Ways to Get Involved in Your Child's Education in Elementary School

Even if we are not the ones going back to school, you will soon learned that you do have "homework" when it comes to our child's education.

Research has found that parental involvement is the single most important factor influencing a child's education according to Dr. Mary Lou Fuller, profession in the Center for Teacher and Learning in the University of South Dakota. 

Parental involvement can take different forms which we are about to share. In today's post we will list the different ways you can get involved when your child goes to Elementary School, and in our next post, when your child goes to middle school.   

Health Safety Tips: What to Do About Spider Bites

It is not unusual to be bit by a spider so it is a good idea to know what do to do about spider bites.  According to Kidshealth.com, you should take the following steps:

Cooking Tips on How to Cook Fresh Sweet Corn

I love to read Tony's Produce Blog from Peapod.com.  This time he shares delicious cooking tips on how to cook fresh sweet corns.  Because sweet corn is in its prime season, it is the time to include it in your meals as much as you can, and kids love it.

4 delicious ways to cook your fresh sweet corn:

Fitness Buzz: The Benefits of Interval Training

Do you want to get into shape fast? Do you want an effective workout you can do in a short amount of time? Do you want to feel exhilarated when you finish your workout?

If you answered yes to these three questions, then interval training is the workout for you. Interval training is cardiovascular exercise that combines short bursts of intense cardio alternated with easy-does-it periods of rest. It can be done with any workout that gets your heart rate up, and since it’s so hot outside right now, any cardiovascular machine—like a treadmill, stationary bike, or an elliptical trainer—you can find at the gym will work out just fine.

A Great Way to Spend Time with Your Family

In this busy modern world, spending time with the family seems a challenge sometimes.  Between the kids' activities, work for some moms, social life and house chores, it seems the options to spend time with the family are greatly reduced. 

Book Buzz: "How Not To Look Old" Beauty & Style Guide

Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter and 10 Times Better after reading what has been called "The beauty and style bible for every woman"! A must read for moms is "HOW NOT TO LOOK OLD" by Charla Krupp.

Within this book are cheat sheets of to-dos and fast fixes that pay-off big time. Tips from all from the best hair pros, makeup artists, designers, dermatologists, cosmetic dentists and personal shoppers in the biz are shared in this book. Packed with eye-opening details on hair color, brows, lipstick, wrinkle-erasers, jeans, shape wear, jewelry, heels, and more, this book speaks to every woman: from low maintenance granola girls to high maintenance glamorous girls.

Style expert Charla Krupp dishes out her secrets in this "ultimate" to-do list for looking hip and fabulous -- no matter what your age. You can purchase this book on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Look-Old-ebook/dp/B0013DH2CC

It comes in a hard, soft and kindle version! It is $9.99 for the soft cover book!  A must have for every busy mom and women!

Letitia George for TheMomsBuzz.com

Deal of the Month: 30% Off on Cabinets for Your Home!

If you are a resident of the DC Metro Area and have been thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bath, you may want to take advantage of this great deal!  Signature Kitchen, Bath & Closets is having a special  is offering 30% off of all cabinets, kitchen or bath for readers of The Moms Buzz!!  

Visit Signature Kitchen Bath Closets and get an idea of what your bath and kitchen could look like if you leave it Farah, the owner, or any of her in-house designers! You will be wowed!  It does not have to be expensive to be beautiful is Signature's motto!  Get an appointment and a quote and then go from there!

To get the promotion, just tell them that you found out about this promotion at TheMomsBuzz.com.  Whether you will get your remodeling done this month or later, Signature will honor the special discount when you mention us!

- The Moms Buzz

Advanced Night Repair Eye Product Review Part II

This is part II of the product review of Estée Lauder’s newest version of its Advanced Night Repair Eye. As you will remember, in my last post, I had mentioned I had seen noticeable improvement around my eyes. After just a little more than a week, I could see my eye area looking more refreshed and revitalized. 

Now that I have tested the product for almost 4 weeks, I can tell you about other improvements I have noticed.  One of the most noticeable changes I can identify without a doubt is my skin tone around my eye area looks more even.  I had a little of an uneven skin tone due mostly to sunspots. These undesired patches on around my eye area look brighter and easier to cover with concealer!  Love it! This improvement is thanks to Advanced Night Repair Eye synchronized complex and a powerful AGT technology, which together help protect and continuously repair the appearance of past damage.

Book Buzz: Great Get-Togethers: Casual Gatherings and Elegant Parties at Home

I am one of those moms who love to have people over.  Lately, I have been a bit lazy about having people over with the children at home.  Let's admit it entertaining is a lot of work, but it is so much fun though. What I love the most, besides the great company and time you have with your friends or family, is all the planning and preparation. 

