“How to Get Your Kids to School - New York Times Blogs” plus 2 more |
- How to Get Your Kids to School - New York Times Blogs
- Dear Manolo: Cute Kids' Shoes for a New School Year - Express Night Out
- Commentary: Don't let the door hit you in the rear on your way out, kids - San Jose Mercury News
| How to Get Your Kids to School - New York Times Blogs Posted: 10 Sep 2010 10:38 AM PDT School is back in session. And depending where you live, you've had days or weeks to get back in the routine. Which means you are probably still foundering around every morning trying to get out the door, right? Last week I introduced you to Victor (Spuds) Crawford, a writer/substitute teacher/single Dad of six children/former military man. Spuds likes lists. Periodically over the next few weeks he has agreed to share some of his lists here on Motherlode. Today's offering is a "List for School Day Mornings." There are two variations on this theme. The standard version, and the one for cold or rainy days. First the standard one. Then come back later today for the inclement weather modifications. BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLISTS 1) EVERYDAY LISTS Before we get to the checklist, we need to talk about laundry. Without a laundry system in place, there isn't a checklist in the world that can help you with the daily school grind! This is how we do laundry: Each Child has their specific evening to do laundry. At this time they will wash, dry and, as needed, iron seven outfits which they will wear for the week. I will do the remainder of their laundry. The notion of planning seven outfits in advance is a challenge for my daughters. Apparently, there is a time limit for how long an outfit can remain "groovy" (my kids hate when I say "groovy." So I say it often and in front of their friends.) For this reason I have had to allow for a certain amount of flexibility with the young ladies of the family. For the boys, though, this method is ideal… maybe even perfect! The only requirements I have for the finished outfits for the boys is that pants/shorts must match the shirt and there must be a pair of socks and underwear shoved into the pockets of the pants when they are laid out the night before, increasing the likelihood that they will wear clean socks and underwear everyday. I know for a fact that Calvin, my 8-year-old has pulled his clean pair of underwear out of his pocket at school at least twice. This just goes to show that while my method of trying to train the boys to change their underwear daily is easy, it doesn't necessarily make it fool-proof. A corollary subject to laundry, is weather. Matthew, my 11-year-old son, is the designated Weather Man. Josh, now 15, retired from the Weather Man post last year and Matthew has been doing a great job of updating the weather forecasts on the whiteboard in the kitchen on a daily basis. We always have a general idea of what to expect at least four days in advance and this helps with our clothing plans. Now, onto the lists.
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| Dear Manolo: Cute Kids' Shoes for a New School Year - Express Night Out Posted: 10 Sep 2010 07:53 AM PDT
Manolo says, this is the question that should perhaps be asked of some other feetwear expert, for the Manolo holds the most outdated notions of what the childrens should be wearing. The Manolo is still very "pro" Little Lord Fauntleroy for the boys, although from what the Manolo's friends tell him, such clothing would be the quickest way to introduce your little man to something called the "atomic wedgie," which sounds most unpleasant. As for girls, everywhere the Manolo looks, they are dressed up like the mini-hussies, in the Hooters shirts and the Duke of Daisy shorty-shorts. Sadly, from what the Manolo can see, the only place one can purchase the respectable and cute clothing for the childrens is from expensive retailers with fanciful names like "Bu and the Duck," "Papo d'Anjo" and "Your Superiorly Special Child Outshines All Others in His Custom-Made, Organic Cotton, Nostalgia-Inspired Trousers." If your goal is to shod your child in a well-made classic that won't go out of style, buy the Dingo from Aster Kids ($74) in the red leather. Each week, Manolo the shoe blogger answers your pressing shoe questions. Ask the Manolo a question at manolo@shoeblogs.com. Visit the Manolo at shoeblogs.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Commentary: Don't let the door hit you in the rear on your way out, kids - San Jose Mercury News Posted: 09 Sep 2010 07:58 PM PDT In late summer you passed them in the grocery store, shoulders slumped, dragging their heels with exhaustion. They smile at you at the beach as they wearily pass out sandwiches to their little sandy creatures. My eyes met one at the pool last week as she broke up yet another fight between her offspring. This worn-out parent looked at me with my own misbehaved little ones and groaned, "Five more days. How about you?" "Same," I replied with clenched teeth. "But who's counting?" Starting in early to mid-August we parents start the countdown until school starts. We are done. The kids are done, and it's time for the professionals to take over. At the onset of summer it's entirely different. Parents are elated that we no longer have to pack lunches, supervise homework and make multiple trips to drop off and pick up kids at school. Personally, I'm ready to make popsicles, barbecue with friends and relax. Just as the last school bells rings in mid-June, I promptly hold my head up high and proudly wear my "Mother of the Year" badge. All things seem possible. "Sure you can have a sleepover!" I said with a smile. "I'd love to make homemade chocolate chip pancakes in the morning!" I pronounced. "Let's watch a movie until 10 p.m.!" I shouted with glee. The children love my new, relaxed, easygoing attitude. For the next 2 1/2 months we sleep in, take friends to amusement parks, swim at the pool and enjoy our schedule-free days. We pack up the car to go camping, take long bike rides and stay up far too late without a care in the world.Then in mid-August all the harmony, teamwork and goodwill fly out the window, and the mosquito bites, sunburn and impatience set in like a dark winter cloud. It feels like we've all been on a camping trip for way too long. Our family has officially spent too much time together and we can't take much more. "He hit me with the water worm!" one child shrieked. "She won't stop following me around!" another complained. "He is the meanest brother ever!" the third yelled, all in one painfully long afternoon. By late August, I felt myself transforming from June Cleaver into Betty Draper, without the pearls and perfect hair. (Betty is the mom in Mad Men on the verge of a breakdown). I'm beyond impatient and tired. I'm starting to shut down and hope that someone will remove these wild beasts from my home so I may regain some sort of sanity. Each day of the last week of summer felt like dog years. I was as depleted as someone who had crawled across a desert for days, desperate for nourishment, water and shelter. "Mom, what's for breakfast?" one of the small creatures asked. "Cereal," I groaned, pulling my pillow over my head. "Help yourself." "Mom, can we play outside until it gets dark?" my daughter begged. "No, school is starting next week," I said, trying to sleep while standing up. "Can we go to Raging Waters today, Mom?" my oldest asked. "God no!" I snapped, wishing I could fast-forward to Monday. Then like a bright light in the midst of the darkest time, it happens. School starts. Energy fills the air and excitement of a new year lifts everyone's spirits. Children are eager to fill their sparkling clean backpacks with supplies, put on their shiny new shoes and head out the door to see long-lost friends. Parents start to daydream about how to fill free time. Shall I have coffee with a friend? Workout for the first time in months? Read a book? It is truly hard to imagine an hour much less six without someone wanting something from you. We happily set our alarms knowing the promised land is just around the corner. We pack lunches, slather on the sunscreen and comb hair on the little ones as we prepare to send them off on a new adventure. On our first morning of school, it was hard to tell who was more excited, me or the kids. "Here you go honey!" I said, shoving my oldest child's backpack into his arms. "Don't forget your lunch, dear!" I said, tossing the pink Hello Kitty box to my daughter. "Let me tie double knots on your shoes!" I said while enthusiastically securing the laces. And then within seconds, they're off. School has officially started. Look out, teachers. Here they come. Thank goodness for you, and may the Force be with you. Holly Hunter Morley can be reached at holly@talesfromthetrenches.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
After what seemed like an interminable summer, my two daughters, ages 5 and 7, have gone back to school. Can you recommend some cute shoes for them? — Diane| You are subscribed to email updates from kids shoes - Bing News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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