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Should Kids Get Paid for Good Grades? What Parents Should Consider Before Offering Cash

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Parent Giving Kid Money
Cash rewards for good grades can motivate some students, but parents should consider rewarding consistent effort, study habits, and improvement too. The goal is to encourage academic success without making every achievement depend on a paycheck. (Pexels).

Paying a child $10 for every A can sound like a simple way to turn report-card day into motivation day. For some families, paying kids for good grades provides a concrete goal and even creates an opportunity to teach saving, spending, and budgeting. But research on academic incentives suggests the results depend heavily on what parents reward and whether children understand how to reach the goal. A child who studies diligently and earns a B, for example, may deserve more recognition than a child who earns an effortless A. Before opening your wallet, it is worth considering what lesson the money may teach beyond the grade itself.

Understand What The Research Actually Shows

Research does not provide a simple yes-or-no answer on paying kids for good grades. In randomized trials involving more than 250 urban schools, economist Roland Fryer found that financial incentives were more effective when students were rewarded for educational inputs, such as reading books, rather than outputs such as test scores. Another experiment involving elementary students in Ohio found incentives improved math scores by about 0.15 standard deviations but produced no significant improvement in reading, science, or social science. That matters because a report-card grade is an outcome influenced by assignments, tests, classroom expectations, and sometimes factors a child cannot fully control. Parents considering cash incentives should therefore think carefully about whether they are rewarding something their child knows how to improve.

Consider Rewarding Effort Instead Of The Letter Grade

A more practical approach may be rewarding behaviors that contribute to academic success. Child Mind Institute advises parents to recognize sustained effort, following through when work becomes difficult, and attempting challenging tasks rather than focusing exclusively on grades. For example, instead of promising $20 for an A in algebra, a parent might recognize a teenager for consistently completing assignments, attending tutoring, or following a study schedule for an entire grading period. This gives children achievable steps and acknowledges progress even when the final grade falls short of an A. If paying kids for good grades creates pressure to produce a particular letter, rewarding productive habits may offer a healthier alternative.

Watch For A Transactional Attitude Toward Learning

One concern with paying kids for good grades is that children may begin asking, “What do I get?” whenever schoolwork requires extra effort. Psychology Today notes concerns that excessive reliance on material rewards can weaken the development of intrinsic motivation and encourage children to expect incentives for behaviors they should eventually manage independently. That does not mean an occasional reward will automatically destroy a child’s desire to learn, but parents should watch how the child responds when no reward is available. A student who once read science books out of curiosity but now studies only when money is offered may be sending an important signal. The long-term goal is for children to connect learning with competence, independence, opportunity, and personal satisfaction rather than only a payday.

Make The System Fair For The Child You Have

A one-size-fits-all reward system can create problems, particularly in families with multiple children. One child may earn straight A’s with relatively little studying, while a sibling may work for hours and earn B’s because a particular subject is harder. Understood recommends focusing praise on effort and helping children recognize the actions that contributed to their progress. Parents could therefore reward measurable improvement, consistent homework completion, asking a teacher for help, or meeting an individualized academic goal. Paying kids for good grades should never send the message that one sibling’s hard work matters less simply because the final letters on the report card are different.

Use Money As A Financial Lesson If You Decide To Pay

Parents who choose cash rewards can turn the experience into more than a transaction. Suppose a middle-schooler earns $30 after meeting an agreed-upon academic goal; parents might encourage the child to save $15, spend $10, and set aside $5 toward a longer-term goal or charitable cause. The exact amounts matter less than having the child make deliberate decisions about the money. Parents should also establish the rules beforehand, including which achievements qualify, how much can be earned, and whether improvement counts alongside high grades. When paying kids for good grades is connected to money management, the reward can become an opportunity to practice financial decision-making.

The Best Reward Builds Skills Beyond Report Card Day

There is nothing inherently wrong with celebrating academic success, and different children respond to different forms of encouragement. Still, paying kids for good grades works best when parents avoid making cash the sole definition of achievement and focus on behaviors children can control. A modest, clearly defined incentive for consistent studying or meaningful improvement may teach more than a large payout reserved only for perfect grades. Parents can also celebrate progress through privileges, family activities, recognition, or simply an attentive conversation about what their child accomplished.

Would paying for grades motivate your child to work harder, or would it turn learning into another financial transaction—and how does your family handle report-card rewards? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments.

