Many traditional healthy foods aren’t necessarily kid-friendly, which leaves moms and dads wondering how to pack a wholesome lunch that will actually get eaten. Fortunately, a little creative thinking and a few simple lunchbox tricks can help you create tasty meals that will fuel your kids throughout the school day. Consider these seven smart ideas and be inspired to create your own kid-approved combinations.

Think outside the loaf: Sandwiches are a lunchbox staple, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to two pieces of bread. To add variety and boost nutrient intake, incorporate fun variations. For example, use whole-grain tortillas to create wraps, or, go one step further and cut up the rolls for bite-size “sushi” that makes it fun for lunching. Another idea: use whole-wheat waffles as the sandwich ends and fill with peanut butter and banana or cream cheese and apples.

Colorful creations: Ever notice how everything associated with kids has tons of color? Children are attracted to vivid hues and you can use this to your advantage when you pack lunches. Put a rainbow in every lunch by packing colorful produce such as green cucumber, cherry tomatoes, purple plums, orange carrots and yellow peppers. You’ll keep things visually stimulating and the various colors of fresh foods mean they are getting a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Fantastic freeze-dried fruit: Fresh fruit isn’t always an option and that’s when delicious Crispy Fruit freeze-dried snacks from Crispy Green can save the day. The perfect complement to any healthy lunch or the ideal lightweight portable snack, Crispy Fruit comes in many single-serving varieties to keep lunchboxes interesting, including banana, apple, pineapple and pear. You can feel good about giving your kids a snack that is 100 percent fruit, non-GMO and allergen-free with no additives or sugar added.

Breakfast for lunch: Is it backwards day? No, but you can get a little crazy by shaking things up when you pack breakfast foods for lunch. Kids will grin with joy as they open their pack to see their favorite whole grain cereal with a side of milk, or muffins with secret healthy ingredients like fruit or shredded veggies. You might even consider your child’s favorite breakfast sandwich or a yogurt parfait as a wholesome lunch option.

Slurp up soup: Cold lunch doesn’t necessarily need to be cold. Get a reusable insulated container and get ready to delight those kid’s taste buds with vitamin-rich soup. Whether you choose a hearty alphabet soup bought from the store or decide to make a batch at home, look for options packed with different vegetables and limited salt. Simply heat up in the morning and it will be ready and waiting come lunch time. Warm soup satisfies the stomach while warming the heart.

Dip and munch: If you have a hesitant kid who is known to snub their nose at fruits and veggies, consider making eating more fun by packing a side of dip. Children adore the act of dipping and it makes eating a fun, interactive activity. A little yogurt will encourage kids to gobble up fruits like orange wedges, apple slices or halved strawberries. Low-fat salad dressing or hummus is the perfect pairing for veggie straws including carrots, celery or sweet peppers.

Protein pick-me-up: Protein helps kids feel fuller for longer, getting them through those lengthy school days. It’s important to pack a protein source in lunch, but meats aren’t your only option. Eggs are high in protein, so try hard-boiled or scrambled and pack in an insulated container. Other kid-friendly foods high in protein include cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, beans and many nuts or nut butters.

You are what you eat, so it’s important to choose your children’s foods wisely. For more tips about packing wholesome lunches and living a healthy family lifestyle, visit www.produceforkids.com/poweryourlunchbox or smartlifebites.com.

*BPT

The post 7 healthy, kid-approved lunchbox ideas appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

If all of this sounds familiar, you’ll be relieved to know that it is possible to create a delicious lunch for yourself and your children in no time flat during the school year. Included below are recipes for a delightful roasted turkey kale salad sandwich to make the most of your next lunch break and a pizza sandwich with fresh mozzarella your kids are sure to love — and will make them the envy of the school lunchroom.

Roasted Turkey Kale Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 Arnold Multigrain Sandwich Thins Roll
• 1/3 cup kale, chopped
• 1 lemon wedge
• 1 tablespoon Caesar dressing
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan, shaved or grated
• 4 thin slices roasted turkey
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Add chopped kale to a small bowl and squeeze lemon juice over it. Add a sprinkle of salt and mix kale mixture for 1 minute to soften.

