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New School Year, New You! | Views on Back-to-School

Thank you for joining us for Views on Back-to-School! VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers about back-to-school. Today, please welcome Ciaran Blumenfeld, author of the blog Momfluential where she writes about her insights into parenting, pop culture, recipes, crafts, and more. This Tuesday, Ciaran discusses the ritual of the "first day of school" outfit and it's transformational powers. Thanks Ciaran!

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A Fresh Start

By Ciaran Blumenfeld

 

Did your parents take you shopping for a new outfit for the first day of school?

In my house the first day of school outfit was practically a religious ritual. Head to toe newness.  No compromises. No wearing the shoes the week before to break them in. Perhaps this is why I still associate blisters with the first day of school. Small price to pay however, for the thrill of making yourself over on a yearly basis.

The outfit was more than just clothing. It was representative of who you were going to be that year. It was your one chance to break out of the mold, reset the clock, emerge fresh and anew as a preppie, a punk or a bohemian free spirit. Even if you’d been a card carrying member of the geek club for the last three years.

So much happens over the summer. New kids move to town. Growth spurts change you from pudgy to lanky. Braces are put on, or removed. You go to camp. You dance with a boy. You discover eyeshadow. You cannot remain unchanged.

A new school year is a blank notebook, a fresh start.  The new outfit therefore, made perfect sense. The first day of school, as they say in reality TV talk, was the “Big Reveal”.

My own girls love to shop for their mom-mandated outfits but it’s not quite the same as when I was their age. Constant connectivity via computers and cell phones have made the shopping experience more of a group exercise, rather than one you’d share with your mom and a close friend or two. The reinvention of self loses some of it’s impact when  a few hundred of your friends all see your outfit choices on Facebook and place their votes on punk vs retro before you’ve even left the dressing room. This is where too much information is not necessarily a good thing!

I’m a little nostalgic for that fresh sense of possibility that existed for me as a kid each new school year,  which is why I’m urging my kids to stay offline a little bit more than usual at the end of summer. Start the year fresh that way, I say. Give yourself a little space to surprise your friends.

Who knows, you may just surprise yourself as well!

Question for Parents: Do you sometimes feel the New Year, New You phenomenon hit you with the new school year, even though you’re not the one going back to school? Is this the year you become the room mom? The class photographer? The party mom who bakes the cupcakes? It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, is it?

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Ciaran Blumenfeld is a Los Angeles area mom of four and publisher/producer of Momfluential Media . She is also the co-owner & designer of Francie Pants privacy shorts for girls.

Back-to-School Do's and Don'ts from The Mouthy Housewives | Views on Back-to-School

Thank you for joining us for Views on Back-to-School! VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers about what back-to-school means for them. Today, please welcome Wendi, Kelcey, Heather and Marinka from The Mouthy Housewives. The Mouthy Housewives are four popular humor bloggers who've joined together to give sassy advice to all of life's tough questions. It's a tough job, but they're just tipsy enough to do it. Thank you, ladies!

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Back-to-School Advice from The Mouthy Housewives

By The Mouthy Housewives

DO take your kids backpack shopping.
DON’T do it at the Coach store.

 

DO volunteer to be a class mom.
DON’T volunteer to be a wicked stepmom.

DO volunteer to make cupcakes for the school bake sale.
DON’T let your kids catch you hiding in your bedroom closet, polishing off a half of a can of Dunkin Hines Creamy Home-Style chocolate frosting.

DO come up with fun ways to raise money for needed school supplies.
DON’T suggest mom wet t-shirt contests.

 

DO offer to help your teacher with reading and writing.
DON’T offer to help your teacher with reading and writing her tell-all memoir.

 

DO sign up to be on the PTO board.
DON’T sign up to be on the CIA waterboard.

 

DO sign up to volunteer with a friend.
DON’T do it unless it’s your "I got it! You go sit down and rest!" kind of friend.

 

DO volunteer for any activity that involves making pink cocktails.
DON’T volunteer for anything that involves making pink ponytails.

 

DO greet all of the parents you haven’t seen all summer
DON’T greet them by saying, “Look at you! You got so big over vacation!”

 

DO sit and talk in the kindergarten classroom.
DON’T sit and talk in one of the kindergarten chairs unless you weigh less than 50 pounds.

 

DO pack healthy, nutritious lunches for your kids.
DON’T pack your bags when they refuse to eat them.

 

DO give your kids a big hug and a kiss on their first day.
DON’T forget to take a big nap and bath as soon as they walk out the door.

 

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The Mouthy Housewives are four popular humor bloggers: Wendi, Kelcey, Heather and Marinka, who've joined together to give sassy advice to all of life's tough questions. You can experience small gems of their hilariousness on Twitter as well.

Top Tips for Soccer Players and their Parents to Survive this Season!

At VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to making it easy for parents to get involved in their childrens' sports activities.  A new soccer season means scheduling practice helpers, snacks, assistant coaches and officials. VolunteerSpot’s simple online sign up sheets and volunteer scheduler provides a quick and easy tool for getting the entire team (or tournament) organized. (And make sure to check out our free eBook: Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids on Teams for fresh ideas on team snacks!) For more tips for getting organized and having a successful soccer season, we bring you guest blogger and soccer mom Judi Cogen. Thanks Judi!

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Essential Tips For Surviving the Soccer Season

By Judi Cogen

Both parents and players need to be prepared to survive soccer. Here are some of the essential tips for making it through the season.

Soccer Survival Rules for Kids:

1. Cleats (or "boots" if you're speaking British) are to be taken off before you enter the house. You may remove them in the car or in the laundry room, but under NO circumstances are you to wear them into the kitchen where we have hardwood floors that were re-finished several years ago and I have no intention of going through all that dust again for a LONG time. So take off your cleats before going inside.

2. If your cleats (or "boots") are wet, muddy, caked with grass, or otherwise messy, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. We do not have a shoe-cleaning fairy to magically clean them for you. And we are not going to buy a new pair just because yours are a bit dirty or soggy. So please, don't even ask.

