Thursday, April 16, 2015 is the day for on-time registration for  the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond, as well as the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George and Sussex.

It’s important to register by the registration on April 16 so you don’t miss any important information, teachers can be well prepared for your child in the classroom and school can prepare with enough staff and materials for a great start to the new school year.

Registering your first kindergartner? Get started now.
There’s quite a bit of paperwork involved and you may need a little time to get everything together.
Here’s your Kindergarten Checklist (Download and print one here):

-Child’s official, certified birth certificate

-Child’s Social Security card

-Proof of address

-School Entrance Health Form

-Photo ID for parent of legal guardian

Get more information plus contact information and registration times and locations at Smart Beginnings.

Don’t forget!
 Download & Print our Kindergarten Registration Quick Guide Here

]]> http://richmondmom.com/2015/03/17/its-kindergarten-registration-time/feed/ 0 http://richmondmom.com/event/back-to-school/ http://richmondmom.com/event/back-to-school/#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2014 16:31:27 +0000 http://richmondmom.com/event/back-to-school/1970-01-01/ Children will listen to stories about going back to school, talk about their first days in school, illustrate themselves at school, and learn school bus safety. Repeats September 17 and 18.

By Dr. Elizabeth M. Vantre

You learned through a parent volunteer that not only did your child’s class get a visit from the ice cream truck for good behavior, but your child got the only A+ on the science test.  Why is it then when your child gets off the bus, you excitedly ask, “how was school,” only to receive a simple, “fine”?  You follow with “What did you do today,” only to receive every mom’s favorite response “stuff.”  The eight hours your child has been gone, a time that was likely filled with a plethora of new experiences, is summed up in one lonely syllable.

Try these tools to elicit more than one word responses from your child:

•    Give your children a chance to decompress.  Give them an opportunity to get a snack and run around for a bit before specifically asking them about their day.  Tell them how great it is to see them when they bounce off of the bus and save the questions for later.

•     Ask open-ended questions.  Questions such as “how was school” or “how are you” lend themselves to one word responses.  Try open-ended questions such as “tell me about school today” or “tell me about the playground at recess.”  Refrain from following up with specific questions like “did you like your teacher,” but rather try open ones such as “tell me about your teacher.”  When picking up my 8 year old from his first day at a brand new school recently, his older siblings peppered him with specific questions only to receive one-word general responses.  When I interjected with “tell me about…” my twelve year old groaned, “Mom ALWAYS says that and I never know what to say.”  While true that he may have to think a little more, he always relays more than a single syllabic response.

•    Remain open, approachable and ready to listen.  Kids will tell you the most surprising things during random moments.  I have found that by being available to listen works wonders.  After my 8 year old survived the inquisition from his siblings, it was actually several hours later that he opened up about his day.  I was sitting on my bed reviewing some papers when he crawled up next to me and started to share thoughts about his teacher and new school.  It can be quiet times like this one or in the car when kids are not face-to-face or it could be among the chaos of dinner prep and homework that kids tend to open up.  Make every effort to listen without judging or jumping right in with specific questions, especially if your child is sharing something that is bothering him.  Actively listen and acknowledge their feelings by saying things such as “That must have been a fun gym class or I’m sorry that happened in lunch, that must have been upsetting.”

•    Games are great to get conversation flowing.  Games such as “High/Low” or “Rose & Thorn” prompt kids to relay the best and worst part of their day. Our family goes around the dinner table nightly highlighting the positive (Roses) and negative happenings (Thorns) of our day.  Sometimes Rose & Thorn will apply to more general happenings such as the highs and lows of summer or particular experiences like a birthday or camp.

Refer to Dr. Liz Vantre’s new book, Ready, Set, Parent: Dr. Moms’ Guide to Parenting, for more expert parenting advice

Ready, Set, Parent is available locally at Hip to Be Round in Carytown as well as online at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com

About Dr. Vantre
Dr. Elizabeth M. Vantre studied psychology at Wake Forest University and earned her doctorate in School Psychology from Temple University.  She is the mother of four children (ages 7, 8, 10 and 12) and is currently employed as a psychologist at The Steward School in Richmond, Virginia.  Dr. Vantre has been helping parents find success at home for over fifteen years. She has been employed in a variety of settings including public and private schools, health care facilities, and juvenile detention centers.

 

Dr. Vantre has recently published the book Ready, Set, Parent: Dr. Moms’ Guide to Parenting with her co-author, fellow psychologist, and good friend, Dr. Samantha Dawson.  With a combined 20 years of providing parenting advice both professionally and informally, raising 6 children (Liz has 4, Sam has 2), surviving 14 years of motherhood and enjoying 12 years of friendship, Liz and Sam have enough experience, insight, empathy, practical and proven strategies, real life case examples, and humorous anecdotes to fill a bookshelf. 

 In addition to speaking engagements regarding her book Ready, Set, Parent, she is also a contributor to the website Soccerparenting.com. 

