Oh, Don't Forget...
Here's the scenario - With the new school year, your family has a busy after-school schedule of lessons and sports practice. You're having a crazy busy day at work; and you remember that you're also supposed to go to a parent meeting at the school. For me, its' definitely a hit-or-miss chance that I'm going to remember that extra meeting once I get into a hectic, but learned routine. If only I could get someone to send me a reminder on the phone while I'm in my car. Ta Da! I just go to Oh, Don't Forget, type in my text message from my computer at work, along with the time I want to receive it on my cell phone. So, while I'm driving down the road happily on my way home, I'll get the text message on my cell - 'Don't forget parent meeting at school 6:30.' It's easy; it's free; what a great tool for busy parents!
Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Healthy Schools Program
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recently announced expanded funding for the Healthy Schools Program. Schools in targeted U.S. states, which have a high rate of childhood obesity, are eligible to participate in a collaborative community program to improve their school meal programs. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a collaboration between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. You can also find information on children's healthy eating habits for parents with a printable sticker chart, a kids' site, and the Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge with Nick.com.
Nick Games
For purely silly fun for kids on the computer, you can't beat the 500 online games at Nick.com. If the heat is keeping your kids indoors, an hour playing games on the computer will entertain them on a hot summer afternoon.
American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics web site has grown to include a wealth of information and tips on children's health, safety, and well-being. Each time you visit, you'll learn something new that will help you improve your child's health. Start in the Parenting Corner, but don't miss the extensive Health Topics section.
MarthaStewart.com
Martha Stewart's web site is full of creative ideas for cooking, crafts, gardening, parties, and kids. Click on Kids for imaginative crafts, projects, and parties. Full illustrations and step-by-step instructions make these great projects doable, though my results are never as good as Martha and her gifted staff can do!
RIF Summer Reading Guide
RIF is a great site for tips to motivate young readers and ideas for family fun. The 2007 Summer Reading Guide has three fun ideas - Reading Raffle, Book-nic, and Backseat Scavenger Hunt. Find even more ideas for fun summer activities with kids in the Eight Weeks of Fun Activity Calendar.
Wondertime
Wondertime is a beautifully designed magazine with a modern feel for parents of younger children. The web site for the magazine has the same clean look and feel and is a fun stop when surfing sites on parenting. While it's geared to parents of preschool children, I think parents of young elementary children will enjoy many of the features, such as the recipes and creative spaces. It also offers some cute printable cutting and craft projects. One of my favorite features at Wondertime is the Instant Journal. Print the pretty journal pages that contain prompts for writing about your child through the years.
Smilebox
We've been having a great time creating photobooks and greeting cards from our digital photos with Smilebox. The designs are so cute and they keep adding new ones all the time. I've paid for some of the premium designs, such as the Simply Photos book and used it for a variety of purposes. You can also create slideshows, scrapbooks, and postcards. They now have capability for video in your creations.