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7 Things Special Ed Teachers Can’t Always Tell Parents

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Teacher With Students
A special education teacher works with students while maintaining open communication with parents, highlighting the teamwork that helps children reach important milestones. (Pexels).

Raising a child with special needs often means building a close partnership with teachers, therapists, and support staff. Most special education teachers genuinely want families to feel informed, respected, and included, but there are times when professional boundaries, legal requirements, or limited resources prevent them from saying everything on their minds. That silence is rarely a sign of indifference. More often, it reflects a commitment to protecting students, maintaining trust, and navigating the complex realities of special education.

1. They Often See Strengths Parents Haven’t Noticed Yet

Special education teachers spend hours observing students in structured and social settings, giving them a unique perspective on growth. A child who struggles with reading may quietly excel at solving problems, helping classmates, or using assistive technology. Teachers often celebrate these victories even when standardized tests fail to capture them. Sharing those strengths consistently can help families focus on progress instead of comparing their child to traditional milestones. This perspective encourages confidence while reinforcing that success looks different for every learner.

2. They Can’t Discuss Other Students, Even When Comparisons Feel Natural

Parents naturally wonder how their child compares with classmates or why another student receives different support. However, privacy laws require teachers to keep every student’s educational information confidential, even during casual conversations. That means teachers may appear vague when they actually know the answer but cannot legally share it. While this can feel frustrating, the same protections also safeguard your child’s privacy. Respecting confidentiality helps create a safe environment where every family can trust the school.

3. Progress Is Sometimes Slower Than Everyone Wishes

Special education teachers invest significant time collecting data, adjusting instruction, and monitoring Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. Even with evidence-based strategies, meaningful progress may take months rather than weeks because every child develops at a different pace. Teachers often feel the same disappointment parents experience when growth seems slow. Research continues to show that individualized instruction and strong family-school collaboration improve long-term outcomes, even when progress appears gradual.

4. They Wish They Had More Time With Every Student

Many special education teachers manage large caseloads while coordinating with general education teachers, therapists, specialists, and administrators. Beyond classroom instruction, they complete extensive documentation, attend IEP meetings, communicate with families, and monitor student progress. Ongoing staffing shortages continue to place additional pressure on educators across the country. Despite these challenges, most teachers work hard to ensure every student receives meaningful support. Their dedication often extends well beyond the final school bell.

5. Home Support Makes a Bigger Difference Than Expensive Programs

Parents sometimes worry they need costly tutoring programs or specialized materials to help their child succeed. In reality, consistent routines, reading together, practicing communication skills, and reinforcing classroom strategies at home often produce meaningful results. A teacher may quietly wish families understood how powerful these everyday moments can be. Even ten to fifteen minutes of focused practice several times a week can reinforce classroom learning. When school and home use similar strategies, children typically gain confidence more quickly.

6. They Celebrate Every Small Victory

What may seem like a tiny achievement to others can represent months of dedicated effort for a student receiving special education services. Making eye contact, writing a complete sentence, asking for help independently, or transitioning calmly between activities can be major milestones. Teachers often remember these breakthroughs long after the school year ends because they represent persistence and resilience. Recognizing small wins also helps students build motivation for bigger challenges. Celebrating progress instead of perfection creates a healthier learning experience for everyone involved.

7. They Want Parents to Ask Questions and Work as Partners

Most special education teachers appreciate parents who ask thoughtful questions, share observations from home, and participate actively in IEP meetings. Honest communication helps identify challenges earlier and creates more consistent support for the child across environments. Teachers also understand that receiving a diagnosis or navigating special education services can feel overwhelming for families. Building trust takes time, but respectful collaboration almost always benefits the student. The strongest partnerships are built on listening, flexibility, and a shared commitment to helping the child succeed.

The Real Message Behind the Silence

Special education teachers carry responsibilities that extend far beyond classroom instruction, and sometimes professional ethics prevent them from expressing every concern or opinion. Behind those quiet moments is usually someone advocating, planning, documenting, and searching for new ways to help students reach their potential. Parents who recognize these unseen responsibilities often build stronger, more productive relationships with their child’s educational team. When families and teachers trust one another, children benefit academically, socially, and emotionally.

What has a special education teacher done that made a lasting difference for your family? Share your experience in the comments below and join the conversation.

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How Your Child’s Cell Phone Could Now Ruin Them In School

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How Your Child's Cell Phone Could Now Ruin Them In School
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

In Fayetteville, GA, middle school administrators can now confiscate phones before the first bell rings. Over in Volusia County, Florida, districts have updated student conduct codes over summer break. This is not a culture war sideshow. It’s an enforcement shift, rolled out under the radar and backed by policy and strict guidelines.