2. Add Caesar dressing and Parmesan to bowl and toss until everything is evenly coated. Salt and pepper to taste.

3. Open Arnold’s Multigrain Sandwich Thins Roll and place the sliced turkey on the bottom followed by the dressed kale Caesar salad. Place the top on the sandwich and keep refrigerated until ready to eat.

Caprese Pizza Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 Arnold Honey Wheat Sandwich Thins Roll
• 2 tablespoons pizza sauce
• 4 slices fresh mozzarella
• 8-10 pepperoni slices
• 5 basil leaves
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Open Arnold Sandwich Thins Roll and smear the pizza sauce onto the bottom half.

2. Top with fresh mozzarella and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

3. Add pepperoni and basil and place the top on the sandwich. Keep refrigerated until ready to eat.

Both of these recipes are easy and fun to make and they will have you rethinking what’s possible during your busy school year schedule. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your own sandwich favorites today. For more great ideas, visit www.arnoldbread.com.

*BPT

The post Recipes to make your school year lunches fast and delicious appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

I am a fundraising rookie – my first born darling daughter just started Kindergarden 2 weeks ago so what do I know about fundraising, aside from the general anxiety the mere word evokes?

Hello, crowdsourcing! Through my work at Schoola I am exposed to over 16,000 schools nationwide who all have their own fundraising challenges and success stories.

While there is no one-size fits all fundraising solution, we have heard over and over from our partner schools that the key for planning the right mix of events is marrying 3 critical components…

Citizenship – There are so many companies out there claiming to be “the best” way to raise money – the sheer number of options is one of the things that makes a rookie like me sweat. The truth is that it will likely take a mix of 2-3 things to satisfy your school’s need for financial support. So how to decide? Using your school’s creed or values as a barometer for selection is the best way to decide which fundraisers are best for your school.

• If your school is distinguished for achievement in reading, hold a book fair!

• If your school is proud to offer the only arts program in the district, put your kids’ work on display at an art auction!

• Does your school have a commitment to improve student nutrition? Produce and sell a cookbook!
  

School pride around your specific culture is a great way to motivate kids and parents alike to help reach a goal. It is likely that these special and distinguished programs already have their own staff of people invested in continuing their future – hello, ready made event committee! In addition, there are parents who probably chose your school based on these special characteristics and are therefore more likely to get involved to keep them alive. For that reason, you should always be specific in your request for parent involvement and provide a visible tracking system that shows how far away you are from your goal – IE: We need to sell 450 cookbooks to fund this year’s chef program – that’s 2 per student – lets do this!  

Community – the most successful fundraisers will allow for reach outside of just your parent community. Casting your net wider than just the busy parents on your PTA roster will lessen the burden on crazed parents, and allow you to tap into the spending power of doting grandparents and friends.

• Raffles are a great way to extend participation because many can be hosted online, and therefore open up your possible audience to friends and families of schools, not just people who attend a live event. Your community can also be a great source of raffle prizes – businesses in the area will likely want to generate new business by offering gift certificates to your community. You can even support the businesses of families in your school by offering them advertising in exchange for raffle prices. In addition, many larger organizations offer FREE raffle prizes for public schools that are non-profits: for instance Disneyland donates 4 tickets to any nonprofit every year!

• My favorite recent trend in fundraising involves hilarious challenges showcasing School Superstars like Principals, Sports Coaches and beloved Teachers. Nothing I’ve seen gets kids more motivated to reach a fundraising goal than the chance to see the somebody get dunked, shaved, or put to the test. Yes, you can even bring in a professional basketball team to play against your teachers and watch hilarity and school spirit erupt on your home turf! I’m all for things that bring families together to giggle and have a great time at school.

Convenience – Provide easy, everyday ways for parents to support the school. Big events such as fun runs and raffles require a lot of manpower, and they only happen a few times a year, and not every family can attend due to vacations, work, etc.

• Allow for easy donations to a general fund. Friends and family who have gone Paleo or are practicing Kon-Mari may not want to buy wrapping paper or cookie dough, but are happy to provide the $10 they would have spent on that well-meaning clutter directly to the school’s bank account. Make it easy for every well-meaning supporter to give at their convenience! Many employers offer matching, which often makes this the most impactful way to give. Paypal offers tools for accepting donations and dealing with matching so its more seamless than it seems.

