The first day of school is almost here! Maybe you've already bought the new clothes, the backpack, the lunch box, the notebooks, and the pencils. But there's one thing you might be forgetting: a desk!
If your child is past kindergarten, then he or she is going to need a comfortable place for homework and studying. A bed, couch, or kitchen table can work in a pinch but a desk creates a special space that's just for school. It will also help your child stay organized by providing storage space for books, binders, and papers.
Fitting another piece of furniture into your child's room might not be easy, so stick with a desk that's compact and won't take up too much space. It's also a good idea to purchase a desk that your child can grow into. Your child probably doesn't need a computer right now but that's a strong possibility for the future. You can make use of the open shelves for stuffed animals and arts and crafts now and as your child grows, he or she can repurpose the desk to fit his or her growing needs.
I like the Gusdorf Student Computer Desk with Bookcase by Ameriwood. The style is light and open so it won't feel like a huge, heavy addition to your child's room. The steel frame in black and pewter metal is also plain enough to match any decor no matter what changes your child's room undergoes as he or she continues to grow. There's a slide-out keyboard shelf, vertical storage, and three spacious shelves. Plus there's a CPU pedestal that can be mounted on the left or right side of the desk. If your child doesn't have a computer, it would make a great nook for a backpack! This computer desk is also really affordable, which means you can start saving for that computer now.
Check back here for more back to school shopping suggestions straight from Mother Goose!
The weeks leading up to the start of a new school year can be filled with excitement and anticipation, but sometimes they're also filled with dread. I know when I was a kid I would get so nervous that I couldn't even sleep! For tweens in particular, going back to school can bring with it a lot of stress, especially since that may mean making the big transition from elementary school to middle school.
I recently stumbled on a Parenting.com article by Nancy Gottesman that addresses co-sleeping with your tween. Parenting conducted a survey on their online network MomConnection and found that 45% of moms who participated in the survey let their 8- to 12-year-olds sleep with them from time to time, and 13% permit it every night. The article talks about how stress can cause tweens to seek out mom and dad's bed when falling asleep becomes a problem.
Not surprisingly, school (friends, grades, bullying) is one source of stress that could keep your tween up at night. Susan Carney a middle school counselor who writes for Suite101.com offers helpful advice on how to tackle typical concerns for middle school tweens. Communication with your tween can reduce stress by addressing their concerns about lockers and schedules before they get out of hand.
Another way to reduce your tween's stress and help them sleep at night is to create a bedtime routine and then stick to it. The start of school means clubs, sports, and homework, which may push back bedtime in order for tweens to get everything done. But if you commit to a bedtime routine for your tween, it can help them relax and prepare for sleep.
If your tween continues to have problems sleeping, I suggest having him or her keep a journal. A journal is a safe place to record fears and concerns, which often seem much less scary once they're down on paper. Encourage your tween to make journal writing part of his or her bedtime routine. Even ten minutes of writing can help. Buy a sparkly notebook or a cool leather journal to make journal writing feel special and important to your tween.
Has your tween experienced back to school stress or had trouble sleeping? I'd love for you to share your experiences with us!
I hate to rush the end of summer but I can't ignore the fact that it's now August and September is not far behind. All too soon (or maybe not soon enough, depending on personal opinion), you'll have to watch that big yellow bus pick up your son or daughter and wisk them away to school. If you're wondering where to start on your "back to school" to do list, I've got a simple suggestion: start with a backpack.
Bazoongi makes adorable backpacks and matching lunchboxes. The designs are just right for little kids whether they're headed to nursery school, kindergarten or even...grade school.
These backpacks and lunchboxes are cute and kid-friendly and the size is just right for younger kids. Plus--thank goodness--both the backpacks and lunchboxes are waterproof inside and out. They're also made of easy-to-clean fabric.
The lunchbox and backpack feature a rubber patch where you can write your child's name in marker so it doesn't get lost (or if it does, whoever finds it will at least know where it belongs!). The lunchbox also has an easy push-n-click handle strap which attaches to the backpack. This makes it easier for your child to carry the lunchbox home and--hopefully--harder to lose it. The lunchbox also features an inner mesh pocket and an elastic drink strap to keep lunchtime organized. As for the backpack, it has an external elastic mesh pocket for quick, convenient storage.
I strongly recommend the pirate pattern, by the way. You really can't go wrong with pirates--for girls or boys.
You'll find a variety of back to school items at All Children's Furniture! Check back here in the coming weeks to find out more.
This is the perfect time of year for trips to the beach, picnics in the park, and concerts on the town green. So how do you tote all your gear and the kids to these summertime events? Just pack everything in a Radio Flyer Wagon and go!
A red wagon is an easy way to pack everything you need, including your kids! Radio Flyer has added big, brawny air tires to many of their classic styles. These are called "all terrain" wagons and, as the name suggests, they can handle any terrain, including sand and gravel. The new tires also make for a much quieter ride than the original molded wheels (though those are still available for those of you who prefer their Radio Flyer Wagons as retro as possible).
I really like the All Terrain Steel and Wood Wagon. It's the classic red wagon with a couple upgrades: the new all terrain tires plus higher wooden sides to ensure that your kids and your cargo stay safely inside the wagon, with no chance to tumble out.
There are a ton of convenient accessories that you can purchase to go with your All Terrain Steel and Wood Wagon or any other Radio Flyer Wagon. Just to give you an idea, there's a Canopy to shade your kids from the sun, a Cooler Pack (which attaches to the back of the wagon) so you can keep snacks and drinks cool, and even Wagon Pad and Side Pads to give your kids an extra cushy ride.
So if you've got more day trips planned for the summer I suggest picking up a Radio Flyer Wagon. It will simply never go out of style and aside from being a convenient towing device for you, it'll entertain your kids for hours of outdoor or indoor play. Find the wagon that's right for you at All Children's Furniture.
In kindergarten, there was one particular day when they took us to the police station. The parking lot had been set up with chalked streets and mini street signs, and we were allowed to peddle around on tricycles. Of course it was to teach us sign recognition, and it did, but most of all I remember it being really really fun.
So imagine my excitement when I found out that Guidecraft makes a set of those very same street signs! The Six Piece Drivetime Signs Set includes Stop, Speed Limit 25, Railroad Crossing, Yield (my personal favorite as a kid), School Crossing and One Way signs. Or you can purchase the Three Piece Set for the basics: Stop, Railroad Crossing, and Speed Limit 25.
These signs are sure to provide hours of active and imaginative play while simultaneously teaching your children the important lesson of how to read and understand street signs. Each sign is 30 inches high and made of weatherproof plastic. Use them outdoors now and bring them inside for the winter.
I can't help thinking that these signs have some serious summer birthday party potential. If you've got a big driveway, or maybe a nearby park, or even a school parking lot that won't be in use over the summer you could set up the signs and use chalk to make roads, a race track, or a maze. Have all the kids bring their bikes or tricycles and let them lose. This would work especially well for a large group of little boys or maybe even a Nascar themed party.
For more indoor and outdoor fun, take a look at all of our Guidecraft toys at All Children's Furniture.