Parents are sounding the alarm because certain devices that may be harmless at home are now liabilities. The hidden reality: your child’s phone no longer just distracts them. It creates a permanent record.

The Costs Of Phones In Class

Georgia HB 340 limits phone use for students in class, but it also does so much more. Schools can now keep track of repeated violations, patterns, and peer interactions tied to phones. Repeated breaches of this new rule can lead to very serious consequences for your student if they are using their phone under the watchful eye of school staff.

This is not a theory or something being debated by Georgia lawmakers; it is official and signed into law. District guidance for school policy instructs administrators to treat repeated phone infractions as escalating indicators.

Here’s how a cell phone now ruins a student’s standing fast.

1) Digital contraband equals behavioral flags. One phone out during instruction triggers documentation. Fayetteville, GA, parents may notice an uptick in suspensions tied to noncompliance.

2) Screenshots become evidence. Group chats, photos, and memes circulate. Schools collect them. Context dies. Metadata lives. Administrators’ discipline based on digital facts, not intent.

3) Searches escalate without warning. HB 268 normalizes digital behavior review. A phone becomes a searchable container during investigations. Because of this, a child’s privacy shrinks when they are sitting in their classrooms.

Friction-Maxxing In Class

This enforcement aligns with the national high-stakes parents’ movement that is urging “friction-maxxing” against distraction and burnout.

With these cell phone rules, schools apply friction by design. They remove devices, log resistance, and escalate outcomes. Parents who shrug this off misread the terrain because the school system does not negotiate. By adhering to common friction-maxxing rules such as limiting screen time and reducing digital noise, parents can prevent this cell phone problem from holding their children back.

How Your Child's Cell Phone Could Now Ruin Them In School
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The Financial & Social Costs

When the cost hits, it hits hard. For example, suspensions force missed workdays and lost wages for parents who have to pick up their kids or provide them with childcare while they sit at home.

On top of all that, repeated discipline at school may threaten extracurricular eligibility, scholarship chances, and recommendation letters. Ignoring these risks and pushing back publicly could you lose social capital with administrators who control outcomes. This is the hidden cost of kids in the modern school landscape: money burned, credit strained, futures narrowed.

Parents Decide Cell Phone Use

High-stakes parenting now demands a hard line. Either you control the device, or the device controls the record attached to your child’s name.

Do you choose strict control for safety—locking phones down completely—or personal liberty for connection—accepting the risk of permanent records?

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The ‘Free School’ Trap: Why Your Child’s 2026 Extracurriculars Are Secretly Affecting Your Credit Score

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The 'Free School' Trap: Why Your Child’s 2026 Extracurriculars Are Secretly Affecting Your Credit Score
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

In Fayetteville, GA, and across Volusia County, Florida, parents entered the 2025–2026 season assuming “free school” still meant zero downstream risk. That assumption just expired. Districts pushed an unprecedented, quiet rollout of extracurricular “support platforms” through a legal loophole that treats optional programs as private services.

The hidden reality: these add-ons now create data trails that follow families beyond the school gate. Local pilots turned national overnight, and the shift hits hardest where parents least expect it—after dismissal, during clubs, tutoring, and enrichment that claim to cost nothing.

The Surveillance Clause No One Read

Georgia HB 268, effective for the 2026 school year, expanded behavioral monitoring standards under the banner of safety and engagement. Districts now log participation data from after-school programs into shared compliance systems.

Fayette County schools integrated these logs with third-party vendors that manage sign-ups, attendance, and incident tracking. Parents clicked consent screens to keep kids enrolled.

Those screens authorized data sharing with “educational partners,” a term HB 268 left intentionally broad. Schools framed the move as modernization. Vendors framed it as efficiency. Parents absorbed the risk.

Distraction Policy by Day, Data Harvest by Night

Georgia HB 340 targeted school distractions during class hours. Districts responded by relocating attention-heavy activities to after-school windows. That move created a compliance gray zone.

The same vendors that enforce distraction rules by day monetize engagement metrics by night. Florida districts followed suit. Volusia County standardized vendor use across middle schools for 2026 to “ensure equity.”

Equity arrived with profiles, timestamps, and behavioral flags tied to a parent’s email and payment method for “optional” upgrades. The law permits the practice. The notice obscures the cost.