3. We have purchased an extra large commercial size bottle of Fabreze. Use it! On cleats, on shin guards, on your soccer bag-pretty much anything that can't go in the washer is a good target.

4. Speaking of your soccer bag, when you throw it down on the kitchen floor because it is too heavy for you to carry a few extra feet, you accomplish several things (none of them good). You risk scratching the kitchen floor (which I may have mentioned is a no-no), you are offering the Puppy a new game called "See What Fun Things Are In The Soccer Bag," and you are clearly attempting to kill your mother as the likelihood of me tripping over some portion of your gear is breathtakingly huge. To be clear-find another home for your soccer bag.

5. Do not ignore your soccer bag or its contents. When it is half an hour to game time and it will take 15 minutes to get to the field and you are supposed to be there 30 minutes early and you choose that moment to yodel that your uniform isn't clean, there is not much I can do except offer you the aforementioned bottle of Fabreze. This is also not the time to mention that you don't know where your left cleat has gotten to, that everyone has agreed to wear a green stripe in their hair for this game, or that I am responsible for snacks for the entire team.

6. You are old enough to put water into a water bottle all by yourself. You are old enough to tell time. Therefore, you are old enough to have your own water bottle(s) ready to go on time.

7. Just to be clear: watching professional soccer games on tv does NOT constitute studying and therefore is not a substitute for doing actual homework.

Soccer Survival Rules for Parents:

For parents of soccer players, surviving the season is a question of preparation and good behavior.

1. Be sure you know where the field is and what time your player needs to be there. Nothing snuffs the joy out of the day quite as quickly as your kids sobbing or seething because you are desperately racing to the field after having asked for directions for the 12th time that morning.

2. Make a list of all the players on your team and their jersey numbers. "Great shot, Chris!!" is much more meaningful than "Go Blue!"

3. Get your child to explain the game to you. First of all, it's a great way to get your kid to talk. Secondly, different leagues, different teams, different coaches use different terminology. It will save much stress if you use the same language your child is using.

4. Yeah, I know your child is the single most important player on the field. And I understand that he/she never makes mistakes. But please don't argue with the referee. It is not a good example to set for your child, it can get our team penalized, and frankly it is plain unattractive. It's much better if you sit next to me and make snarky remarks quietly.

5. In case you missed the memo, the most important part of kids playing soccer is to have fun and stay safe. So if a kid may be hurt and the ref stops play right before little Johnny scores, live with it. The score is not nearly as important as taking care of our kids.

6. For heaven's sake, please leave the fog horn at home. Personally, I'm not a big fan of them at professional sports games, but these are little kids! (And I have delicate ears.)

7. Teams win. Teams lose. Think hard about what you say to your child in either event. For heavens' sake, please do not trash talk another player-especially when you're still on the field! Your kid is probably

8. Try a Soccer Season Survival Bin. Mine lives in the trunk of my car during the season. Depending on where you live you may want to change the contents, but here's what I carry: lightweight blanket, an umbrella, a small towel, dog treats (in case Puppy goes with us), kid treats (for the player and for the siblings-guess which is more important), one of those chemical bags that turns into a cold pack when you smash it, a couple of plastic bags, sunscreen, a couple of pens, and some paper. (NOTE: I would love to know what you keep in your survival bin!)

9. When you leave, check to be sure you have everything including your water bottle, your chairs (not mentioning any names), and your child.

A Final Note: These are kids. Almost none of them will play professional soccer when they grow up. The great majority of them will not even play soccer in college. So ENJOY! Celebrate their great moments, encourage them when they miss a shot, and laude them when they cheer their teammates. And above all-pack a great snack for after the game!

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Judi Cogen is a Principal with J Grace Consulting and an expert in reducing unwanted organizational turnover. Her Selection Strategist Program helps companies reduce turnover and take the guesswork out of hiring by using proven conative testing and company specific analytics to select the right person for the right position. J Grace Consulting also offers Youth Strategist, a program to help 10 to 17 year old kids understand their conative attributes for more success in life and school.

Learn more about Selection Strategist and Youth Strategist at http://JGraceConsulting.net.

You can read Judi's blog at http://JudiCogen.wordpress.com or follow her on Twitter at @JudiCogen.

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Are you a team mom or dad? Check out VolunteerSpot's free eBook for fresh snack ideas, perfect

for hockey, soccer, swim team, or any youth sport: 

Free eBook: Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids on Teams

Volunteer Spotlight: Gudrun Enger, PTA Green Team Parent Leader, Northern California

With composting, children can do more than just send cans or newspapers off for recycling -- they can see the entire cycle, from "yucky" food scraps or other organic wastes...to something that is pleasant to handle and is good for the soil. Contrary to the "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy, children who compost become aware of organic wastes as potential resources rather than just as something "gross" to be thrown away and forgotten. They learn through direct experience that they personally can make a difference and have a positive effect on the environment.

Today, our spotlight shines on Gudrun Enger, PTA Parent, who initiated the Lunchtime Composting program at her children's school.

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Tell us about your Lunchtime Composting Program and how it works.

We started Lunchtime Composting at my children's elementary school in the spring of 2009. Using parent volunteers, we help the students (K-3) divide their trash into compost, recycle and trash. Thanks to our hot lunch provider, Choice Lunch, we are able to compost over 85% of our lunchtime waste.

What other activities are you involved in as a volunteer or volunteer leader? 

I am the Green Team leader for our PTA, as well as a member of the Book Fair committee. In my community, I volunteer for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).

How did you get interested in volunteering?

I have been volunteering regularly since Jr. High School. My mom was a big volunteer, she had a hard time saying no, and I follow her example.

What’s one piece of advice you have for parent volunteers out there?

Be Picky! Chose volunteer opportunities that are closest to your interests - you won't begrudge the time you spend on these opportunities and you will continue to develop skills that will be useful going forward.

Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?