Beauty Monday: Busy Mom's Morning "Must Do" Beauty Tips

Being a busy mom on the go does not always lend itself to a full night's rest nor plenty of time to get ready in the morning. Nevertheless, you would prefer not to look like you just rolled out of bed every morning, even though you may have done just that. Here are a few quick and easy tips to maintain a bright fresh look in five minutes or less.

10 Ways to Get Organized for Back to School

Many of us have not taken our vacation yet, and we are starting to get bombarded with "Back to School" stuff.  This post is meant to help you out in the transition once you have taken your vacation or have completely relaxed before the school year starts again.  So, don't feel the pressure yet! ;)

These 8 ways to get organized for back to school will save a lot of time and anxiety later.

1. Shift your schedules. The unstructured days of summer are ending, so ease your kid back into a school schedule by shifting his bedtime back to a school-day bedtime and waking him closer to the hour he'll need to rise.

2. Have a morning routine run-through. The week before school starts, start getting your child up, dressed, and fed in the same time as you would on a school day.

3. Clean closets and study areas. Go through your child's clothes and get rid of anything he's outgrown or worn out. Do a thorough cleaning of his room and study area as well, storing papers and books he won't need this year to make room for new books and supplies.

4. Stock up on supplies and clothing. Make a list of everything she'll need for the coming year, from socks to crayons.  Take advantage of back-to-school tax-free days. Many states have it. Find out when your state's is scheduled for, and try to do the shopping then for some extra savings!

5. Get papers in order. Get all paperwork filled and read that your child will need to start. Take care of any missing vaccinations or health forms ASAP.

6. Update your calendar.  A calendar is a great tool for staying organized and managing the kids’ busy schedules. Take the time to add school-related items to your calendar, like half-days and holidays. Also, fill in your kids’ regular activities, like soccer practice, ballet, or karate. Modern moms rely on smart phones to keep track of kids' agendas and use a color-coding system for easy spotting. Since you can do this on the go, do it on the go as you learn what the activities, times and locations are going to be.

7. Create a File Central. Set up file bins marked "To be Signed," "From School," and "To School," so your child can deposit papers you need to see in a regular place right after school and pick up things to go "To School" each morning.

8. Get doctor's visit out of the way.  It is always a good idea to set up well-being, dentist, and other doctor appointment done and out of the way before school starts.  Agendas tend to get super busy once school starts so make an effort to get this done before. 

9. Get your car to service.  This is something moms hate to do, at least, I do.  I do not like to give up my car just as much as I don't like leaving my home without my cell phone anymore.  But, it a necessary evil because later in the year once school starts, it becomes a challenge to leave the car at the shop or dealer's for service, inspection, emission, etc.  Do it now while you can! It will save you a scheduling and logistical headache!

10. Plan breakfast and lunchbox menus.  I usually have have breakfast menu at home.  It not only allows me to know what to prepare early in the morning when I am half awake, but also kids already know what to expect the night before or when the wake up.  It does help in keeping the whining and drama around breakfast time.  In parallel, keep a menu for lunchbox for the same purposes. It makes your morning smoother.  I allow my children to buy lunch once a week so that they choose whatever they like to eat off the school's cafeteria menu.  They love it and it gives a nice break. I do it on Fridays!

- The Mom Buzz

This post has been sponsored by Target.

4 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Pet, While Saving Money

Buying a pet and using pet care products that are both healthy and better for the environment are often expensive choices, making it difficult to find and provide the absolute best for our furry friends. But there are plenty of ways to save costs on purchasing a pet and providing healthy pet care—making you and your pet happy. Below you will learn about 4 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Pet, While Saving Money:

Advanced Night Repair Eye Product Review: The Start of a Love Story

Did you know that the skin area around your eyes is 4 times thinner than anywhere else on your face? Although I knew the eye area was more fragile, I never would have thought of 4 times thinner! That’s quite delicate!!  And, therefore, we need to protect it with the latest and proven most effective technology out there.

This is why I agreed to do a product review of Estée Lauder’s newest version of its Advanced Night Repair Eye.I have tried many eye products from over the counter brands to renowned brands at department stores, looking for the one that works for me. For some reason, the eye cream is one skincare product unlike the others that I find hard to see the benefits it claims.

Kidz Bop 18 Summer Soundtrack is Almost Here!

With summer in full swing, family road trips, pool parties, backyard BBQs…and listening to your favorite summer songs is what makes our summer time unforgettable and super fun!