The 'Free School' Trap: Why Your Child’s 2026 Extracurriculars Are Secretly Affecting Your Credit Score
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The Credit Consequence Schools Don’t Disclose

Here’s the financial pivot administrators dodge. These platforms upsell. Miss a micro-fee for a tournament jersey or late pickup? Vendors route balances through consumer payment processors.

Those processors report delinquencies. Parents lose privacy first, then money, then credit headroom. Ignore the emails and watch a 30-day mark land on your report. Families also lose social capital. Opt out and your child exits teams, enrichment, and peer networks that gate future recommendations.

This isn’t hypothetical. Parents already report denials for car loans after a single $47 “optional” balance rolled over. High-Stakes Parenting now includes credit hygiene.

What Parents Must Do—Now

Audit every extracurricular portal. Demand vendor lists. Freeze cards. Use single-use payments. Push districts for opt-out without penalty. Friction-maxx your parenting. The system counts on fatigue. Refuse it.

Do you accept expanded safety and inclusion if it quietly taxes your credit—or do you defend financial security even when it costs your child social access?

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The “Smart Locker” Trap: Why Schools Are Quietly Auditing Your Child’s Private Devices

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The
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

From Fayetteville, Georgia, to major districts across Florida, the traditional metal locker is being phased out. In its place are “Intelligent Storage Solutions”—high-tech bays featuring biometric scanners, RFID access, and integrated charging ports. Administrators sell these to parents as a way to prevent theft and “phone-free” distractions. However, they are quietly becoming a new frontier for student surveillance.

The “Consent” Loophole

The real danger isn’t the locker door; it’s the charging cable. In 2026, many districts (including those in the Fayette County area) have ended “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policies in favor of district-managed Chromebooks and tablets. When a student plugs their device into a “Smart Locker” charging port, they are often inadvertently agreeing to the school’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). This policy gives the school the legal right to monitor any data passing through their network or hardware—including the locker’s internal data-syncing hub.

AI-Driven “Vape and Vibe” Detection

It’s not just about data. The latest generation of sensors—like the HALO Smart Sensor 3C now common in Florida schools—are being integrated into locker banks. These devices are equipped with:

  • Chemical Signatures: They don’t just “smell” smoke; they use AI to detect the specific chemical footprint of THC and nicotine vapes.
  • Aggression Analytics: Using “keyword” sensors, these lockers can flag “stress-inducing” language or loud shouting in what students think are private hallways, triggering a silent alert to the principal’s office.

Why Your “Expectation of Privacy” Just Vanished

For decades, the Supreme Court ruling in New Jersey v. T.L.O. protected students from “unreasonable” searches. However, the court also ruled that schools only need “reasonable suspicion” to search a student’s belongings.

In 2026, schools are arguing that an AI “flag”—whether from a chemical sensor or a digital keyword detected during a locker-charge audit—constitutes that suspicion. This effectively replaces a human teacher’s judgment with an algorithm’s “hit.” This allows the school to open the locker and search personal bags without a parent ever being called.

The
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The Hidden Cost of “Safety”

We are told these measures are for safety, yet they represent a massive shift in the parent-school relationship. If a “Smart Locker” can audit a child’s digital journal or detect a private conversation, the locker is no longer a storage space. Instead, it’s an informant.

Would you let your child use these high-tech bays? Or is it time for parents to demand a return to old-school padlocks? Share your thoughts below.

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7 Unexpected Expenses as Your Kids Get Older

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Unexpected Expenses as Your Kids Get Older

My friend recently had a baby, and she has so much fun dressing him in cute clothing that she buys from Etsy. He has a better wardrobe than most adults! I understand her excitement in decking her baby out in adorable clothing (I did the same thing when I had my first child). However, I know her budget is tight, so I want to tell her, “Save some of that money for unexpected expenses as your kids get older,” but, of course, I don’t say that. Yet, parenthood has taught me that life will always throw you and your kids curve balls, which are often expensive!

Here are some unexpected expenses to plan for as your kids get older:

Larger Vehicle

You may think your current vehicle will suffice, especially if you only have one or two children. However, you may be surprised how quickly your family outgrows the car. We had a Toyota Echo when our first child was born, which I thought would be fine. However, we traveled frequently, and all the gear we had to bring for the baby didn’t fit in an Echo. So, in less than four months, we moved up to a minivan, which we still have 18 years later!

Don’t forget that your kids will likely want to bring friends to different activities, which is another reason you might need a bigger car.