I needed an easy way to manage our lunchtime compost volunteers, and provide the volunteers an easy way to sign up for their shifts. Managing the process through email was time consuming and created a lot of unnecessary email traffic.

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To learn more about Gudrun, please visit www.kitchengadgetgirl.com.

We salute Gudrun and all the self-organizing volunteer leaders working to help others and support the causes they care about. If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing, and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at [email protected].

Lunch to Go for Parents (and Kids) on the Run | Tidy Thursday

Welcome to Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April shares her favorite time savers for the most neglected meal of the day, lunch. Thanks, April!

 

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 Lunch Time
 

By April Welch

 

 What do these things have in common:

• A grumbly stomach.
• A cranky attitude.
• A clock that’s moving too quickly for all that needs to be done.

They can often be found in the car of an overstressed, under-appreciated adult on any given work/school day.

Yes, this could be you, your friends, and at one time was me.

So how did I get from there to here? (You know, the organizing expert showing you how to overcome the many expectations of life.)

I slowly, but surely, came up with a plan ... {I know, let me have it ~ GROAN}

Seriously though, healthy lunches really do come from planning.

Don’t worry, I’ve heard it all before from my clients:

How many times do I need to hear “just plan ahead”??

Sure, plans may be great for someone else, but for me? It’s a no go!

I’ve tried this meal planning thing before, I suck at it!

Not so fast!

Just like other weeks here on Tidy Thursdays I have some ideas to get you started & keep you motivated clear into next year!

Remember, these are new habits you’re creating ~ so you WILL stumble more than you succeed at first. The most important part is that you keep tweaking & trying until you get it figured out for the way you live within your system.

Now, first things first. Who are you feeding?

• Are we looking for lunch plans you can take to work or volunteer sites?
• Or are we focusing on a student lunch that may not have as many resources available? {no refrigerator or microwave}

1. Gather those who will need to tote their lunches, snacks & other edibles away from home.

• Call that all famous “family meeting”
  • Mom
  • Dad
  • Johnny
  • Susie
  • Grandma

• And just like back in Preventing Summer Brain Drain begin collecting ideas. Try asking:

What are your favorite lunches?

What are your favorite snacks?

• Remember to assign a record keeper to take notes.

• Brainstorm ideas.

Some of the ideas in my home are:

• Lunches:
  • Spitwad sandwiches {peanut butter & mini marshmallows}
  • wraps
  • Ham & Cheese
  • Tuna
  • leftovers

• Snacks:
  • carrots, cucumbers in lime juice, celery w/hummus
  • cheddar cheese cubes
  • pretzels
  • yogurt
  • apple slices

If you find that you’re met with the virtual sound of crickets, you can check out a few sites on the web.

Some of my favorites:

• Cooking with Krista

•  
  • She is one of my favorite foodie blogs to follow! {since I can burn water & all!}

•  A Southern Fairy Tale 

•  
  • She makes you want to be Southern {even if you don’t like the south!}
    Someday I’ll work up the courage to ask for her Watermelon Jam.

• Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

•  
  • What this one man is doing to change nutrition in our children’s minds
    {& stomachs} is just awe inspiring! Be sure to watch a few of the
    how-to videos WITH children in your life

Some I found while researching for this article were:

• Frugal Momma’s Cookin’

•  
  • this blog keeps the tight budget in mind when creating meal ideas

• Laptop Lunches

•  
  • these guys have a quick reference for ingredients ~ definitely worth checking out

• Gluten Free Gobswacked

•  
  • great list of ideas & resources

• Lunch in a Box

•  
  • this is where I was inspired to learn more about Bento Lunches {try not to
    be intimidated, remember ~ glean ideas first until you feel more
    comfortable}

2. Next, talk about creating a rotation.

• Use calendar to post the assignments
  • if you’re tech savvy:
    • create a “lunch menu” calendar you can refer to on your phone {Google is awesome for this}
  • if you’re a touch & feel kind of environment:
    • use a blank calendar sheet that can be posted near lunch box supplies
  • if you’re an ‘on the fly’ kind of soul
    • assign options for days of the week on a blank sheet of paper either in a chart or as a list & utilize it as a reference {don’t forget ListPlanIt.com if you just want to fill in your choices}

Two reasons this works:

1. when a choice is assigned to a day ~ less thinking is required
2. it’s easier to ensure you have what you need when you know what’s coming up in the next week’s options

Now, I know, some of you are resisting already. You’re thinking ~

I don’t want to be stuck with something if it doesn’t sound good that day.

Guess what!!! That means you CAN choose differently ~ that morning. BUT ... if you don’t feel like thinking {or making a decision} you have grab & go solutions at the ready. This would be called ~ the
compromise. Also known as ... a better solution than what you’re already doing ~ that isn’t working {grin}.

3. Prepare accordingly:

When I teach my meal planning class, I remind attendees that grocery shopping isn’t over when you pull in the driveway.

•  
  • Steps that are overlooked:
    • unloading the groceries
    • putting the groceries away

and the most under utilized opportunity?
- prepping the veggies, fruits AND snacks when you’re in the mode of putting things away.

•  

Think about it ~ you’ve done the errand of acquiring the groceries, you’ve put things away ~ why not just keep going & prep stuff while you’re in the kitchen {while you’re already in the mode of figuring out how things are going to fit everywhere}

• Why this is important:

If you’ve done all the prep work after shopping {when you most likely have
more time}, then when it’s time to run out the door {when you most
likely DON’T have more time} you’ll have created a ‘grab & run’
solution.

Wallah!!!

Now, as I mentioned, my kiddos enjoy taking leftovers {I know, weird, huh?}. But just the same, we put dinner away differently now too. I’ve invested in some of the smaller Ziploc containers that fit in their
lunch boxes {or brown paper bag} & they instantly have meal size {healthy} fast food!

Also, when they come home, we have a spot in the pantry dedicated to snacks they don’t have to ask permission to eat. This is great for when they arrive home during my “work hours” & can’t {or shouldn’t} interrupt me.

