parenting

With the school year getting underway, parents might be trying to think of unique ways to send the kids off on the new journey with something they'll remember. Some Texas parents have stumbled upon a pretty cool idea, and you can do this after the kids go to bed and surprise them in the morning.

The school year hasn't even started yet, and so far it's awesome to be a 4th grader. And parents, if you're lucky enough to have a 4th grader in the family like me, that's worth a free ticket to places like the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The whole family gets in free! Here's how it works.

To perform better in school, maybe kids need less time in the classroom. Some Texas schools are gaining attention for tripling the recess time for students, and we're waiting to see if this growing trend catches on in East Texas.

Most kids have these things and they're supposed to reduce stress and help with concentration, but do they work?

Texans can come up with some goodies!  Just look at any kindergarten class list, and high five yourself for stamping your kids with some unique, cool, and creative names. A new list is out, and please share your thoughts.  Are the quirkiest baby names in Texas really that quirky?

Signs posted to the door at a daycare is nothing new.  Many times these signs will give instructions to parents about upcoming fundraisers, special hours, or a few set rules...but, a daycare in Rose Hill, Texas (near Tomball), in no uncertain terms, spelled out why parents should 'GET OFF YOUR PHONE'.

If you are on social media at all this week, you will quickly understand that school has started. As parents, there is some sort of reflex that makes us mark these back-to-school moments on Facebook, and as you might be able to see in this picture, the kids would rather just hurry up and get to class

School starts next week in Lufkin and all across East Texas, and kids will be cramming iPods, notebooks, Kindles, phones, a change of shoes, snacks, and maybe even a book into those backpacks. How heavy is too heavy?  If the backpack weighs more than a certain amount, it can knock kids off balance and lead to back problems later on.  Here's the magic number.

Summers were so much fun as a kid, with camps, swimming, and sprinklers, and lots and lots of ice cream. As an adult, there's no break from work and there can be more to do juggling the kids' schedule, and we lose the magic!  But here's a way to get it back.

It's more than just, "Are we there yet?"  That usually starts in the driveway, and there a dozen other comments and questions that can take the steam out of our Memorial Day Weekend road trips just as quickly.  Here are some of the best zingers from the back seat that stress out parents.

It's always a dilemma for parents. Kids create art from the heart all year long in school, and although you've trashed some of it here and there, the end-of-the-year stack takes some consideration because there is guilt involved.  Keep it or junk it?

Happy Mother's Day!  Got a quirky mom?  This weekend we're celebrating the quirks, the playfulness, the discipline, the organization, and thoughtfulness, and the love. And the most important things our moms have ever done for us.  Here's mine.