Increased Grocery Bill

Everyone knows the grocery bill will increase when you have kids, but no one is prepared for the tween and teen years. Kids that age are growing rapidly, and they need a lot of food! When my son turned 11, I was shocked at how much he started to eat!

Private School or Homeschool

Public school is a good option for most kids, but some need a different environment, so their parents send them to private school. Or, parents like us might decide that homeschooling is a better option. Unfortunately, you may have planned for your kids to graduate from public school, so you’re unprepared to pay for private school or homeschooling when public school doesn’t work out.

Therapy for a Disability

Unexpected Expenses as Your Kids Get Older

No parent thinks their child will have a disability. I didn’t, yet, I have three kids, and each one has two diagnoses—two with autism, two with dyslexia, two with ADHD. These disabilities have cost us thousands of dollars in therapy that insurance would not cover. Thankfully, the therapy helped and the kids are doing great, but we did not anticipate having to pay for therapy, let alone having to spend so much.

Psychologist

Likewise, many kids, especially during COVID, needed a psychologist’s assistance. While most insurance plans cover psychologist appointments, you will likely have to pay a co-pay. Even if your co-pay is only $20 a session, you’re paying $1,080 over a year if your child goes once a week.

Electronics

Thirty years ago, parents didn’t have to pay a lot for electronics unless it was for a Nintendo or Atari game. Now, kids need laptops for their schoolwork, especially since some of the work (or all of it) may be online. In addition, most teens and tweens have cell phones that you’ll need to pay for.

I bought my youngest two simple Gabb phones, but they still run $50 monthly for two lines. Electronics expenses add up quickly!

High School Fund

A wise parent will start a high school fund when their children are young. Many activities in high school are pricey. Consider saving for

  • Class trips,
  • Homecoming,
  • Prom,
  • Senior pictures,
  • College application fees,
  • ACT or SAT prep and test fees

Final Thoughts

If you have a baby or a toddler, pour yourself into them, but remember, there are many unexpected expenses as your kids get older that you’ll want to save for now. Even though it’s cute to dress babies in adorable clothes, make sure you’re also saving for the future.

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Our Favorite Quick Lunches for Kids

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Quick Lunches for Kids

Back-to-school season brings the dreaded lunch prep. If your child doesn’t get a meal at school or you need to pack food for daycare, you know what I mean. Parents should pack a lunch that the kids like, has variety, and is relatively healthy. After a few weeks, getting into a lunch-packing rut is easy. My kids used to go to school, and I remember how time-consuming packing lunches could be. Now we homeschool, but last year, instead of making lunch every day, I started packing our favorite quick lunches for kids so they could pull them from the refrigerator at lunchtime, and it was a time saver!

Time-Saving Techniques

Utilize these strategies to save time preparing lunches:

Get the Kids Involved

Let the kids help you by making sandwiches or filling containers with chips. Kids are more likely to want to eat what they help make because they can make the food the way they want (within reason). For example, my girls split this job. One makes all the sandwiches for the week, and the other fills all the chip containers.

Take Advantage of Dead Time

When cooking dinner, I often have dead time when I need to stir the meal I’m cooking, but I don’t have anything else to do while waiting for the food. I use this time to cut carrot sticks and celery or other fruits and vegetables to add to lunches for the week.

Prepare in Bulk

Another good strategy is if you’re making a few, make many. For instance, if I need four hard-boiled eggs for a meal, I’ll make 12 so that I have extra that I can use for future lunches. Likewise, if I make energy balls with peanut butter and oats, I’ll make a double batch and stick some in the freezer for lunches next week.

Easy Foods to Prep

Some foods are quick to prep and freeze well.

Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Instead of making one PB & J sandwich, make sandwiches out of an entire loaf of bread. Then, freeze each sandwich. Remove it from the freezer in the morning, and the sandwich will be thawed by lunch.

Muffins

Quick Lunches for Kids

Make a batch or two of banana muffins or another flavor your kids like and pop them in the freezer. Then, you can pull them out individually to put in lunches each day.

Easy Fruits

Some fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon require you to cut them open and chop them into bite-size pieces. These aren’t the kind of fruits I pack. Instead, I choose easy fruits such as clementines or grapes. All I have to do is stick a clementine in the lunchbox or give the grapes a quick rinse and put them in the container.

Final Thoughts

Making lunches can be time-consuming, but the process doesn’t have to be. Our favorite quick lunches for kids are easy, nutritious, and taste good. Plus, you’ll have more time in your day when you’re not spending as much time prepping food and packing lunches!

