Preparing for a new school year is always challenging, and always catches even the most organized of parents off guard. In the blink of an eye, summer is over and we’re in school mode again – just like that!

Before you panic, keep in mind that you don’t need to organize the entire school year right now.  To help you get organized, just think

“BACK TO SCHOOL”!

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A child’s backpack is an amazing amalgam of fashion and function. As our children get solidly into elementary school and beyond, the look of the bag becomes as important as what is inside – and perhaps even more so. They must have some sort of magical power because they can hold a seemingly endless array of stuff. Given how large these bags become when fully loaded, it’s not a surprise that few backpacks are actually carried on backs. You’ll see them everywhere else, however: slung over shoulders, pulled on wheels, sitting on the ground, and even airborne. If your children are in any of these categories, then a lifetime of back woes likely has already begun. Continue Reading

Our summer has had some interesting moments. Summer camp had barely begun before our 9 year old daughter threw us a curve ball. “Mom, J is going to sleep away camp this year. You HAVE to let me go next year – otherwise I’ll be the only 5th grader in the entire world not going.” I have to say, while she’s been somewhat of a pneumatic drill on the topic this summer, watching her try to convince us has been quite amusing. She’s tried everything from emailing us to leaving notes around the house to borrowing the overnight camp promotional DVD from here friend. In her mind, She is completely convinced life will stop if she does not go next summer – the first of many such situations we’re sure to face as her preteen years creep in. Somehow, we went from the cat’s meow to yesterday’s news in the blink of an eye. Just goes to show you that just when you think you have your child figured out, they change again…. Continue Reading

Ask For Kids

Great search engine for kids of all ages.

Ben’s Guide To US Government For Kids

Huge assortment of topics and web sites for fun and learning.

Fact Monster from Information Please

True fun with learning for teens and tweens.

FirstGov for Kids

Government Sponsored Web sites on oodles of topics. You name it, you’ll find it here.

High School Ace

Homework helper for High School students.

Homework Spot

Great site for older elementary school and middle school students.

KidSpace

Online Library for Elementary School and Middle School students from The Internet Public Library.

Teenspace

Online Library for Teens from Internet Public Library.

Kid Info

Has sections for younger elementary school kids and older kids on every topic their school covers.

National Geographic for Kids

Everything adults love about National Geographic done kid-style! Covers many nature and social studies topics.

Reading Rainbow

Targets ages 4-8. Has games, family activities and ideas to help your young child learn to love reading.

Refdesk.com

Online reference desk for kids of all ages.

Time For Kids

Great for older elementary school and  middle school students. Covers world news appropriate for kids in a way they can understand.

Yahooligans – web guide for kids