They’re not left to choose between being hungry or winging it.

The time investment here can be substantial if you’re not savvy about how you “piggy back” your tasks.

Piggy Backing: {organizer’s definition}

1. combining tasks or activities based on where your mindset is at the time.
2. implementing new habits immediately after already established habits

example:

“I’m horrible about taking my vitamins”

solution:

“I’m great about brushing my teeth everyday ~ I will take my vitamins right after I brush my teeth”

Next week we’re gonna head to that scary place of overwhelmed schedules where I’ll teach you my tried & true tip for time management! Till then...

Keepin it tidy,

April

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April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.

While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter

Celebrating the First Day of School | Views on Back-to-School

Thank you for joining us for Views on Back-to-School! VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers about what back-to-school means for them. Today, please welcome Cindy Hopper, author of the blog Skip to My Lou, where she provides tips, recipes, patterns and ideas to help you craft, create and celebrate. Today, Cindy shows us how to start the school year off right with a touch of German festivity. Thanks Cindy!

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Surprises for your Brand New Student

By Cindy Hopper

We were fortunate to live in Germany when our boys started school. Our children attended German schools and we were honored to be included in their traditions. Lucky for us they send children off to school right! We loved the attention to detail and care taken to make the first day of school a special time. The children entering the first class were given a special bright orange hat to let us all living in the village know to take special care and pay attention to these children making their way to and from school for the first time. Before the first day of school the children walk with their families, new back packs and schultuete through the town to the local church where the children receive a special blessing. What special memories we have! Now we live back in the states, but had to share this special tradition with our daughter. 1. The schultuete is traditionally made from a large piece of cardboard (poster board). Usually the children make them in kindergarten and then the parents fill them with surprises. We made one for our daughter by cutting out a pie shape from a large piece of poster board. 2. The cones can be simple to elaborate. Ours was decorated with a ruler lacing the cone together. To make a similar schultuete lay a ruler along one of the straight edges and mark where the holes are on the ruler. Punch holes on those markings. 3. Roll the poster board into a cone shape and mark where the holes are punched.

Punch holes on those markings. 4. Match up the punched holes and hot glue the cone together. 5. Take a long piece of ribbon and feed it through the holes attaching the ruler to the cone.

Tie a bow at the top. 6. Create some fringe for the top by sewing layers of crepe paper together. 7. Snip almost to the stitching line on each side. 8. Hot glue the fringe to the top. 9. Gather and glue tissue paper to the inside all around the top. This will hide the goodies inside! 10. Fill the schultuete full of fun school supplies and candy! 11. Gather up the tissue paper and tie. Our brand new student!

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From hosting a shrimp boil, celebrating holidays, making homemade scratch art paper, sewing gifts and throwing parties to cooking delicious food, Cindy Hopper writes about everything you need to craft, create and celebrate at Skip To My Lou. The site is full of free patterns, downloads and plenty of inspiration. Find Cindy on twitter and Facebook.

Everyone Deserves a Fresh Start | Views on Back-to-School

Welcome to Views on Back-to-School!  VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers about back-to-school. Today, please welcome Ellen Seidman, author of the blog Love That Max, where she discusses kids with special needs and the parents who adore them. Today, Ellen shares how her family's experience of back-to-school may be different from others, but it's still a chance to have a fresh start. Thanks Ellen!

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A New Backpack

By Ellen Seidman

"Mommy, can I get a new backpack?"

That's my five-year-old talking. She's really excited about going into kindergarten, and perhaps even more psyched about all the stuff she might be able to get.
 
"Yes, we'll go to Target and see what they have," I say. Then I pause. I’m thinking about Max, my seven-year-old. He hasn't asked for a new backpack; he can’t talk. He's also not starting school in September, given that he goes to one that runs year-round. But, still, he deserves a new backpack, just like all the other kids. He deserves that fresh start.
 
Back-to-school season is both an exciting and strange time of year for me. Memories of meeting new teachers, seeing friends again and shopping for school supplies come flooding back, giving me a charge. I feel renewed, even though as an adult nothing is really changing for me (well, other than life getting even more hectic). This time of year also gets me a little melancholy, because my son is not experiencing the same childhood I had. He has cerebral palsy.
 
Sabrina's entry into public school is making me acutely aware of the contrast between my kids. One child is doing things the way I did it, one child is markedly not. One child is "typical," as the world defines it; one child is not. And yet, I am determined to even the playing field. I make sure both of my children savor the pleasures of childhood, whether that means spoon-feeding Max chocolate ice-cream or climbing up the jungle gym with him.

I read to them at night separately, since they have different levels of comprehension. I kiss them both so often it’s ridiculous, even while they sleep.

But what to do about Max and his lack of demand for a backpack, something that seems like some quintessential child right? I could program the speech app on his iPad to say: “I want a new backpack.” Or, better yet, I can visit a couple of sites and let him point to what he wants. And that’s what I do.
 
I settle down on the couch with both kids and the computer and we browse backpacks. Sabrina wants a blue one, Max wants something “ur-ul” (“purple.”) He would also like something involving car washes (“ar wahhh!”), his other current obsession, but nothing quite fits that bill.

Sabrina finds her dream backpack. Max falls for a purple lunch pack. I order them. The kids seem happy. I’m happy. Both my kids are now ready for a new year at school…and so am I.

* * *

Ellen blogs daily at Love That Max. She is a magazine editor, a writer, a doer, a dreamer and a professional snacker. On Twitter she can be found at @LoveThatMax

To My Daughter's Teacher... | Views on Back-to-School

Thank you for joining our Views on Back-to-School! VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers about back-to-school. Today, please welcome Danielle Smith, author of Extraordinary Mommy. On her site, Danielle provides vlogging tips and writes about the everyday experiences that make being a parent the best job in the world. Today, Danielle expresses how important it is to have a teacher that really cares about your child. Thanks Danielle!