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Free Ways to Keep Kids Occupied If Under a Shelter In Place Order

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If you’re like me, one day you knew that there was a virus circulating the globe.  You knew that there were cases in America, and you were cautious, but not too concerned.  And then, on a Thursday, things started to get intense.  Shops were running low on groceries.  A few days later, kids’ schools were cancelled.  And now, just a few weeks after that, much of the United States is shuttered.  If your kids are bored, here are some free ways to keep kids occupied if under a shelter in place order.

Free Ways to Keep Kids Occupied When Under a Shelter in Place Order

Set a Schedule

The most important thing I would suggest you do with your kids is set a schedule.  It doesn’t have to be rigid, but instead, just a general guide for the way the day will go.  Kids thrive on routine (school is based on routine), and without it, kids can feel bored and lost.

At our house, we already homeschool two kids, and the other one is home from public school.  We do school roughly most of the morning, the kids get a tv break before lunch, then we do more school and creative activities in the afternoon, and the younger ones get TV time or video games before dinner.  After dinner, we have a show we watch together, then we have read alouds, and then bed.

Even though the whole world feels off-centered now, we roughly know what will happen every day.

Encourage Creativity

As I mentioned, we have creativity time.  You can browse Pinterest for craft ideas, or YouTube for art videos.  Or, you can join Mo Willems for Lunch Doodles and get a free art lesson daily.

Require Some Learning Every Day

If your children are home from school, they likely have class work to do.  If their school has stopped all coursework, still have your children do something educational every day, whether that’s doing Khan Academy, or playing a math game online, or reading a book, or watching a documentary on television.  My kids and I are still doing three to four hours of school a day.

Be a Little More Lenient with Media Time

Having said that, we’re all a little bored and stir crazy, so it’s okay to give your kids a little more media time.  I’ve doubled my kids media time (from 1 hr. per day to 2 hours per day).  Just be careful not to let them spend all of their time on media.

Free Ways to Keep Kids Occupied If Under a Shelter in Place Order
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

For many kids, increased time watching TV and playing video games can lead to increased negative behaviors, so give them more leeway within reason.

Enjoy the Family Time

Lastly, enjoy more time as a family.  Before this pandemic, most of us were too busy every day.  Now we have the gift of time together.  Take that time to play a board game together or watch a movie or have a family discussion.

Final Thoughts

If you’re stuck at home, as so many of us are, try to find the positives of the situation.  We’re all experiencing something we’ll likely never experience again in our lifetimes.  Use these free ways to keep kids occupied if under a shelter in place order to make the time go faster and be more productive for the whole family.

How To Pick the Best School District for Your Child: 5 Tips for Parents

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best school disctrictWhen choosing a new home, the local school district can make or break the deal for many parents. You can find your dream home, but if the local schools are inadequate, it’s not worth sacrificing your child’s education for it. Before making such an important decision for your family, you will want to make sure you’re moving into the best school district available.

This can be done by following a few simple tips.

Check School Ratings

Checking the area school’s ratings can be quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes of online searching to find the answers you are looking for, but what exactly do you want to find? Test scores are an excellent way to judge schools within the district. Schools are rated by numbers one through five. Five is excellent, and you want to look for this rating. A five is easy to achieve, so if a school is falling short, it could be a sign of underlying problems. Look into personal ratings as well. Websites such as Rate My Teacher post ratings that high school students give their teachers. The site is free to view.

Look Into Crime Statistics

Be sure to check out the crime statistics for the neighborhood. There will be obvious signs of a high crime area like barred windows and multiple sex offenders nearby that we all think to check for, but you may want to investigate a little further. There are many online sites that list neighborhood crime rates for you. Your family’s home security should be your first priority.  Local law enforcement agencies also have important information on their websites. Don’t forget to look on the local news station’s site too.

Be sure to check out the crime statistics for the neighborhood. There will be obvious signs of a high crime area like barred windows and multiple sex offenders nearby that we all think to check for, but you may want to investigate a little further. There are many online sites that list neighborhood crime rates for you. Your family’s home security should be your first priority, so you may also wish to also invest in a house security system for an additional layer of protection when considering a new neighborhood. Furthermore, local law enforcement agencies also have important information on their websites. Don’t forget to look on the local news station’s site too.

