Back-to-school tips from Fort Wayne Family

By Grace Housholder graceh@kpcnews.net

Monday, 10 August 2009 14:46

Hello!

I hope you are having a wonderful summer. As you read this, many of your thoughts are probably focused to back-to-school. There are many little things you can do for “less stress back-to-school success.”

Here are a few great tips from Diane Shoppell of Angola. Diane is a Teachable Moments mentor with Before5.org.

• Avoid the back to school store ad hype by doing a little homework of your own: Does your child’s school have a dress code? Don’t buy anything that is not allowed. If your child needs to change clothes for physical education, what does she need?

• Your child should have a safe backpack — lightweight with two wide, padded shoulder straps, waist belt, and multiple compartments. Let your child help choose notebooks, pencils, pens, lunch box, etc., but avoid buying things he doesn’t really need. Get a supply list for your school ahead of time.

• Here are a few more things to think about as you prepare for children going back to school: Make sure all necessary emergency contact forms are filled out with all possible phone numbers. If you are going to be out of touch for a day, let the school know.

• Tell your child’s teacher and the school nurse about any medical conditions your child has, even the minor ones.

• Go over traffic safety rules with your child. Stress the importance of crossing only at a crosswalk, waiting for the bus to stop before approaching, and understanding traffic signals and signs.

• Make plans for safe after school care if needed. Many schools offer programs for a nominal fee. If your teen will be home alone after school, establish clear rules for safety and responsibilities and set consistent consequences for breaking those rules.

For more great parenting information visit before5.org — you’ll especially want to watch the videos!

EASY SUMMER RECIPE

We all love new recipes. I especially like the recipes from the “Amish Cook” (Lovina Eicher, an Amish mother of 8 who lives in southern Michigan) because they are always easy, wholesome and great for families. Here is one that caught my eye because we love both raspberries and blueberries:

RASPBERRY MUFFINS

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup light cream

1/2 cup oil

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 1/2 cup red raspberries

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients until well blended. Add wet ingredients, adding the raspberries last. Stir until moistened. Do not over mix. Spoon into 18 muffin cups, greased. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until muffins test done.Blueberries can also be used for this same recipe.

HUMOR HELPS

Thank you to everyone who’s been sharing their funny kid stories! You will find a lot of them in each issue of Greater Fort Wayne Family in addition to this newsletter. I strongly believe humor is the “!” in L!FE!

Here are some from my colleague, Matt Getts, editor of The News Sun.

Natalie, 5, told her father, “I’m lucky.” When Matt asked her why she’s lucky she said, “Because when I was a little baby inside Mommy’s tummy I always wanted a daddy just like you — handsome and with glasses!” — Matt Getts of Kendallville

Here’s another one from Matt. When they were at SeaWorld in Florida Natalie was fascinated by the roller coaster and all its screaming passengers. Matt asked her if she’d like to go on the roller coaster, and she said no, it would be too scary. “Would you go on it with Daddy?” Matt asked. Natalie said emphatically, “No, it would be too scary!” After a minute or two of thought she said, “Maybe… MAYBE if Jesus came with me I’d ride on it!”

If you have a story to share, just reply to this e-mail. Thanks in advance!

WIN A “QUOTABLE KIDS” BOOK!

Do you enjoy Greater Fort Wayne Family magazine? If you do, I would love to hear from you by e-mail about how the magazine helps you become a better parent or grandparent. I especially would like to know what feature you find most helpful and what additional feature(s) you would like to see each month.

I will keep track of all those who e-mail me their comments before Oct. 1 and from those replies four people will be selected at random to win a free copy of my book “Quotable Kids.”

We are trying to make Greater Fort Wayne Family magazine as helpful as possible and your feedback will be invaluable!

Enjoy your family!

Grace Housholder

editor

fwfamily.com

FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY

Thank you to these “Friends of the Family”:

American Countryside Farmers Market

DeKalb Memorial Hospital

Dekko Foundation

Emmaus Lutheran Church and School

Fort Wayne Derby Girls