* * *

A Letter to My Daughter's Teacher

By Danielle Smith

Dear First Grade Teacher~

Somehow sending my sweet girl off to school for first grade was nearly as bittersweet as last year's steps into Kindergarten. I should be good at this by now, right? I've seen her in her uniform. She's been under a teacher's care for the full day. She's come home stronger, smarter and sassier. And yet, I still feel compelled to share a few words with you. I want you to know her. That goofy nature, the desire to make silly faces, the contagious giggle? She gets that from her Daddy. She comes by her love of play and joking ways honestly. From him she has learned to laugh and tease, smile and see the best in almost every situation. The sensitivity? The dramatic? I'll own up to those traits. She and I share those. Oh, and the freckles, too. But that tendency to be a bit shy? She doesn't get that from either of us. That is all her. So is her heart, her kindness, her wish to be independent, her beautiful singing voice, her love of friends and that deep-down-belly-laughter. She doesn't love to read yet, but I'm trying. Math and Science are ok, but art? And music? Just try to stop her. I just want you to know, in walking my little girl into your classroom, I am both excited and apprehensive. I'm thrilled for the adventures that lie ahead of her. I'm delighted she has you to guide her. But I am watching time slip away. With every uniform skirt she dons, every classroom she enters, with every word she learns to read and write, with every moment she lets go of my hand to take a friend's, I am forced to let a little piece of my baby girl slip away. I know you will handle her with care. I have watched you with the children, the eye contact, the smiles, the enthusiasm, the genuine love you share. For this, I am grateful. And if you would, warn her second grade teacher. I don't think I'll be letting go by then either.

Love,

Delaney's Mom

* * *

Danielle Smith is the wife of one of the funniest guys in the world and Mommy to two sweet and sassy small people. In her ‘free time’, she balances work as the founder and primary author of ExtraordinaryMommy.com as well as hosting and producing Bliss TV, creating Vlogging Tips for people looking to jump on camera and traveling around the country to speak on a wide variety of topics ranging from video and vlogging to blogger/brand relationships, the use of social media and the benefits of cause marketing. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Help Back-to-School Jitters with "Hello Teacher Notes" | Views on Back-to-School

Thank you for joining us for Views on Back-to-School! Throughout August and September, VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers about back-to-school. Today, please welcome Amy Mascott, author of teach mama where she provides parents with the tools and resources they need to be the best teachers for their children. Today, Amy shows us how a short note can go a long way towards erasing the anxiety of the first day of school for your little ones. Thanks Amy!

* * *

Hello, School Year, Hello Teacher Notes

By Amy Mascott

Last August, when Maddy began Kindergarten, I was a nervous wreck. Did I do my part to prepare her?  How many sight words did she know? Could she count to twenty? Why didn’t we read more this summer?  Can she even write her full name? OHmygosh, was she even able to recite her phone number and address? Did she know how to open her juice box without help? 

Realizing that I could only do so much to prepare her this late in the game, I decided to focus my attention on something else—someone else—the person with whom Maddy would be spending her loooong days as a big-time Kindergartener. I wanted Maddy to feel as comfortable as possible with this person and maybe feel a little connection with her even before the bell rang on the first day. I switched my focus to her teacher.

Knowing first-hand how incredibly busy the initial weeks of school can be for teachers as they organize their classrooms and prepare their lessons, I wanted to do something that would be easy for Maddy, would take up very little time for her teacher, and would be a little something special for the two of them before they really got to know each other. 

 So I created a Hello Teacher Note—a very basic introduction letter from Maddy to her teacher that included a tiny picture of Maddy in the upper right-hand corner. It’s really very simple; the Hello Teacher Note just includes Maddy’s name and birthday, along with spaces for Maddy to write her favorite food, color, animal, book, holiday, and activity.  It also includes a second page for the teacher to complete. The teacher’s page mirrors the first page but has a little blurb on the bottom that says, “I will pick this up at the Open House, you can leave it in my desk or cubby, or you can mail it to: (space for student’s address)”. 

Maddy delivered her Hello Teacher Note to her teacher’s mailbox one late August morning last year, and even walking up to the building, going into the office and meeting the secretaries, and searching for her teacher’s mailbox helped us all a little. And at the Back-to-School Night, this over-emotional mom could have ugly-cried when her sweet teacher walked over to me and handed me the return letter to give to Maddy. When we read it the next day, my baby was beaming, and she was more excited than ever to hit Kindergarten. 

This year, Maddy, Owen, and Cora each wrote a Hello Teacher Note—Maddy to her first grade teacher, Owen  to his pre-K teacher, and Cora to her preschool teacher--and we set aside one morning to deliver all of the letters. It was seriously exciting for them; I think these letters are a super way of moving gently into the new year, and we’ll be writing them each year for as long as we can.

Even if the year is already underway, Hello Teacher Notes can be used to create a stronger connection between teacher and student. The Notes give everyone a little more of a reason to talk, get to know each other, and realize their commonalities before the year is really up and rolling.

Want to download the Hello Teacher Note to try it out yourself? It’s here as a pdf.

* * *

A Reading Specialist, Literacy Consultant, and freelance writer, Amy Mascott is a mini-van driving mom of three crazy-cool kids, ages 6, 5, and 3. She shares the ways she sneaks a little bit of learning into their every day over at teach mama where she provides parents with the tools and resources they need to be the best teachers for their children. She is also the creator of we teach, a forum for parents and teachers to learn from each other, share ideas, and grow as educators. On Twitter, she’s @teachmama.

Back-to-School Inspirations: Kids Giving Back

VolunteerSpot is all about helping people help others, and this back-to-school season donations are needed along with volunteer hours to ensure that every student has a chance to succeed in school. Today, Lisa Novick, co founder of YesKidzCan, shares an inspirational story of two girls who are working to make a difference in their communities through clothing and school supply drives -- she also provides ways that you too can get involved in making this school year great for everyone. Thanks Lisa!

