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Good Study Habits Need A Little Planning

There were severe consequences if our homework wasn’t done when I was a kid. There are so many distractions today, especially with TV and video games, it is easy for kids to delay studying and completing homework assignments.

If parents can encourage study habits right from the very beginning of the school year, it might make a huge difference in your child’s education. It may take a bit of work and planning but it will be worth all the effort if your child begins to practice good study habits.

Why not prepare a checklist for yourself to help remind you of all the subjects your child has in school and mark off what the homework assignments are on your family calendar.

Add These 10 Motivational Tips To Your Checklist

Help motivate your child with these helpful tips on how to introduce good study habits for homework and school.

• Set up a special area with a desk and chair for your child.
• Make sure there are no distractions at all in the room. No TV, no boom box, no video games.
• Set a time to do homework. Prepare a snack for after school and let your child do their homework upon arriving home from school.
• Allow your child to finish up homework after dinner, plan a homework assignment checklist.
• Plan a time schedule that allows for a break during the assigned homework tasks.
• Ten minute breaks between different subject homework assignments helps keep your child alert.
• You can prevent back and leg pain by allowing your child to stretch once and a while or a quick walk around the room can help too.
• Remind everyone in the house to keep it quiet while it’s study time.
• Let your child do the homework by themselves. Help them only if they are having difficulty with a subject or lesson.
• Make sure your child is getting a good night’s sleep. If kids aren’t sleeping well they may nap after school and that means they aren’t getting to their homework until later in the day or evening.

Moms, Plan A Study Schedule To Help Your Kids

It has been determined that kids today must spend more time with their school work than your average adult spends at work. With a study schedule like that, you had better write study time on your family calendar so you can plan your activities around it.

Elementary, middle and high school students will appreciate learning how to be successful and that starts with knowing the rules and guidelines your family follows that will help your kids learn and develop good study habits.

With all the pressure kids face in school, they are overwhelmed with coursework every single day. With a little planning and some determination you can help relieve the stress they may be feeling over homework and studies. You can help your kids on their way to good study habits and a bright educational future.

Why not plan a shopping trip to your child’s favorite store. Put down a date on your family calendar when the shopping trip will take place and give your child something to look forward to. Prepare a shopping checklist with the things they need. A new outfit or two and a brand new pair of shoes will help get your child excited about the first day of school when they can wear their new clothes.

Another simple way to boost up your child’s spirit is to ask some friends over for a day; ask children who are in the same class as your child and any other friends who are starting school at the same time. The kids can talk to each other about all the fun they will be having and this play date will also help them re-connect with each other. Chatting with other kids will also help each of the children to feel more comfortable going back to the classroom.

Start planning for the first day of school by beginning a bedtime regimen a couple weeks before the big day. This way, your child will be in an established routine by the time school does start.

Is your child starting school for the very first time? Perhaps you can check your neighborhood to find another child who is enrolled in the same school. The two kids can walk to school, or to the local school bus stop, together. It always helps to relieve tension and anxiety when you can share an experience with someone.

Just remember, most children will have a bit of anxiety about returning to school on that first day. It’s normal, and it can be stressful and exciting for them. Most teachers will understand how difficult returning to school is for kids, and will take some extra steps to ensure that each child feels comfortable and happy on the very first day back.

Save Money With Smart Shopping

What is smart shopping? Do you belong to a warehouse store like BJ’s or Costco? If you do, you can save money by buying your back to school supplies in bulk. Remember to bring all your coupons to save extra money. That’s one example of smart shopping, but there’s more.

Another place that is sure to have everything you need, and may offer sales during the summer months, is an office supply store. The office stores sometimes have give-a-way supplies for school, plus they may offer discounts or accept manufacturers coupons.

Save money by buying the store brand when it comes to pencils, pens, and pads. You just might find some recycled paper products there too. You can go green and save some extra money with recycled products.

 Make A Checklist Of Tax Free Store Days

Some states offer specific shopping days when school supply purchases are tax free. I really like to shop when I don’t have to pay taxes, and it’s a great way to save money on those kids school supplies. Find out what days your state offers these tax exempt specials and be sure to mark it on your family calendar!

