their backs.
Help your child sort through everything before packing up and see what can be left home that day.
Place heaviest items in first; the closer they are to a child's back, the less strain they'll put on those muscles.
Buy an appropriate-size backpack, one that ends just a few inches above the waist.
Use a backpack that has soft, padded straps to maximize comfort.
Look for a pack with compartments that help distribute the weight. Or, try one of the new models with wheels, that your child can pull.
Even though it's cooler to carry a pack over just one shoulder, encourage your kids to carry theirs over both shoulders. This will better distribute the weight.
Make sure your kids bend their knees when they first lift their packs, to avoid further strain on their back muscles.
We hope you'll enjoy the start of a safe school year with these great tips!
1. Lap desks get luxe, with these Graphic Lap Desks from The Container Store. Only $24.99!
2. Not your basic rubber band, these adorable Pet & Zoo rubber bands from See Jane Work keep their shape even after stretching. Such fun for only $7!
3. This isn't your momma's lunch box, it's MoMA's Modern Kids Lunch Tote...and it's less than $10!
4. Let your kids roll to school with the best backpack going. The Original Rolling Back Pack from L.L.Bean is designed for kids 7-12, but it'll last until they're 112!
5. Warm up to the whimsical designs from Warm Biscuit. These composition books are sure to turn your child's writings into masterpieces!
6. If you hear bla bla bla when we talk about backpacks, its only because you haven't seen the knit backpacks from Blabla. Find a fantastic selection of Blabla backpacks (and Blabla backpacks for big kids!) at WallyBug.
7. The new 20" frantic blue bike from Giant is almost too cool for school. Of course it looks gorgeous in red too!
8. Mabel's Labels are designed for the things kids lose...so as you might imagine, they have labels for just about everything. And not just labels, but durable, kid-tested, mother-approved labels!
9. Spend $8 and save a ton of time with the 'Notes To School' from See Jane Work. Simply smart!
10. Unlock the secret to never forgetting a locker combination again: the Never Forget Wordlock. Available at Magellan's for only $11.95.
11. The Mini Keyboard and Mouse for kids is big on function: 1/3 smaller than standard keyboards, the mouse and keys are perfect for little hands, and ergonomically arranged keys are easy on little hands. Available in bright pink or bright blue at Ergo Guys.
12. This school year, stay connected with the LG Migo from Verizon Wireless. The Migo's fun green design, simple programmable keypad, and optional chaperone service sold us! See what you think at Verizon Wireless!
This Week's Mom Tips
Cleaning Tip: Found gum on your new carpet? Remove gum from surfaces by using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.Green Tip: Switch to a low-flow showerhead. You will use about six gallons less water per minute, which will dramatically reduce the amount of water and heat used. Showers are responsible for 2/3 of water heating costs. Save even more by taking shorter showers.
Financial Tip: Swap babysitting with another family on Saturday nights…enjoy a date with your husband one weekend and watch you friends kids the next.
Time Saving Tips: Make a list of all your needs before heading out for errands. Map out where you need to go so you can go the most convenient route and try to consolidate all your errands to one shopping center.
School Year Safety Tips
The start of another school year is just around the corner, and since we know that danger likes to lurk around the corner as well, we have compiled a list of some great safety tips to keep your kids safe!1. Familiarize yourself and your child with the school grounds prior to the start of school. Be sure to point out any areas where traffic could be dangerous. Traffic related injuries are one of the biggest school year dangers.
2. Playground injuries top the list for school related injuries, so take your child to the school playground, and do your own safety check. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that you check the following:
Inspect the surface underneath the equipment. Ideally, it should be at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or be covered with mats made of safety-tested rubber.
Check for potentially dangerous hardware, such as open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends.
Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than three and a half inches or more than nine inches.
Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
Look out for tripping hazards such as exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
And of course, they recommend that you check the playground regularly.
3. Think about what your child is wearing to school. Drawstrings on sweatshirts, jewelry, ponchos and scarves may all look cool, but they are easily caught in playground equipment and doorways and may even choke your child.
4. If your child rides a bike or scooter to school, make sure they wear a helmet. Now of course they should wear one simply because you tell them to, but kids are kids, and if they don't like how the helmet looks, they won't wear it. So, let your child pick out a helmet that is both safe, and 'cool'.
5. Talk with your kids. Stranger awareness and drug awareness (do you remember D.A.R.E?) are important topics to discuss with your child prior to the start of school. We recommend that you consult with your child's school to find out how these topics will be presented to your child, and then mirror these lessons when you talk with your child.
6. Backpacks are filled with more books and homework than ever before. Protect your child from straining under the weight with these guidelines from Dr. Hank Bernstein of Boston's Children's Hospital:
Kids shouldn't carry more than 10 to 15 percent of their weight over their shoulders and on their backs.
Help your child sort through everything before packing up and see what can be left home that day.
Place heaviest items in first; the closer they are to a child's back, the less strain they'll put on those muscles.
Buy an appropriate-size backpack, one that ends just a few inches above the waist.
Use a backpack that has soft, padded straps to maximize comfort.
Look for a pack with compartments that help distribute the weight. Or, try one of the new models with wheels, that your child can pull.
Even though it's cooler to carry a pack over just one shoulder, encourage your kids to carry theirs over both shoulders. This will better distribute the weight.
Make sure your kids bend their knees when they first lift their packs, to avoid further strain on their back muscles.
We hope you'll enjoy the start of a safe school year with these great tips!
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