Wouldn't kids love some "icing on the cake" in their summer memories?  Of course, they would! KIDZ BOP 18, the latest release in the best-selling kids’ music series, is the perfect summer soundtrack for kids.  It’d be a great addition to any kids’ music features and roundups, or tips for providing fun ways to get kids up off the couch and moving this summer.  My kids collect the series of KIDZ BOP!

You can get yours on July 20 at iTunes.com, kidzBopshop.com or wherever CDs are sold.

Have a rocking summer!

- The Moms Buzz

Avoid the Talk-Persuade -Argue-Yell Hit-Syndrome

Many adults enter parenthood with visions of "picture perfect" children. They imagine a warm and loving home, as well as respectful and polite kids, all eagerly doing whatever is asked with only an occasional explanation from Mom or Dad.

As a veteran parent, you know this is not reality.  But many parents have the idea that kids are just smaller versions of adults: reasonable and unselfish. This is the "Little Adult Assumption." Moms and Dads who embrace this myth often prefer the "modern method" of discipline-talking and reasoning. Unfortunately, many times words and reasons alone prove unsuccessful. Sometimes they have no impact at all, and then parent and child fall into the trap known as the Talk-Persuade-Argue-Yell-Hit Syndrome.

This tragic sequence results from the very best of parental intentions. Your child is doing something you don't like. You tell her to stop. She continues her misbehavior, so you try persuading her to see things your way. When persuasion fails, you start arguing. When arguing is not successful, you yell. Yelling fails, so-feeling there is nothing left to do-some parents turn to hitting. The two biggest parenting mistakes-too much talking and too much emotion-trigger the Talk-Persuade-Argue-Yell-Hit Syndrome.

- The Moms Buzz

Source:
ParentMagic Newsletter by Dr. Thomas Phelan © 2010
Simple, straightforward parenting advice and helpful tips from Dr. Phelan's award-winning, best-selling 1-2-3 Magic Parenting Program.

Beauty on a Budget: Vitamin A Homemade Facial

As moms on the go, we do not always have time nor the money to make standing appointments at our favorite high-end spas. But our tight schedules and budgets should not keep us from enjoying great facials every now and again.

Fourth of July Etiquette

One of the highlights of the summer is the 4th of July Holiday when we commemorate the Declaration of Independence of the USA.  Chances are you and your family are invited to a 4th of July Party, and you may be wondering what is the etiquette for such a holiday party. Someone Spoil Me tells us the top 4 things to know before attending this year's Fourth of July party.   

Fourth of July Etiquette by SomeoneSpoilMe.com

1. RSVP:  When people go out of their way to invite you to their party, you must respond.  You CANNOT just ignore the invite and you certainly CANNOT just attend the party.

2. Bring a Gift: Since the host is "hosting" a party it appropriate to bring something that she can easily use at the party.  Meaning a box of cookies in an attractive tin that she can simply set on the table  or festive lollipops that can be also be used as a centerpiece on a side table.  The last thing the host wants is a bouquet of flowers that does not come with a vase; she has been in the kitchen all day - so unless you plan on helping her (obviously not) bring the flowers in a vase.

3. Remember, You are the Guest:  While you may think that there is a better way to set up the dessert table or grill the burgers, remember that this is not your party.  Don't be a backseat driver. 

4. Don't overstay your welcome. While Fourth of July parties do not typically have a definitive ending time, remember that the host has been preparing all morning and is probably pretty tired.  Respect her and leave before your children get cranky!

By the way, www.SomeoneSpoilMe.com also has a wonderful selection of gift ideas for your host/hostess.

- The Moms Buzz

source and image: www.someonespoilme.com;

Fireworks Safety Guidelines to Celebrate 4th of July!

4th of July means celebrating with fireworks and BBQs.  Because we want to keep the celebration going well from the start to the end and have a safe holiday weekend, let's make sure follow these safety guidelines suggested by the Fireworks Safety Organization, especially when children are around:

Event Buzz: Preschool Event & Book Signing at Pottery Barn Kids

For those mommies with preschoolers you may want to attend this event at Potter Barn Kids stores nationwide.  Here's the scoop:

Deal of the Week: 50% Off At Martin + Osa - Stores Are Closing!

This is an online only promotion and all sales are final.  Here is the deal:

• 50% off your entire online order.
• No coupon is necessary. Discount is automatically applied at checkout
• No refunds or exchanges so make sure you love what you are getting!

Why no exchanges, price adjustment or refunds?  Because American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is closing its Martin + Osa concept, including stores and the online business.

Get what you need like, say, NOW!

- The Moms Buzz