• Provide non-monetary ways to give. One reason I love Schoola’s approach to fundraising is that it turns household items into cash for schools, and therefore provides ways for families to participate without opening their wallets! Another benefit Schoola’s clothing drives provide for my school is a teachable moment about reusing and recycling – it’s better for the planet and fits into our core curriculum around creative problem solving.

I hope that by now you have deduced that the 3Cs are just shorthand for focusing on the things that strengthen your school experience – I wish each and every reader a successful fundraising year and want to thank you for reading articles like these to try to find the most efficient way to support our kids. Onward!

About Megan: Megan’’s favorite school memory is discovering a Peer Counseling program that helped her become a leader in her toughest year of grade-school – when she grew 11 inches in 12 months, and moved / changed schools as a fifth-grader. Now she is a mom of two bay area babes, and spends the work week helping more parents find and leverage schoolas to fund their school programs. 

The post The 3Cs of Fundraising – Top Tips Culled from Over 16,000 Schools appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Spending More Time on Homework:  If your child is spending more time on homework than previously or she’s avoiding doing homework it may be time to bring in extra support. Struggling kids will either keep trying and get more and more frustrated or they will avoid the issue by simply not doing the homework.

Feels Frustrated & “Hates” School: Parents need to listen to their kids for cues. Is your child expressing frustration about a specific subject or has he had a change in attitude about school in general? Every student grumbles about school once in a while, but if the child is complaining regularly or all of a sudden he is “hating” school, a teacher or a subject, that is a sure sign that something is wrong.

Drop in Test/Quiz Scores:  If your  solid B math student starts bringing home C’s on quizzes and tests, it’s a sign that he/she has missed something in class and may need help to get back on track 

SOLUTIONS:

Talk to your Child: This is always so tricky! You want to find a way to bring up the subject while giving them a lot of room to tell you what is going on.  A good conversation starter is, “You seem kind of frustrated with homework lately.  What can I do to help?

Contact the Teacher: Starting a dialogue with your child’s teacher can be a big help.  Let the teacher know your child is struggling and see what solutions the school may offer.  

Online Resources can Help:  From videos to live tutoring, the Internet is a great source for help.   Sites like Tutor.com offer live tutoring done with vetted experts on your family’s schedule.  This makes it easy to get help whenever they really need it.

Remember that getting help early, when you first realize your child is struggling, is the best idea.  The curriculum moves fast and if your child missed just one or two concepts, he/she can quickly fall behind and get frustrated even in subjects they are usually great at.

About the Author:

Mandy Ginsberg is the CEO of Tutor.com, the world’s largest and highest-rated online tutoring company with a community of more than 3,000 expert tutors, and over 10 million one-to-one online tutoring sessions served. Professional tutors are available 24/7 in 40 plus subjects, including AP courses and SAT test prep. Ninety percent of students who use Tutor.com get better grades, feel more confident and complete their homework on time. Tutor.com, an IAC company, powers tutoring and homework help programs for the Department of Defense; thousands of public libraries, school districts, colleges and universities; and the states of Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.

The post Key Signs Your Child May Need a Tutor appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

School is back in service which means homework is back, too.  Getting kids to focus on their homework can be a real chore.  To help the process go a little smoother, create a homework haven for your kids. Set the scene to make it more comfortable and conducive to studying. Below are a few tips on creating a homework space that is perfect for studying.

1. Choose One Homework Space for the Kids: Designate one room or area of a room for homework and studying, rather than have the kids do homework at the kitchen table or on the couch in the living room. The kids associate the kitchen with food and the living room with socializing, games, and the TV, so this can cause confusion and distractions. Set aside a special room or area for a desk/table, homework supplies, and minimal distractions, because having a regular “homework room” will help the kids associate that area of the house with studying, which in turn will help strengthen their self-discipline and focus.

2. Stock with Essentials: Make sure the room is stocked with all necessary materials, such as lined paper, pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, tape, scissors, etc. If you set up a computer in the homework room, ensure that it has certain Internet blocks so the kids can’t surf YouTube videos when they should be studying! Also make sure a printer stocked with paper and ink is on-hand.