The Educational Approach Used

Does the school district model their work after a certain educator? Many districts follow specific models of education such as the Montessori Method, Dr. Mel Levine’s All Kinds of Minds, or Dr. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. They may follow philosophies like Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, or Montessori. Research these programs to find out more about each one and if it will suit your child’s needs.

Visit the Local Schools

Ask to visit the schools within the district during a regular school day. If you are denied the privilege, this is a major red flag. During your visit you will want to watch how the teachers interact with the students, other adults, and parents. Pay attention to details such as if the teacher makes sure the students understand the information. Ask yourself if the kids are focused or disruptive during class time. Visit several teachers among many grades to get an accurate perception.

Finding a Good Fit For Your Family

A school district can look fabulous on paper, but if it doesn’t fit the needs of your children, that won’t make a bit of difference. Find out if they offer transportation that fits your schedule and you feel comfortable with. Ask other parents about the levels of homework assigned, and find out if they offer after school programs that interest your children.

After you have done your research online and finished the footwork required to get an idea of what your school district is like, you’ll be able to make an informed decision that will greatly benefit you and your children in the future.

What other tips do you have to pick the best school district possible?

Saving Money With Back to School Shopping

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back to schoolI can’t believe we’re already nearing the end of the summer. This past week the flyers were delivered and jam-packed full with back to school shopping deals. I feel like we were just talking about Easter! Time goes too fast.

When it comes to grade school, back to school is a time of year when pressure is put on parents. Kids need to go to school and they will require some new items for their pending academic year but it doesn’t have to be as expensive as your children will have you believe. Kids have a funny way of making it seem like they couldn’t possibly succeed without ‘x’ item and guess what? As parents, we will occasionally get duped by our kids. We will inevitably purchase an item we didn’t have to, sometimes because we’re suckers and believe them and sometimes because we just love them. Back to school shopping can be very expensive but there are a few ways to save!

 

Budget

This isn’t exactly about saving money per se, but if you know your child will be needing new supplies every year, budget for it! Determine how much money will be spent on each child and budget the amount equally over the year so you’re not faced with a huge bill come school shopping time. This should include any supplies, clothes and gadgets they will need. Once you’ve set a budget shopping will be a lot less stressful, especially if you’re able to set ground rules with kids in advance.

 

Wait for Sales

The normal price for a pack of looseleaf paper at my local Walmart is $1.79/pack, this week it is on sale for $0.15. Needless to say if I was shopping for my child I would be buying enough paper to last the next 10 years at that price.

In many places, there are also tax free days for back to school shopping, which can at least give you a little break on the taxes you pay on your school supplies.

 

Reuse

When I was in elementary school I needed a new backpack every year. I’d find a flaw in my current one just so mom could buy me a snazzy new one. Eventually she caught on and bought me a good quality backpack with the stipulation that I took care of it and it was to be the last one she ever bought me. Fair enough. That bag ended up lasting me all the way through university, money well spent.

Same thing goes with things like sneakers ad clothes, unless your child is growing a legitimately doesn’t fit in their current size, or their shoes are really falling apart they don’t need a new pair just because it’s the start of a new year. Though I respect wanting a new outfit or two for the new year it doesn’t have to be a full wardrobe overhaul.

 

Share What Can Be Shared

If you have more than one child to shop for, and there are items that can be shared, capitalize on this. Each child does not need their own computer. Trust me, I know they will have a very elaborate explanation as to why they do, but unless you have a household of five plus children all in school, one computer for the children will suffice.

Back to school is a stressful time for families with the drastic change in routines, shopping for supplies shouldn’t be!

How do you save on back to school shopping for your kids?

Entertaining Kids During Christmas Break

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Entertaining Children Chirstmas BreakWith kids being out of school for a few weeks during the Christmas break, it’s easy to run out of ideas on how to entertain them. Growing up, my mom would send me to the mall with friends, handing me $40.00 to basically entertain myself for the day. While a nice treat once in a while, for most families, especially during the holiday season, this would quickly add up to be a big budget buster.

Here are a few ideas to entertain the kids (young and old) while on their Christmas break:

Host a Gingerbread House Building Party

This is loads of fun for kids of all ages. Have your child invite their friends over, either with a gingerbread house kit in hand, or you can provide the house for them (using an easy recipe and template). Have candy provided in dishes (on your well wrapped table, it will be messy!) and let them have fun creating. Don’t want to do a whole house? Try decorating gingerbread or sugar cookies instead.