Dollar stores are another place where you can find school supplies. These stores have a little bit of everything, including supplies like: tissues, hand wipes, Zip close bags, plastic snack bags, brown lunch bags, and other items you will need to pack lunches or send to school with your kids. The best part is you will get the supplies you need, and save money since nothing is priced over a dollar.

Stock up on items you know you will use during the school year. A great example are those white poster boards. These boards are great for art work, science projects, or any extra credit project your child does. When you see them on sale, grab several and put them away until they are needed.

Planning Tip:

When you purchase school supplies online you usually get money saving offers in your email box. Sometimes these offers are up to $25.00 off on a purchase of $100.00 or more. When new chains of office supply stores open in your area, you will find money saving coupons in your local Sunday paper.

You can find discounts, deals and even coupons for a free item! Supplies are expensive and taking advantage of every promotion, sale, and coupon offered will save you a great deal of time and money.

The first day of preschool is very near and you can make the transition smooth and simple for your child. While your child will be a bit hesitant about leaving you, experts offer a few guidelines which will help your child feel safe and sound in their new surroundings, and help you feel comfortable as well.

Start A Few Weeks Before School Starts

A couple of weeks before the start of school, search your child’s closet and let him or her pick out a couple outfits to wear. You could also make a trip to the local mall and shop for some new school clothes.

A new backpack or a lunchbox would be a great preschool accessory. Allow your child to select the color and the design. Additionally, you can also visit the back to school aisle and let your child select some pencils, crayons, pencil box and a few other supplies they will need in preschool.

Another expert recommendation is to talk over with your son or daughter what they can expect on the first day of preschool. Mark off the date school will begin on your family calendar so your child can count down the days.
Call your child’s preschool and ask if you can bring your child for a visit to become familiar with the new setting. Let your child know how long he or she will be at school, and plan a route from home to the school so your child will feel at ease the first day.

Mom, Plan A Nightime Routine

Some moms plan a nighttime routine in the weeks before preschool begins. Start with bath time, go on to reading time and then it’s time to get into bed. The experts recommend that you give your child a few weeks until the schedule feels natural.

Create a morning checklist of things to do; create a colorful poster with cut out pictures and put it in your child’s bedroom. On the poster put pictures of his or her routine such as: washing their face, brushing teeth, putting on pants and a shirt, eating a good breakfast, and other things in your morning routine.

Bringing Your Child To Preschool

On the very first day of preschool, use the route you planned and walk or drive your child to school. Walk your child into the classroom, greet the teacher and re-introduce them to your child. You can talk to the teacher about any special instructions or needs right there.

As you leave, be sure to give your child a kiss and a hug. Let them know how very proud you are and that you will be back when school is over. Don’t make it a long goodbye, just make it reassuring and comforting. When you leave, you may have a little cry like many other moms!

If you are feeling anxious about your child’s first day at preschool, just give the school a call to see how they are adjusting. The day will be over before you know it, mom, and you will be back at school hearing about your child’s exciting first day!

With the very bitter winter weather your area has been having, now is the time to start cleaning out your flower beds; build a compost pile; and set up your garden for extra planting such as an herb garden. When the weather gets a bit warmer, begin to plan gardening chores that the entire family can join in. Make a checklist of all the work you would like to complete, and on your checklist designate at least one chore to each member of your family.

Garden Clean Up Checklist:

• Have the older kids rake the leaves; and have the young kids put the leaves into bags. Stomping on the leaves is mandatory for any child before they go into a bag.
• One of the kids can help you clean up the flower beds, or pull weeds out.
• Everyone in the family can help spread the mulch.
• Teach your children how to build a compost pile.
• Let dad and the boys build a bird feeder.
• Are you planning something special? A rock border would probably look great around your flower bed.
• Send one of the kids to the store with dad to buy organic fertilizing peat.
• Mark the gardening clean up on your family calendar so everyone remembers when it is.

I’m sure you can come up with more clean up chores for the kids. Garden clean up offers the kids some fun time outside, but it also lets them plant the garden. I’ll bet each of the kids would like to pick out a special flower to plant.

The more involved your kids are, the more they will want to complete their outdoor chores. They will watch the flower garden come to life from seeds or plants they put in the ground, and will develop a real appreciation of nature.