 

On his first day of Kindergarten, my oldest happily skipped down the steps of the bus and told us about his adventures on his first day of school. And then, he casually asked, “Mommy, what is the F-word?” I gasped. After I had regrouped, I told him that was a word that we didn’t use. Although he insisted on knowing what it meant, of course, I didn’t tell him. I went to bed that night feeling jaded about society and how we can’t protect our children from hearing inappropriate words, seeing graphic images, or whatever else I hadn’t even had a chance to worry about yet.

A few weeks later, my son came home after school and solemnly said, “Tell me the truth, Mommy. Is a weasel a fart?” I answered yes. With an injured look on his face, he accused, “I didn’t know that! You could have TOLD me! Everyone knew but me!”

You see, it had all started so innocently. When my oldest was in daycare as a baby, our daycare provider called passing gas a “weasel”. It originated from “Pop, goes the weasel”.  Anyhow, somehow the name of this bodily function stuck in our family. It was a handy term, since nobody else knew what it meant. In a house where I am outnumbered by males and testosterone runs high, the word was used as defined in number three below. Although the origins of this word in our household designate it as a noun, over time, it also came to be used as a verb as demonstrated below. And, let me tell you, hilarity ensues when weasels happen (although I am the only one not laughing).

wea·sel

ˈwēzəl/

1. noun
   
   • a small, slender, carnivorous mammal related to, but generally smaller than, the stoat.

2. informal
   
   • a deceitful or treacherous person.
   • flatulence, passing gas, fart.
     
3. verb
   
   • achieve something by use of cunning or deceit.
     “she suspects me of trying to weasel my way into his affections”
   • passed gas, farted “I accidentally weaseled”

As my boys are growing up faster than I can sometimes handle, it seems as if my oldest is leading the way. He led the way by telling me a few years ago that he wanted to go into the men’s restroom and no longer felt comfortable going into the ladies’ room with me. I am not sure when it happened, but he loathes the word “potty” and now emphatically calls it the “restroom”. Both of my boys reassure me that they will always call me “Mommy” (seriously?).

Are there words in your household that you don’t use any more because they are considered too “babyish”? If so, what are they and was it your idea to stop using these words or your child’s idea?

Have a great school year everyone!
Anticipate the nerves. Leaving home for the first day of school can be nerve-wracking at any age. However, for young children, nerves can set in and that means their first day can go from exciting to scary. In order to make sure that your child has a stress-free first day, try Kids Relief With Calming Effect Syrup! This safe, homeopathic product is perfect for children suffering from hyperactivity and restlessness! It also cures irritability and nervousness, two symptoms that can arise for kids on the first day of school! Not only is Kids Relief with Calming Effect Syrup easy-to-administer and delivers fast-acting relief, but there is no risk of overdose! Kids Relief With Calming Effect Syrup is available at CVS locations nationwide, and retails for $6.99  

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. When a new school session starts, one thing increases – the possibility of a lice outbreak. Though, before your worries get the best of you, start preparing in advance. Fairy Tales Lice Good-Bye Survival Kit includes everything you need to get rid of lice naturally and effectively! By having this kit stored in your house, you will know how to instantly combat the critters if your child comes home itching his/her head. The kit includes Lice Goodbye natural lice treatment, the #1 metal Terminator Nit-Free removal comb, an Easy-Grip sectioning clip and Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray. The kit is pesticide-free, safe for repeated use and retails for $29.95 at all Ulta and Bed Bath & Beyond locations nationwide, and online at fairytaleshaircare.com. By purchasing Fairy Tales Lice Good-Bye Survival Kit in advance, you will be ready to concur your child’s lice outbreak when it occurs.   

Get your child excited for school. Sending your child off with a pout on the first day of school is not good. What is the best way to get your kid pumped for the new school year? Shopping, of course! Kids love back-to-school shopping because they get to pick out all the latest and greatest gear to show off to their friends. Dabbawalla Bags have perfect products from backpacks to lunchboxes that will leave your kids grinning from ear to ear. Not only are they cute for your kids entertainment, but they also are functional! Created by a pair of sisters frustrated by the lack of functional, appropriately-sized bags available for children, Dabbawalla Bags are designed specifically for pre-school and early elementary school children. Their backpacks and lunchboxes are durable, usable and fully washable, and are available in wholesome, colorful designs that are free of cartoon characters. They’re also made with eco-friendly materials free of PVC, BPA, lead and Phthalates. Your kids will surely be excited to show off their new backpack and lunchbox to their friends and you will be happy knowing that the products are both environmentally friendly and functional. Backpacks retail for $40 while Lunch Bags retail for $24 and up, and can be purchased at dabbawallabags.com.   

Know the school‘s policies. Most schools do not allow students to chew gum, and for some kids, that means they will be worrying about their breath after lunch. Lucky for kids, there is a solution to the no gum rule! Spry Gem Mints are a new treat that do more than just freshen breath – they actually improve oral health! Gems are sweetened with 100% xylitol, an all-natural, tooth-protecting substance. Available in berry, cinnamon, spearmint and peppermint flavors, each container holds about 40 mints. One pack of mints retails for $1.99 and a 6-pack of mints retails for $11.94 online at www.xlear.com. Now your child can pop in a mint and not feel embarrassed and as a parent, you will be happy knowing that they are eating something with health benefits.

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Thankfully some creative moms have come up with some small or portable ways to create a homework station wherever you have the space:

DIY Seat Sacks
Scissors & Spatulas

These easy to make cute little sacks hang on the back of a chair to keep papers from cluttering up the table.

Over the Door Organizer
A Bowl Full Of Lemons

Put those doors to work & keep homework and craft supplies in over the door organizers.

Portable Homework StationFirst Home Love Life

Create one of these homework stations for each child and stack them up!

Rustic Wood Homework Station
Love Grows Wild

This cute little homework station is sturdy and easy to move from place to place and fits in nicely with a rustic decor.

DIY Mail/Homework OrganizerNoodlehead

This was originally made to be a mail organizer but we love it for storing school forms, homework and other important school related stuff.

Flip Down Desk
Found on Ana White

Chalkboard by day, desk by homework time.  This chalkboard cleverly conceals a flip down desk.

Vintage Library Cart Homework Station
4 Men 1 Lady

This clever little work station now has me scouring the interwebs for a metal library cart.  This cute vintage inspired work station is color coded for each kid.

Homework Study Station
Mom Advice

I could have used this growing up! For the easily distracted kid (or ones who just can’t resist reaching over and poking their brother in the face) this study station keeps the focus on homework and can be folded up and put away when the work is done.

Lazy Susan Work Station
Home Stories A to Z

I’ve seen lazy susans used to store school and craft supplies before but what’s kinda genius about this one is the clever use of magnets so you can still take your jar without having to worry about the buckets flying off. Smart move, mom!

Laundry Room / Homework Station
Teal and Lime

Who says homework or crafts should be done on in a bedroom or an office?
Borrow some space from an unlikely place, like an over sized laundry room for example.

Have any great ideas on how to maximize a small space during homework time?
Any great organization tips? Tell us in the comments below!

Want more?
Check out our
Back to School Survival Guide for Students

To celebrate the opening the Homeschool Resources Group is hosting an open house Tuesday August 26 1-6pm.
Attendees will be able to register for classes on side, swap curriculum and free chess lessons will be offered.  Seminars will begin at 1pm.

Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) Seminars:

1pm – How to Begin Homeschooling: What You Really Need to Know! This informative workshop will help new homeschoolers get off to the right start by answering many common questions: Am I qualified? How do I prepare? Where can I go for help? How do I teach more than one child? What things should I never do? What are some secrets of success? And more!

2pm – Know the Law: Notifying and Testing Demystified Don’t let the legalese confuse you! Find out what requirements you must meet in order to homeschool, what tests or evaluations you may use, whom you should notify and when, and what to do if you are homeschooling because of your sincere religious beliefs.

3pm – How to Choose Curriculum Get a brief overview of six different teaching methods—from the classical approach to relaxed homeschooling. Hear lots of practical suggestions for choosing curriculum and where to find the resources you need.

4pm – Struggling Learners

5pm – Robotics information Session Interested in learning more about FIRST Robotics?  Starting at age 6 and continuing through age 18, participants master skills and concepts to aid in learning science and technology through innovative projects and robotics competitions, while gaining valuable employment and life skills.  Learn more about this exciting family of programs, and how you can get involved.

With school starting so early, it can be hard to get a healthy breakfast in the kids (or yourself) before they need to get on the bus.  Say goodbye to the cereal bowl, here are a few heat-and-go breakfast recipes to get your day started.

Spinach and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
Macheesmo

Pop these sammies in the oven right after you pour your cup of coffee and they’ll be ready by the time the kids are up and dressed.

Cinnamon Apple Pancake Dippers
Mother’s Niche

Not only are these cute, but they are freezable too and double up as a great lunch idea!
Make your own variation with blueberries, strawberries or, if you’re into it, bits of bacon.

Sausage Pancake SandwichesCrazy Adventures in Parenting

It’s pig in a blanket breakfast style.  Fold these pancakes over breakfast sausage for a breakfast that is sure to keep them running until lunch.

Freezer Sausage Burritos
Raining Hot Coupons

Have your eggs and sausage and make it to the bus stop too!

French Toast Roll-ups
The Girl Who Ate Everything

Cook these completely before you pop them in the freezer then pull out a few in the morning and reheat in the oven.

Cinnamon Toast The Right Way
The Pioneer Woman

Because The Pioneer Woman does pretty much everything right. Cinnamon toast and bananas for breakfast anyone?

Homemade Pop Tarts
Hellobee

Pop-tarts may be tasty but they certainly aren’t part of a healthy breakfast.  These whole wheat pop tarts are a tasty alternative to the store bought ones.

Overnight Pumpkin Oatmeal with Cinnamon & Sugar PecansBusy Mommy

Make this the night before and warm it up in the microwave, add the sugar pecans for adults and skip that step for picky kids.

 Savory Breakfast Muffins Domestic Servitude

These savory muffins are easily microwavable and one batch makes up to 24 breakfasts!

Omelet and Potato Breakfast
Ella Claire Inspired

Like your omelet with a side of hash browns? These are all packed into one easy to nuke cup.