Have them Volunteer

While volunteering with your children year round is encouraged, Christmas is usually a time when extra help is needed. Soup kitchens and food banks in particular are often looking for extra help during the season. If your child is under the age of 16, you may either need to grant permission or be present. Check to see if your local mall needs gift wrappers. Many malls offer gift wrapping services, often provided by volunteers, with funds raised going to local charities. Although this should never be the only reason why one does it, volunteer work looks great on university and college applications too.

Host a Christmas Themed Pajama Movie Party/Sleepover

Have a few of your kids friends over for a fun night of watching Christmas movies in their PJ’s (sleepover or not, you have to be comfy!). Provide a few snacks or have them help you make a homemade pizza and you’ve got yourself a budget-friendly party. You could even make use of one of the best vpns for torrenting and download the movies the kids want to watch in advance so that you don’t have to worry about the dreaded buffering sign appearing during the movie and derailing things when everyone is quiet and engaged in the magic of Christmas movies.

Go Outside and Play

Especially in today’s technology driven world, we forget about the simplicity of encouraging outdoor play without an abundance of toys. Encourage them to explore; pick up a stick and use their imagination! Make sure they’re well bundled if you’re fortunate enough to live in a cold winter environment and let them enjoy the fresh air.

Have them Help You Prep Meals for the Holidays.

Most kids like to explore in the kitchen. It’s a great opportunity to have the learn some kitchen skills from you and your family. Yes, it will take longer than if you did it yourself and yes, your kitchen will likely be much messier but the skills that you’ll be able to teach are much more important than some spilled flour.

Check to See if Your Local Theater Offers Christmas Break Discounts

Most movie theater chains will offer discounted tickets during the local school break as a way of encouraging the movie-going experience so check it out!

Crafts

Have your kids make everything from Christmas cards or gift tags to tree ornaments. The possibilities are endless and most require very few supplies. Who wouldn’t love a homemade card from your young one?

Encourage the Inner Entrepreneur

If you have older kids, encourage them to use their time off to make some money during their break. Ideas include: shoveling driveways, offering to get groceries (or run errands) for people who need extra help, or dog walking for people who may be away or just too busy to do it themselves.

Christmas can be stressful enough, you shouldn’t have to worry about what your kids are going to be doing while off from school. With a little creative planning, you can quickly fill their time without breaking the bank!

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Valentine’s Day Nostalgia

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Valentine's Dy
Photo on Mysie.com

I am so excited about Valentine’s Day! My husband and I usually do a date night –  sushi, typically – and while that’s always fun, and I really enjoy getting some alone time with my hubby; I’m looking forward to Valentine’s Day for a different reason this year.

At first, I couldn’t really figure out why I’m so jazzed about Valentine’s Day this year. I’m not crazy about hearts, I prefer jelly beans to chocolate, and my husband and I don’t make a big deal out of the holiday. However, I began to realize that I have really fond memories, of the Valentines parties we  had  in grade school. Since this is the boys’ first year in preschool, that means it’s the first year they get to do a Valentine’s party and card exchange.

Valentine’s Day as a kid

I keep thinking about how much I enjoyed Valentine’s Day as a kid. I have mentioned before that I am not crafty and that it was even worse when I was young. I always colored outside the lines and my drawings were hard to decipher. One time our teacher gave us each a big piece of paper and said we could make anything we wanted, I tried making a paper purse; which just ended up being a messy blob of paper, glue and tissues. The teacher later told me she meant we could draw whatever we wanted to. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Well, why didn’t she say that?

When it came to Valentine’s Day though, I really tried to do my best and make my Valentine’s mailbox the best that it could be! I was sure to put just the right amount of glitter, hearts and paper doilies on it. I also carefully wrote my name, so it would be easy for my classmates to locate.

I loved when it was time to go around placing our cards and goodies into each other’s bags. After that we would sit down and go through them. That’s when I had to see if, 1) the boy I had a crush on gave me a card and 2) analyze what the card was trying to tell me. Did he like me, like-like me, or should I just drown my sorrows in some Tang and forget about him because the card said “I don’t want to be your Valentine.” Lucky for me, there aren’t any Valentine’s cards like that (at least not in the packages that kids give out), so I always came out hopeful.

Anyway, my boys aren’t at that age yet but N. carefully selected his Spider-man Valentine’s with lollipops for his class and A. chose Scooby-Doo with pencils. They keep asking me when they can take their cards to school and have their party. I guess I’m not the only one who is excited. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Are you doing anything for Valentine’s Day? What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory?

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