Get Some Easy Planning Tips

There’s a system to everything and when cleaning out a closet you can use a simple system to accomplish your goal. Here are some tips to help you begin.

First, make a checklist of the things you want your family to get rid of, that will help everyone know exactly what their goal is. Completely empty the closet; the heavy winter coats; ski jackets; suits and pants outfits.

When that’s done, separate those items into two piles, the keepers and the rest of the stuff. The pile with the rest of the stuff are the things going to the church or Salvation Army so someone else can get some use out of them.

It is going to feel great to look at your half empty closet! Why? Because now you can go shopping at your favorite store and shop, shop, shop! When you’re done with your winter clothes you can use this same method with your summer clothes. Go through them and sort what you want to keep and add the other summer items to your donation bag.

 Make A List, Check It Twice

Make a list of the items you will need to add to your summer wardrobe when you are done with your closet. Make sure to include everything, such as foot ware, bathing suits, shorts, and any other accessories you will need for the summer days at the beach or at home.

Check your list one last time before you complete this task. Lastly, pack up and store your remaining winter clothing; bid them adieu until next fall. If you are out of storage space, you can bring that winter clothing to the local cleaners. Let them dry clean or wash all your winter gear and store them for a fee. If you don’t have the room, you might not have any other choice.

Make a shopping checklist. Add all the new items you need and get to the store! When you are finished with your shopping, bring that new wardrobe for the summer home (don’t forget to keep the hangers) and hang them up in your closet. You are now ready for any occasion the summer months bring your way. Don’t forget to add shoes and sneakers to your shopping checklist. Sandals are also a must have for the summer.

What Are You Waiting For?

What the heck are you waiting for? Go clean out those closets and go clothes shopping! Summer is the best time of year, don’t you agree?

Making camping checklists can be a great help with vacation planning for moms and dads. There are some great printable checklists available online for those moms who like to use them.

1. Tent, waterproof tarps, sleeping bags

2. Clothes that fit the season and the adventures you have planned

3. Camping stove or charcoal grill, charcoal and any cooking supplies needed

4. Plenty of food and drinking water, paper supplies including plates, cups, plastic or metal flatware, napkins

5. Any personal hygiene accessories

6. At least one flashlight and your Cell phone

7. A fully stocked first aid kit

Is this the first camping trip you ever put on your family calendar? If so, that means your kids must be very excited! I mean, taking a vacation where you can sleep under the stars; explore; have delicious meals cooked outdoors; sit around a campfire and toast marshmallows, and sing fun songs or tell scary ghost stories; and not have to be stuck in some hotel room – is just about as good as it gets!

Easy And Fun Ideas To Add To Your Camping Checklist

Additional things to add to your camping checklist include items such as a camera; board games, card games and other fun games for the kids, perhaps some fishing rods (you might be near a lake); and Mom, the planner, will want to bring all the necessary items needed for cooking and cleaning; and she will want some extra blankets and pillows too. Adding some additional matches and batteries to that camping checklist is another good idea.

Camping has become more popular than ever, and it’s no wonder! Communing with the great outdoors; chance upon new exciting sites and hearing some interesting sounds, but above all, spending quality time with your family without the everyday conveniences and electronic accessories which ultimately obstruct the quality time you spend with your children at home.

Besides Mom preparing your camping checklist, another great way to make sure you are ready for your camping trip would be to visit the local camping store and ask some questions about the supplies you will need to make certain you have everything you need to make this a rewarding and adventure-filled vacation.

Checking with an expert will make the planning for moms and dads simple as ABC. Who knows, this could be the start of some new and fun family vacation traditions! There are so many destinations you can plan to see and experience; wonders of the natural world which will fascinate your kids, and help them to comprehend and appreciate the wonderful world around them.

Make sure to encourage picture taking! Photographs will add a great deal to your family vacation scrapbook. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Last but not least, stay safe and enjoy this fantastic back to nature vacation!

Plan Early And Save Money On Your Summer Vacation

Save money by planning and booking your vacation as early as you can. You can book your travel reservations, your hotel rooms, excursion packages, or all of the above.