3. Choose Proper Chairs: You want the chairs to be comfy but not too comfortable, as that can cause drowsiness and the kids might end up falling asleep instead of studying. Choose simple and rigid chairs that don’t swivel or roll around, because the kids might end up playing around on them instead of staying stationary and studying. Also, make sure the kids can sit on the chairs comfortably with their feet touching the ground

4. Lighting: Ensure the studying space has adequate lighting, set at a level that is not too low and not too bright. If the lighting is too low, it can cause headaches, eyestrain, and drowsiness. Too bright of lighting can cause a discomforting glare off the book pages and studying materials. Shielded, full-spectrum fluorescent lights are known to help people stay calm, steady, and focused while studying.

5. Noise Level: Ask your kids if they work better in complete silence or with “white noise” or low music, and plan the space accordingly. If your kids prefer absolutely no noise, ensure that you and your partner stay as quiet as possible during the hours of after-school studying. If the kiddos work better with low music, set up an iPod dock to play “white noise” tunes like rain or low symphonic music.

6. Snacks: The best bet is to keep all snacks and food in the kitchen and cupboard, and tell the kids to enjoy a quick snack and “brain break” in the kitchen before heading to the homework space. If snacks are within reach in the homework area, your kids might be constantly distracted from wanting to grab another juice box and granola bar! However, you can keep bottles of water on-hand in the homework room, in case the kids get thirsty.

7. Decorate the Walls in A Non-Distracting Way: Brighten up the kids’ study room with learning murals, as it will spark the kiddos’ interest and imagination in their studying. Also, make sure to hang up your kids’ artwork around the room, as this will help the kids develop pride in their work and in producing projects worthy of gold stars!

Getting kids to do their homework will never be easy but with the right “haven,” hopefully it will go a little smoother! 

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents. Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Create a Homework Haven for your Kids appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

It’s back-to-school time and this time of year makes many kids feel anxious.  Some are starting school for the first time, while others have new schools, new teachers and new schedules.  Feeling anxious and nervous during this time is normal and understandable. Parents can help ease the transition of going back to school with these simple strategies.

1. Start Early.  Begin talking about school several weeks before they actually go. Create excitement about the upcoming day by taking them “back-to-school” shopping for school supplies and clothing. Get back in the rhythm of things by reading together, practicing math problems and other school like activities. Talk excitedly about school for several weeks prior. By the time they go to school, hopefully they will be in a routine and comfortable with the idea of going to school.

2. Take a tour of the school and meet teachers. Don’t skip the open house. Your child will realize they know lots of kids there and the opportunity to meet some of their teachers will greatly reduce their stress. Familiarize them with the building. Whether starting kindergarten or middle school, a new building, new hallways and new kids will cause stress to even the most veteran student.  For kids that will be switching classrooms, do a walk-through so they know their routes and won’t get lost.

3. Talk to them about bullying. Make sure they understand what it means to be a bully and to be bullied. Walk them through the steps of what to do if they or someone they know are being bullied.  Give them a safe, confidential source (school counselor, homeroom teacher, etc.) to go to if they see bullying or are bullied themselves so they know there is support available in the school as well as at home.

4.  Include a little note or treat in their lunchbox or backpack. This little gesture will make mom feel a little closer even when she’s not right there.

5.  Arrange play dates with future classmates for younger kids.  Start organizing the play dates in the summer so they have already formed some friendships before school starts.

6.  Remind them that they are not alone in their anxiety. There are plenty of children who will be feeling the same way they are, and they should talk with their friends and teachers about their feelings.

7.  Make a couple of trips to the school playground over the summer. This activity will make them feel more comfortable and look forward to recess when school starts. Find out what games are played at recess and play them with your child over the summer so he/she can confidently join in.

8.  School bus stress. The school bus might be a stressor for younger kids.  Take a few practice rides on a city bus with your child so they get a sense of what it’s like (safety rules, standing in line, not standing up when the bus is in motion, etc.).  Ask the school bus company for the route map in advance so you can drive your child through the neighborhood and point out specific landmarks, signs so they should look for so they know which stop is theirs.