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Get Inspired By: Share What You Wear

By Lisa Novick
 

It’s back-to-school time. For many, this means the annual ritual of giving away clothes that don’t fit any more and getting some new things for the school year.

While you and your kids are going through this process, take a minute to read about two pretty terrific girls: Zoe Baris and Samantha Zabell from Orange Village, Ohio. Both are only 18 years old and are co-founders of Share What You Wear (SWYW). Four years ago, they began hosting a back-to-school, one-day shopping event each August for needy kids of all ages. They gave away 2,000 items their first event and almost 5,000 last year.

With mentoring by and collaboration with the Cleveland Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the young ladies now accept donations all year; store clothes, shoes, accessories, and school supplies in their basement; and have drop-off sites at their homes and school. Zoe and Samantha are headed to college but they plan to start SWYW sites near their universities and hope that kids of all ages are motivated to create their own local chapters.

Something valuable to think about as we pick out new outfits with our kids for the new school year. If you are interested in making a financial donation to SWYW, go here and specify that your gift is for SWYW. They use monetary contributions to buy new underwear and socks.

Find or Start a Clothing Drive Near You

Here’s another way to teach your kids not just to think about getting themselves ready for school, but also how to help others do the same. Participate in Family Circle and GoodWill’s back-to-school clothing drive.  Joining this Donate Movement is easy:

• You and your kids clean out the closets and bring unwanted clothes to one of more than 3,500 Goodwill donation centers and stores nationwide from now until September 30.

• Set up your own Back-to-School Clothing Drive at your school, office, or anywhere friends and neighbors gather.

Click here to learn more.

* * *

Lisa Novick is a Co-Founder of YesKidzCan!, a do-good company that helps raise kids who like to give.

YesKidzCan! and VolunteerSpot Invite You to Post Kids' Kind Acts on KidzPlace!

Wading Through Piles of Paperwork | Tidy Thursday

Thank you for joining us for the eleventh installment of Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April gives us tips and tricks on how to wade through that pile of important (and not so important) papers on our desks. Thanks, April!

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 Paperwork Woes
 

By April Welch

 

Paper ... the nemesis of all.

Or at least until you’ve figured out a solid system.

{{collective moan}}

Yes, I know. You’ve all tried some sort of system & felt deserted by the end result of success. But if you have found some value in what I’ve already shared over the weeks then I hope you’ll be able to find some sort of reserve of hope in trying the tips this week.

It’s probably easiest to focus on the paperwork that causes the quickest amount of clutter so I thought I’d share my signature “Black Hole Binder” concept.

Here’s the dilemma:

    Floating papers that really don’t belong anywhere:

• sports schedules
• invitations
• neighbors phone numbers
• take out menus
• papers that need signed & returned at a later date
• short term contracts {like volunteer expectations}

Why it’s a problem:

Many of these papers have an expiration date. Unlike your bank statement that you may keep & file away {never to be seen or used again} these documents need to be handy for the appropriate timeline & then can be recycled.

The solution:

Almost every home I work with has the signature bulletin board, refridgerator, corner of the kitchen counter or desk covered with said layers of committments. At some point, someone decides they have had enough with the paper art clutter & go on a tyrant throwing away everything on the surface {including a few of the still important documents}.

Thus, I am called in.

Now the concept is pretty easy, but remember, it’s always hard to change habits at first ~ so go slow & give yourself a little room to be imperfect.

The Container:

• A 3-ring binder can be the best solution ~ if you like binders.

if not:

• A magazine holder can work the same way

Inside the Container:

• Poly Pocketed dividers

How to make it work:

• Consider your pocketed dividers mini containers & label them according to

                  o purpose or task
                        + take out menus
                        + neighbors numbers
                        + invitations
                        + volunteer projects
                  o family member
                        + Mom
                        + Dad
                        + Johnny
                        + Susie

• Now separate your paperwork according to what label “you would think to look in first”
• If you’re using the binder, 3 hole punch the paperwork & put it in the appropriate section
• If you’re using a magazine holder, place paperwork in back pocket of divider & put divider in holder

When new items come in:

• review them
• place them in their ‘home’ {binder or holder}
• & find comfort knowing that you’ll be able to relocate it again

If you’re too busy to review:

• stuff {yes, I said stuff} the paperwork in the front pocket of the appropriate pocket & come back later when you have more time to evaluate

• if you find you don’t have more time later, at least you’ll know where you “laid that schedule down” when Johnny says he has drum lessons this afternoon.

Maintenance:

Maintenance is always the part that is overlooked & ALWAYS the step that is most critical to success of any system.

• Forget “setting a day” to ‘go through all your paperwork’, who wants to do that drab job???

• I say live your life, get out, have some great experiences & next time you have paperwork to put in your system ~ take a few seconds to review what has been hanging out there previously. It takes much less time to clean out a few extra papers when you’re in the mode of making decisions & getting things organized than it is to motivate yourself to give up a few hours of fun in the sun!

Now that we’ve gotten you ready to receive all the incoming paperwork, next week we’re covering “Planning Healthy Lunches” ~ yet another long awaited topic meal planning! Have fun creating your version of the Black Hole Binder ... till next week,

Keepin it Tidy,

April

***

April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.

  While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter

Surprise! You’re The New PTO Vice President! | Views on Back to School

Welcome to the second installment in our Views on Back-to-School blog series! Throughout August and September, VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers on what back-to-school means for them. Today, please welcome Carissa Rogers, author of GoodNCrazy where, as a mom of all trades, she shares parenting dos (and don'ts). Today Carissa relates how her new (and unexpected) leadership role in her kids' school has changed her outlook on back-to-school. Thanks Carissa!

* * *

Time to Learn Some Leadership Skills

By Carissa Rogers

You know how you leave a meeting thinking, “What have I done!”? Last fall I attended the last Parent Teacher meeting of the year. I wanted to congratulate the people who had done a fabulous job, and I was willing to throw my hat in for a nice simple job. Teacher Appreciation? Back to School Night? Read-A-Thon? Perfect for me.

Instead.