Decide early, plan your activities and don’t let procrastination delay your efforts. Years ago, all you had to do to plan your summer vacation was pick up the phone, and call your travel agent.

Today, make your own on line reservations. Write a checklist of the things you want to do while you are on vacation and have it handy when you go to your favorite online travel site. You can still call the local travel agent, but today planning your holiday right from your own computer has become the easiest way to go.

Once you know your destination, check the flight schedule of your favorite airline. You can pick up the phone and call them, or visit them online via one of the countless number of travel sites waiting 24/7 for you, or visit the airline’s site directly.

Try to save yourself some time by stopping at the local travel agency and picking up some brochures you find interesting. Start to research all the available packages so you can find which offers you the best rates.

Remember, if you are traveling out of the country, make sure you and your family all have updated passports and photo identification. If you are planning an exotic vacation, check with your doctor to see if you need vaccinations before you can travel there.

 You Can Use A Travel Agent

A travel agent can be a wonderful source of information about destinations and agents are chock full of travel advice and planning tips. It’s also free to use a travel agent to book your plane tickets and accommodations. The agency is paid a commission from the airlines and the hotels.

Your Vacation Checklist

If you are going to plan a summer vacation and make all the arrangements on our own, be sure to check the terms and conditions of your vacation planning site and hotels, be on the look out for hidden fees. When you book your flight reservations, check to see if there are penalties for cancellations. Look at the hotel or travel package to see if there are any cancellation fees for them too.

Another good vacation planning idea is checking trip insurance; just in case. Compare travel prices on different days of the week and you might save some money.

Now that your vacation planning is complete and your travel arrangements are made, look for a printable checklist to help with your packing. You can find them on many web sites . There’s just one more thing, Whether it’s a Disney resort, London, Paris, or exotic Tahiti – have a fabulous time!

There is a checklist of information you have to consider when planning your garden: what to plant; where to plant; how much sun; how much water; what kind of soil; insects and pest control; and any other queries you might have. Here are some ideas you may want to note down and use when you make that checklist.

Planning Which Flowers To Put In Your Garden

Perennials are popular flowering choice when planning your garden. Many garden experts offer the perennial as a helpful plant to use when you are planning a garden since they return year after year.

It’s like adding flowers to your garden’s blooming calendar for a return at the same time season after season. Although some only bloom for two weeks and others bloom for an entire season, depending on the variety of perennial you buy, these yearly bloomers make planning your flower garden easy.

The Annuals, or flowers that die after one growing season, make it necessary to plan your garden anew each year. Annuals generally bloom early in the spring season, and some may last a few months.

If money is the factor you are basing your garden planning on, the annuals are usually less expensive, but they do have to be replaced year after year. The perennials, on the other hand, grow year after year. The perennial saves money in your long term financial planning, if you are trying to save money in your garden.

There are some hardy annuals like the poppy and sweet pea that can stand up to just about any winter weather. These sturdy plants are also considered to be perennials because they do produce seeds. Include these plants on your early spring garden planting calendar.

Plants to include on your late spring planting calendar include the marigold, the zinnia elegan, and chrysanthemums. These plants don’t like the cold, so you must wait until the calendar says it’s late spring, or well into the month of May.

Last, but not the least of the flowers you should consider, are the petunia and the lovely snapdragon plants. Pretty and slow growing, these plants take quite a while to grow before you will see a bloom. These flowering plants should be planted in pots indoors in the early spring planting season.

Remember to add that to your gardening checklist or write it on your family calendar so you remember them. Make a note on the calendar to transplant these pretty flowers in the late spring when it’s warm outside.

How About Making Some Room For Roses?

Sunshine and Roses……ah, what smells sweeter than the rose? At least a half day of sun is required by a rose plant. Shade in the very hot afternoon helps to lengthen the life of this lovely flower. When you are planning your garden be sure to choose a place where the soil is well-drained since roses do not fair well in soil that is soggy.

Whatever plants you decide to put in your garden and where ever you decide to plant them, be sure to get advice from a garden expert in your area, create a gardening checklist to work with, and include the dates of planting in your family’s calendar to ensure everyone knows the dates they are needed to help out.