9.  Be there when they get home the first day. Nothing wipes away anxiety like mom welcoming you home with a special “first day of school” treat.  Your child will realize they made it through the first day, and they had fun! Listen to their stories, encourage them to talk, keep things positive and upbeat.

Have a great school year!

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents. Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Helping Kids with Back-to-School Stress appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

All summer you have been thinking about the things that you need to do to help your family through the transition back to school but it always felt far off in the future. Ready or not, that time has come!  If the back to school season snuck up on you a little too fast this year, don’t worry!  The Back to School in a Breeze series is here to help you tie up any loose ends and help you set your family up for success this year.  The first topic: back to school shopping.                    

Sure you can scrape by the first few days of school by letting your kids wear their favorite summer outfits but believe it or not, fall weather is right around the corner!  Don’t put it off any longer, it is time to go back to school shopping.

Step 1: Get Organized

Believe it or not, the process of a successful shopping trip happens long before you ever get in the car.  The first thing that you should do is sort through your children’s closets with them to determine what fits and what needs they may have.  Do they have jeans that fit?  Can that snug sweater turn in to a hand-me-down for a sibling?  Make a detailed list of the specific items that each child needs.  This list prevents the magical phenomenon of your child not owning a single pair of shoes as soon as they see the trendy new sneakers at the mall!

Step 2: Make a Realistic Budget

Sit down with your finances and make a serious assessment of how much money you want to spend on fall clothes for your children.  After you have a total, break it out by child.  Being practical about your spending ahead of time will make sure that there are no surprises when the credit card statements come!

Step 3: Schedule Individual Shopping Trips

I know that time is short since school has already started or is starting very soon, but really try to give each of your children their own shopping day if possible.  Giving each kid their own day is not only a great way to spend some quality time with them before they get into their hectic school schedules, but it also sets the trip up for success.  The truth of the matter is that each child may have very different shopping needs, and this way there won’t be fights at the store over who got more.  You will get to give your children your full attention and make sure that you are making the best choices for them and your budget!

Step 4: Develop a Plan of Attack

Decide which stores you are going to ahead of time.  Not only will this save you time wandering around malls, but it will also ensure that you find exactly what you are looking for in the price range that you want.  Try doing some pre-shopping online with your kids!

Step 5: Get Everything on Your List

It is finally time to go shopping!  I recommend getting everything that is on the list first, so that you make sure that the items that they really need have priority.  After the basics are covered you can evaluate if there is room in the budget for extra things, like that bracelet that your daughter is dying to have!

Step 6: Slip in a Surprise!

After all of your shopping is done for your family, take a look at your receipts.  If there is still a little money in the shopping budget, think back to each shopping trip.  Was there something small that your child fell in love with, but didn’t really need?  Consider sneaking back out to the store to pick up a small surprise for each of your kids.  Imagine what a great start to the day it would be for them to come downstairs and see that new headband or wallet sitting on the breakfast table.  I am a firm believer that (when possible) life should have more surprises for no reason!

Bonus Tip: Look for Transitional Pieces

Chances are that your kids are going to want to wear their new clothes as soon as possible!  Help them out by getting versatile clothes that transition from the warm end of summer into the cool fall days.  For girls think about dresses that can be worn with sandals while its warm, then with leggings, a jacket and trendy flat ankle boots when the temperatures drop.  For boys, you can’t go wrong with button-up shirts that can be worn open (with an undershirt) and shorts, or buttoned with pants and a jacket or sweater!

Happy shopping!

The post Back to School in a Breeze: Shopping appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

I know, I know; I always get that song stuck in my head, too (cue Alice Cooper now). And sometimes, at the beginning of summer, it can feel like there’s no end in sight. But trust me, not Alice Cooper, when I say school is not out forever. And I’ve compiled a list of ideas to help you and your child have a fun and constructive summer.

Camps: Camp doesn’t have to be a weeklong overnight stay in the woods somewhere. There are plenty of camps available throughout the country now for almost every imaginable activity and age group. Ask around, search the Internet and read through local magazines and newspapers to find the perfect summer camp for your child. There are day camps for sports, acting, painting and weekend camps for music and more. I highly suggest signing your child up for some sort of summer camp. It will get them out of the house, give them an outlet for excess energy and allow them some extra social time, too! It’s a win-win.