I had to go home and whisper to my husband:

‘Um, I’m the new PTO Vice-President’.

He didn’t seem surprised. After all we’ve been in our neighborhood for 2 years and yes, I’ve helped in my kids’ classrooms during parties and math time and reading time but managed to stay away from any leadership roles. 

I guess it’s time. Only, I was imagining a ‘helping’ role… not an IN CHARGE role!

In a few weeks, my kiddos will return to school. This is the second year they will all three officially be IN school more than they’re home. And I’ll be joining them in my own way as I figure out my new job. What needs to be done exactly? How much time do I need to spend? How has it been done in the past? Who do I report to? 

There are a few things I’m super passionate about and other things I’d kick out completely if it were up to me. (Good thing it’s not, eh?!)

First on my list are fundraisers. Hate ‘em. Door to door is seriously not for me. We’re looking into a NON-fundraiser fundraiser. Where we simply ask families to donate a minimum amount per child and if we raise over a certain point, no wrapping paper/cookie dough sales will be needed. One idea we came across was the idea of a "Social," basically a fundraising party, which is great for building community as well as raising funds.

Next is getting my school to end the deluge of papers sent home daily. Each of my kids in elementary school receive the same set of fliers/papers/reminders EVERY day? What a waste! Both financially to the school’s paper budget and in green-think to the planet! There has to be a way to send home one set per family. And then wouldn’t it be great if we could get more families to accept a paperless/internet option for newsletters, lunch calendars, and half-day closing reminders?

Another problem I noticed is the kids have no playground supplies for recess. I asked my 3rd grader last year why she doesn’t play kickball, or jump rope during outdoor time? Her answer: “We don’t have any ropes or big red balls.” How sad is that!? I have big plans to work on a specific funding project just for recess and PE supplies.

One more biggie for me, is that our school’s drop-off/pick-up scene is a nightmare. It’s chaotic, it’s crowded and it’s NOT safe. There has to be a better way, and I’m sure parents have plenty of ideas.

Here’s to a back to school experience where more parents are involved and the educators are more willing to listen to their suggestions! At next year’s final meeting, I look forward to going home and whispering to my husband: “It was a great year, I loved going back to school with my kids.”

* * *

In a former life, Carissa Rogers was a molecular biologist. In her current life, she is the chief researcher of parenting dos (and some don’ts), new recipes, and for spice she pretends to be a photographer. She started blogging in February of 2008 and publishes  her  good & crazy thoughts on GoodNCrazy.com. She has 3 crazy kids and one good husband. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Back-to-School Shopping = Priceless Family Bonding | Views on Back to School

Thank you for joining us for the very first installment in our Views on Back-to-School blog series! Throughout August and September, VolunteerSpot is honored to be featuring guest posts from our favorite bloggers on what back-to-school means for them. Today, please welcome Tina Kelley, author of Mad Hatter Mom where moms, step-moms, and military wives can find solace (and laughter). Tina will be sharing her thoughts on how back-to-school shopping can provide valuable bonding time for siblings of all ages. Thanks Tina!

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Family Bonding During Back-to-School Shopping

By Tina Kelley

I have a little secret to share with you.

The life of a blended family is complicated. Right, I know that's a big shocker. 

See, there are close to 12 years difference between my youngest step daughter and my oldest son. Trying to find family outings that all of us can enjoy is extremely  hard. If a place is perfect for the older kids, it's not age appropriate for the little kids and if it's perfect for the little kids the older kids are going to be bored. 

But there is a certain time of the summer that bridges the gap. You know the time I'm talking about; that time when mothers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief because the countdown has begun. The countdown to the end of fighting, the end of hearing that so dreaded phase, "I'm bored." That's right folks, I'm talking about Back To School time!

Back to School shopping is a time when ALL of my children have a commonality. I get to sit, or rather stand, at the back of the shopping cart and marvel as my kids bond over pencil boxes, folders, and glue sticks. In years past I've witnessed my then 4 and 16 year old crack up laughing over not recognizing a pencil sharpener when they see it. I've been blessed to see my older kids become little ones again as they help their younger siblings pick out the coolest pencils or the most awesome backpack. 

Make Back to School shopping a time when your kids can enjoy one another. If the kids in your household are closer in age, give them their own school lists and partner them up. Give them a budget for the supplies and then set them loose. (It's probably a good idea to research prices first so you can set a reasonable budget.) I think you will be amazed at how they can work together as a team and have fun in the process. And if you are like me and your kids are further apart, still partner them up. The younger kids will look to their older siblings for advice and the older kids will love being idolized. Now I'm not saying you won't have any bickering, they are still siblings; but if you look at the experience as a whole it will be enjoyable. 

With all the other complications of living in a blended family, the visitation, differing parenting styles, and child support, just to name a few; the last thing you need to do is add to the list. 

Whether the age gap is 10 years or 10 months, let them enjoy this bonding time with each other because really, that's what being a family is all about.

* * *

Tina Kelley is a lover of Cherry Coke, books, and great brands. She is the lone author of Mad Hatter Mom, where moms, step-moms, and military wives can find solace. (Or just someone to laugh at.) She resides in Oregon with her two rambunctious kids under 6, and her two lovely step-daughters, thanks to her wonderful airman husband. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

VolunteerSpotlight: Volunteers that Help Make the School Year a Success

Today, our Volunteer Spotlight shines on all of those moms, dads, friends and family members who are the heart and soul of our schools. It's almost time for back-to-school, and VolunteerSpot would like to take a moment, before the school year madness begins, to thank these wonderful people who make such a difference in our children's lives and to our teachers and our communities.

***

Whether it's working at a book fair, running a fundraiser or volunteering in the classroom, volunteers help make our public schools great. Here's a shout out to past VolunteerSpotlight honorees, thank you for all the excellent work you do!:

Molly Austin, Teacher Appreciation Committee Chairperson, Oak Hill Elementary School, Austin, TX.

Jennifer Banks, Co-Room Parent at Oak View Elementary School.

