101 back-to-school tips for kids and parents

Article by Liz Alton July 31,2019 found on Care.com

https://www.care.com/c/stories/3192/101-back-to-school-tips-for-kids-and-parents/

As summer comes to an end and back-to-school season begins, it can be hard to get back into a regular schedule — for both kids and adults. 

To help you out, we asked Dr. Fran Walfish, a child and family psychotherapist and author of "The Self-Aware Parent," and Dr. Christina Nichols, a licensed clinical psychologist, to share their thoughts on how parents can get a jump on the school year. In response, they gave us 101 tips that parents can use to ease their kids back into school, while also managing their own stress. 

The trick is to plan ahead. Read through this list and identify some strategies that you think could help you and your family stay organized and on top of things. Then, test these different approaches as a family so you can figure out which ones work for you, and which ones  don't.

Finally, be sure to include your entire child care crew in your plans, too. Whether you have a babysitter, nanny, tutor or all of the above, they'll be able to help you keep your kiddo on track for the first day of school. Plus, they'll be able to take some tasks off of your plate — which means you can enter the school year with a little more of your sanity intact.

With all this preparation, your kids will be in great shape. If you're relaxed and calm, they'll head off to school feeling excited and ready to get to work.

 

 

What to do with all those fresh Veggies? Try this!

 

Roasted “Flavor Explosion” Veggies Recipe

These caramelized low-histamine vegetables pack a powerful punch of palate-pleasing flavor.

Recipe and photo by Shawna Coronado| July/August 2019

Ingredients:

· Vegetables of your choice, cut into 1-inch pieces

· Olive oil

· Dried herb seasonings, such as Herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning, to taste

· Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, toss vegetables with olive oil.

3. Sprinkle with dried herbs, salt, and pepper, and toss well.

4. Transfer vegetables to the baking sheet, and roast according to the chart at right.

5. Serve immediately, or freeze for up to 1 month. Add to soups and smoothies.

 

Roasting time for vegetables varies depending on the vegetable and how done you prefer them, but follow these general guidelines for vegetables cut into 1-inch pieces and cooked at 425° F.

Cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage):

15 to 30 minutes

Onions: 30 to 45 minutes

Root vegetables: 45 minutes

Summer squash: 15 to 20 minutes

Winter squash: 30 to 60 minutes

Other vegetables: 10 to 25 minutes

 

This looks like a truly fun activity for the kids & maybe pets, this HOT summer!

KidWash 2 : PVC Sprinkler Water Toy

https://www.instructables.com/id/KidWash-2-PVC-Sprinkler-Water-Toy/

By m32825

 

Step 1: Get Your Parts

Head to your local hardware store for the following

3/4" pipe and fittings:
2 ten foot lengths of PVC
3 end caps
1 threaded female hose connector (slip fit)
2 elbow joints (90 degree)
2 T connections
1 pack quarter circle mister jets (12 count)

If the option of chaining your KidWash with other water toys interests you, just pick two end caps and add:
1 threaded male hose connector (slip fit)
1 hose cap

Note: you want the PVC hose connectors, not the more expensive metal fittings. Don't give up if they're not with the other PVC fittings, I found them by the sprinkler parts. 

Step 2: Get Your Tools

A measuring device, pen or pencil, saw, PVC cement, drill, and 5/32" drill bit.

WARNING: Outdoor hoses and sprinklers should be run for several minutes prior to wetting a child to prevent burns.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/9562128/mum-warns-parents-burn-garden-hose-hot-weather/

 

Gardens and Farmer’s Markets are in full swing.

The following is information on ways to take advantage of all this fresh food.

 

Six Simple Ways to Preserve Summer’s Bounty  -  How to save the taste of summer.

By Eva Perroni| August 30, 2017

1. Fermenting    2. Freezing    3. Infusing    4. Canning    5. Drying    6. Donating

       

Preserving Your Summer Harvest - enjoy summer’s bounty for months to come.

Posted on August 23, 2018

Provides Storage and Preservation Suggestions re: Which are the easiest vegetables to store without preserving, the best vegetables for freezing, the most successful canned vegetables and the best vegetable choices for dehydrating.