Outdoors: In the majority of places throughout the country, summer weather is beautiful. Take advantage of the sunshine and get your kids outside as often as possible. Head out for daily walks or bike rides. Go to the park and play on the swings and slides, throw or kick a ball around in a field, etc. Some of my favorite memories include spending the day at the beach with my children. Just make sure you sunscreen up, bring hats, sunglasses, snacks and lots of water! 

Play Dates: Play dates are excellent summertime activities. They allow your child to reconnect with friends from school who they may not otherwise get to see. And if you find another compatible family, you can sometimes team up for overnight play dates where one family will host an overnight one-week and during the next week you will swap – can you say extra date nights? Daytime play dates are very fun for kids, too. They are short and fun and allow children extra time to play and to socialize as well.

Family Vacation: No need to get extravagant here – unless you want to. A simple day outing, local “staycation” or overnight event will do! My kids love Disneyland, which turns into a mini-vacation even though we live in Los Angeles. Depending on the age of your children road trips can be very fun as can camping. The main goal of a family vacation is just to spend time all together enjoying and experiencing something as a family unit. They’re a great opportunity in which to grow and bond, and when better to share in such an adventure as summer break?

Get Creative: When in doubt, be creative. There are always going to be days during the summer when your child has “nothing to do,” and you, as the inventive daddy will need to come up with something for them to do. If you have a yard, I suggest sprinkler fun, kiddie pools and slip n’ slides. If your kids are older they might enjoy, and benefit from, the experience of hosting a lemonade stand. My kids also enjoy getting crafty whether that be in the form of painting something for Mom, making a fort in the living room or helping me bake brownies.

Volunteer: Get your children accustomed to volunteer work at a young age. There are ample places to volunteer in every community – I’m sure of it. Depending on how old your child is their tasks will vary, but they can volunteer at a soup kitchen, an old folks home, an animal shelter. They can offer their services as a tutor, reading to younger children, raising money for a greater cause or even donating their old or used items to underprivileged children. Volunteer work can be very powerful, and I suggest it be something every child participates in – in one way or another.

Summer break can be a very special, fun and enjoyable time for families. Take advantage of the time you get together and make the most of your break!

Happy parenting!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Daddy Nickell, father of 7, founder of Daddyscrubs.com and the Daddyscrubs parenting blog.

The post School Is Out for Summer appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

When you think about the most important people in your child’s life, do you consider their teacher to be one of those people?  If not, you should. Your child’s teacher should be the 3^rd most important person to your child after you, the parents. A teacher is with your child more than you are and will leave a lasting impression on them. By actively working on the communication with your child’s teacher, you can help make the relationship a strong and rewarding one.  A positive parent-teacher relationship helps your child feel good about school and be successful in school. Here are a few tips to help you grow your relationship with your child’s teacher:

1. At the start of each school year, give your child’s teacher your email address plus work, home and cell phone numbers. Teachers are busy, email questions instead of calling to save the teacher time.

2. Go to school conferences. I can’t stress this enough. Showing up says you’re an involved parent and that you’re open and ready to discuss your child’s learning and behavior. Let the teacher know that you view your relationship as a partnership in raising your child.

3.  Get involved. Volunteer in your child’s classroom or join the PTO. Being seen around the school and as a parent who participates puts you in a positive light with all school staff.  In addition, it allows you to build relationships with teachers outside of discussions about your child.

4. A little gratitude never hurts!  Show your child’s teacher you care and appreciate them.  A small gift during the holidays and a card with a thank you note during Teacher Appreciation Week.  It doesn’t have to cost a lot, it’s the sentiment and effort that counts. 

5. Be respectful of the teacher’s time/schedule.  Don’t burst in unannounced as you’re dropping your child off at school or try to have a lengthy discussion on the phone during the teacher’s lunch hour.  A hungry teacher may be a crabby teacher.  Email or call for an appointment.  If you’re both relaxed, chances are the conversation will go much better.

Just remember, all relationships take time and work–especially the good ones! 

Good luck! 

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel for dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Tips for Improving Parent-Teacher Communication appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.