Jill Herring, Book Fair Chairperson, East Side Elementary School, Marietta, GA.

Carol W. Garzillo, Fork it Over Program Coordinator, Beaverton School District

Karyn Ward, Parent Concessions Scheduler for Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas

Carolyn Cunningham, Volunteer Leader for the McDonald School Playground Rebuilding Project in Seattle, WA.

Donna Taniguchi,Walk-a-Thon Chair from Glider Elementary School, San Jose, CA.

Ava Zeligson, Literacy Field Trip Leader for Open Books, Chicago, IL

Brad O'Brien, Backpacks of Food Coordinator, Raleigh-Durham, NC

Shelly-Marie Rios, Volunteer Coordinator for Heart House, Austin, TX

VolunteerSpot is proud to help the efforts of all of these volunteers, and so many more, in the service work that they participate in all year round. Check out how VolunteerSpot's free and easy online volunteer coordination tool can make your back-to-school volunteering as stress-free as possible.

Additional Back to School Resources:

• Back-to-School Sign Up Sheet Examples
• Room Mom Survival Guide & School Party Ideas
• Fun School Carnival Ideas
• Simple Scheduling for Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Bake Sale Ideas, Turn Cupcakes into Cash

-Team VolunteerSpot

A Fresh Start for Back-to-School | Tidy Thursday

Welcome to the tenth installment of Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April gets us ready to tackle the madness of back-to-school by sharing tips and ideas on how to make shopping for this epic event as organized as possible. Thanks, April!

 

* * *

 Back-to-School Shopping
 

By April Welch

 

How long before your student heads back to class, or you begin a fall volunteering project?

For some of my clients a huge {{sigh}} would attempt to release the tension that question creates for them.

“Back to school? Already??”
 

 
Not helping the cause, are the back-to-school ads that began back in July.

For others, back-to-school brings a sense of excitement & opportunity for fresh starts.

I say we go for the “fresh starts” perspective this year & take a look at some of the critical strategies that will help you & your efforts when preparing for this new season.

Turn to the list:

• Many schools print a list of supplies they'd like the students to have come fall.

              o Rely on that & try not to veer too far away

• Parents tend to give-in when their student pleads for the extras

              o Consider a rule for the shopping trip “if it's not on the list, we're not getting it this trip”

• If you're on the volunteering end & need to do the shopping ~ make a list before you go

• As my own kiddos have gotten older I'm surprised at how little of the stuff variety they need

              o Only stock up at back-to-school sales if you know it will get used
              o I no longer buy crayons, but we go through an amazing amount of graph paper!

Shop early in the morning:

For years I've used this trick ~ both shopping for my own kiddos & the middle school students I work with

• There tends to be less people ~ so less crowded
• The area is usually put back together from the night crew the evening before
• If you can't find something getting someone to help seems a little easier {since the store hopefully is slower}

Break up the shopping:

Carry the list with you, if the opportunity strikes to grab a few things ~ do so.

• If you'll be shopping at 3 different locations, try matching it up with days you'll be in that part of town
• If you must get it all done in one day ~ don't make the kids suffer, go alone

Where to utilize the help:

I used to bring the kids with me shopping ~ I felt it helped them suffer learn what it takes to prepare. Now, I do a lot of the shopping part & once I'm home they help with the 'shopping bag to the backpack' prep

Shopping Online:

• I HIGHLY recommend this. Several sites can be very helpful if you know what you're looking for and this is a time you can involve the recipients.

• Also, if you're shopping as a volunteer you can have the supplies “drop shipped” {delivered right to the school or office where you'll be working} 

 

Quality Supplies:

After working one-on-one with middle school students for the last 4+ years I've been able to see which items have a standing chance of lasting the entire school year.

One item I beg ask the parents of 6th graders to purchase is the EZD 1-touch 3-ring binder by Avery. The reason this binder has the “Mental Clutter Coach Seal of Approval” is because of a few key attributes:

• Using two hands to open a 3-ring binder is an unnatural behavior for 11 & 12 year old students
• the 1-touch allows them to use a single finger
• The durability factor is true to it's name
• I've seen these binders shoved, shook, stomped & then slammed into a locker ~ and they still come out in one piece!
• The clear cover appeals to your tween looking for an identity
• slip a skull laden sheet in one week & skillfully drawn flowers the next {saving the cover from the direct abuse}
• and finally, they come in different colors ~ so you can appeal to a color coded system {blue for math, green for science}

They may be a little more expensive to buy, but they'll save you money by not having to replace several binders later in the year.

When I'm asked about organizing students {or those who support them} I often find that the logistics of their system is where the problems begin.

Consider spending some time in this area now, before the 'go, go, go' begins.

Back Packs:

I use to recommend a Timbuk 2 backpack {my kids have used theirs for 6 years & they still look new} but they stopped making the style I recommended. So at this point, you'll be looking for any bag that:

• can hold the capacity of the supplies {my middle school students tote around 2-2” binders everyday!}
• has an opening at the top providing a “bucket” style access
• will offer necessary support when heavy {look for some science in the design here}
• and doesn't have too many pockets {yup, less pockets are better for busy people}

Create a place for all the supplies to belong at home:

• one spot where everything can wait to be used creates a sense of direction
• consider shelving to help keep surfaces clear
• only containerize when it makes sense {more on this next week}

Now I must admit, every year when it comes time to go shopping for back-to-school I shudder just a little bit. But, to be fair, this tradition is where I truly found my start as an Organizer.

I remember being that young student ~ all the fresh new supplies ~ brand new shoes {that I couldn't wear until the first day of school} ~ additions to my wardrobe I couldn't wait to unveil in September ~ and most importantly to my future career … the preparing it all before I used it.

I hope these tips have helped you jump start your Back-To-School shopping & systems! Next week we’ll continue on by discussing how to create solid systems for paperwork! I know, the post you’ve all been waiting for ~ right?

Keepin it tidy,

April

***

April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.

  While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter