Author: Sarah Lyons
Family vacations are a great way to enjoy time away from the daily routine and create lasting memories. But if you are anything like me, packing for a family trip can be overwhelming, especially if you have multiple kids to pack for. As a mom of six I’ve learned the hard way how to make our vacation packing more efficient. Start by making a master list. If you don’t have a list, you are bound to forget things. I have a list on my computer that I can copy, paste, edit, and print each time we are going out of…
In today’s digital age, families are spending more time inside and less time exploring nature. Studies show that kids who spend time outside have better overall health and fitness levels, report better vision, less stress and depression, and are more likely to have good social skills. The National Wildlife Federation also reports that “spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.” As kids spend more and more time watching TV and playing video games on a daily basis, only about 10% of kids say they are…
Everyone enjoys participating in an Easter egg hunt in the community or with family, but if your family is anything like mine, we have an abundance of plastic eggs leftover after our yearly egg hunts. Here are some ways you can repurpose the eggs that are fun for kids as well: Memory Game Open the plastic egg and set each half on the table. Hide small items like paper clips, coins, or erasers under each egg. (You will need two of each item.) Play memory and have your child pick two eggs to lift and they can collect them if…
Pet ownership can bring joy and happiness to any home. For children with sensory processing disorder, autism, ADHD, and social or behavioral issues, adopting a domesticated pet can provide wonderful benefits. Here are some great reasons to consider adding a pet to your family. Helps Grow Social Skills Kids who spend time playing with a pet typically enjoy interacting with people more than kids who don’t own a pet. They also learn to develop skills such as interpreting nonverbal cues and trust. Owning a pet can also encourage empathy towards animals and humans alike. Lower Stress Having a furry friend…
An individualized education plan (IEP) is a key component of your child’s special education plan. By law, schools are required to provide services to kids who qualify. An IEP meeting is where goals will be set and which services will be provided are decided on by both educators and the child’s guardians. This can be very intimidating for parents. With preparation and research prior to the meeting, parents will feel more informed and confident during the meeting. The time spent before will lead them to be better advocates for their child, while developing a plan that will help the child…