 

5 Reasons to Prepare Your Own Fermented Food

Reader Contribution By Anne Marie Bonneau| 6/25/2018 5:11:00 PM

1.  Food preservation not food waste    2.  Health benefits    3.  Savings    4.  Low energy consumption, low-tech    5.  Minimal effort                   

                                                         

Fermentation FAQs- Posted on June 24, 2017by The Zero-Waste Chef

Answers lots of questions about the process.

 

 

 

11 Tips for Surviving A Heat Wave Without Air-Conditioning

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD  Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR 

 

1. Use box fans and ceiling fans to promote air circulation throughout your home.

2. Take advantage of the cooling power of water. 

3. Head downstairs.

4. Eliminate extra sources of heat.

5. Remember to maintain an adequate level of hydration.

6. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine.

7. Make a homemade "air conditioning" system.

8. Try to visit public buildings with air conditioning.

9. Don't eat large, protein-rich meals.

10. Be able to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

11. Remember that pets also suffer when the temperature rises.

 

Shared Bedroom Ideas

Do you have more than one child per bedroom or would you like to add a guest area to a bedroom?  

We want to share some clever ways to create a private personal space in a shared room.  As you will see from the pictures and articles referenced, the options are many from screens, curtains and doors to free standing furniture. Each options also has endless décor possibilities.

So, gaze at these pictures and get your imagination juices flowing, and also check out the links below to several articles for even more ideas.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/room-dividers

https://morningchores.com/room-divider-ideas/

https://www.remodelista.com/posts/5-favorites-clever-room-dividers/

https://www.potterybarn.com/tips-and-ideas/no-wall-no-worries-7-room-divider-ideas/?Kenshoo=_k_EAIaIQobChMI59GK0c-q4wIVgUYNCh12fwHGEAMYASAAEgINgvD_BwE_k_&cm_ven=NonBrandSearch&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=NonBrand_Search_DSA_Google&cm_ite=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI59GK0c-q4wIVgUYNCh12fwHGEAMYASAAEgINgvD_BwE

 

Outdoor Fun For All!

Summer just started and the 4th is coming up fast, so we hope you find these outdoor activity ideas helpful for an active and fun filled 4th and summer to follow. 

 

Kids of all ages will enjoy these patriotic-themed games. Easy, and inexpensive to pull off, they're perfect for getting everyone out of the house and into the yard.

https://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/4th-of-july-10-fun-party-games/

 

 

 

These  Pool Noodle Activities will have your kids entertained for hours.  

https://thejoysofboys.com/5-summer-activities-with-pool-noodles/

 

 

 

 

Who doesn't love some Bingo Holiday Style!

http://studiodiy-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/July-4th-Bingo-Printable.pdf

 

Summer Solstice: First Day of Summer 6-21-19    

        

 

Raspberry Lassi 

Raspberry Lassi is a refreshing summer drink, similar to a thin smoothie, originally from India. It is a blend of fruit, yogurt, water, sugar and spices with addition of ice. The most famous is mango lassi, but there is no reason why we couldn’t use any other fruit. This time I used raspberries which are more common to colder regions of the Earth. Instead of more traditional rose water or cardamom, almond extract gives this lassi a richer flavor. Serve this simple Raspberry Lassi for any summer gathering and your guests will be very pleased.

 

Recipe

A traditional Ayurvedic beverage, lassi is India's answer to the smoothie.  Author Sarah Pope MGA

Ingredients:

1 cup yogurt or kefir preferably raw

1/2 cup milk preferably raw

1 cup fresh fruit

2 tsp raw honey optional

2 drops stevia extract optional

1 cup ice optional

Directions:

1. Pour yogurt into clean, wide mouthed, quart sized mason jar

2. Add milk to the mason jar.

3. Add fresh fruit of choice. I used raspberries. Mango cubes, sliced peaches or strawberries work well too.

4. Add optional honey or stevia drops and ice if desired.

5. Blend for 15 seconds with a hand-held immersion blender. If you want to add ice to your lassi, use a regular blender instead of a handheld stick blender.

Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers.

More Recipes

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/lassi-yogurt-drink/

https://twosleevers.com/indian-yogurt-lassi/

https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/sweet-lassi-punjabi-lassi/

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/5-best-lassi-recipes-the-creamy-summer-cooler-from-punjab-1402630

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