My concern has been for my children because they are used to mommy being available 24/7 and now I am juggling work and home. I thought my kids would  suffer my absence but they are still thriving.  I cannot volunteer at their school as often as I used to but they are making tons of friends and loving school.  I don't get to drive them to school and even leave for work an hour before they leave for school.  Still, they responsibly finish getting ready for school and always look forward to riding the bus. 

There was value in being home with them during the preschool years but there is also value in being a working mom now that they are a bit older and more self sufficient.  As we get ready in the morning, my daughters are learning lessons in time management and promptness. They realize the importance of being on time for work by the attention I give it.  The night before we pick out, iron, and lay out our clothes for the next day.  Lunches are planned, bags are packed, shoes and coats are hanging in the closet.  Being a working mom gives me the opportunity to show the importance of these things that I would otherwise fail to show as a stay-at-home mom.

I still think there is so much value to being home with your children and I miss it.  My children do not get as much one-on-one time with me.   I definately don't get to teach as much as I'd like. For those of you who want to give your children enrichment but don't have time, you can have them go to http://www.starfall.com to learn how to read.  I also have a long list of technology sites to help children advance in several areas such as math, language, history, and problem solving.  For a complete list go to  http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology     there      Thttp://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology http://www.mommyteaching.com/blog/tag/Technology

Upon reflection, I've come to realize the time I spent home with my daughters strengthened our bond and my time with them as a working mom enables me to teach more operational lesson on life and how to thrive in the real world.  My thought is that if you have support and help from family you trust, your children will thrive in each situation.

• Macaroni and Cheese
• Macaroni and Sauce
• Macaroni with olive oil and lots of parmesan cheese
• Perogies
• Ravioli (plain or with sauce)
• Pasta Salad

MEATS

• Meat and cheese (and veggies)  sandwich (Dietzel and Watson are no filler cold cuts)
• Meat and cheese (and veggies) rolled in a soft tortilla
• Rolled meat filled with cream cheese
• Rolled meat filled with mayo
• Meat Pizza
• Chicken nuggets
• Chicken fried rice
• Tacos
• Chicken salad
• Baked chicken with bbq sauce

NON MEAT PROTEINS

• Cheese pizza
• Cheese and crackers
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Pretzel dipped in peanut butter
• Apple with peanut butter
• Banana with peanut butter
• Beans and rice
• Hummus on pita bread
• Hummus with favorite veggies

SEAFOOD

• Fish sticks
• Crab meat sandwich (imitation crab meat with mayo)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Soup
• Egg rolls
• Nutella sandwich
• Nutella with sliced strawberries
• Nutella with sliced banana
• Cinnamon toast (bread, butter, sugar, and cinnamon)
• Salad

SIDES

• Cheese stick
• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese (with or without sliced fruit)
• Apple with cinnamon sugar
• Any fruit (whole or cut up)
• Favorite veggie with dip (salad dressing or veggie dip) 

"Sail, sail, sail three ships slowly through the sea.

Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria, count them one two three

Land, land, land they saw after many days

Hurray hurray for Columbus

Columbus found the way

I think it is great that my children learn important facts about Columbus day while in school but other learning oppportunities are overlooked.  Columbus set his mind to explore new lands and he did it despite hardship and opposition.  He persisted to find funding for his travels and never let opposition stop him from accomplishing his goals.  His character demonstrated a strong sense of perseverence and hard work.  These qualities need to be pointed out as learning tools for our children.

1. Make sure your children have the equipment and tools to accomplish the goal at hand.  If you want your children to do chores, then let them have a cubby hole of supplies they can get to when it’s time to pick up or clean.  If you have older children who do homework then make them a homework survival kit with pencils, markers, rulers…etc.
2. Set up an area that is well-lit, quiet and off limits to others during the task time. 
3. Schedule the activity at the same time every week or every day depending on what it is you want your children to do.  If you want your children to make their bed then have them do it at the same time every day.     
4. Encourage your children to do the task on their own.  When children are empowered to take responsibility for a task, it gives them ownership over it and they are more likely to continue doing the task. 
5. Motivate your children with praise, rewards, and special privileges.
6. Break down big tasks into several smaller ones with due dates for each part.
7. Clearly define expectations for your children.
8. Be available to your child for questions and help.
9. Explain to your children why the activity or task is so important.  Tell them how it affects them and others.  Understanding the relevance of the activity will help motivate your children to participate.
10. Stay positive even when your children fail.  Remind children that failure is part of learning and practicing.  Coach  them to use failure as a stepping stone to the next success.   

This is my first time teaching full time since my kids were born.  My worry is that my parenting will suffer now that I am working.   The other day my daughters didn't want to eat their broccoli.  I was so tired I almost just let it go.  Will one day without veggies hurt them?  Maybe not but it will throw off my consistency in making them eat a balanced meal.   Instead of forcing them to eat broccoli, I told them to imagine the broccoli as trees.  My sister chimed in that the kids could pretend they are giraffes eating leaves off a tree.  My children, niece and nephew all begged us to hold  the broccoli up in the air while they stretched their necks to reach the leaves.   I'm sure you can imagine the children wanted to continue eating broccoli and they each ate three full servings of broccoli.  Amazing that such a simple activity could motivate children to do what you want them to do.

Read more at http://vickids.tamu.edu/nutrition/index.html

1. Help children develop productive habits.  First model correct behavior.  Then teach children to monitor their own actions.  A checklist works for monitoring.  Some examples of productive habits are as follows: cleaning the table after dinner, putting dirty dishes and utensils in the sink and generally picking up after themselves.
2. Instruct children to keep their room picked up.  Allow children to give themselves a star on a chart for each evening that their room remains orderly.
3. Implement weekly chores for your children.  First model how to perform the chores then hold children accountable for making sure their siblings do them.  Create a system of checks and balances to promote teamwork and cooperation.
4. Have children pick out and lay out their clothing for the next day.    
5. Have children pack their backpacks with necessary items for school, play-dates or any other events.
6. Have children keep track of their bathing schedules: every day or every other day.
7. Teach children the days of the week.  Let them know your daily routine for each day.  Help them recall the day and the events that will occur on that particular day.
8. Have children contribute to house rules and give them some power to implement them.
9. Allow children to come up with a way to organize toys and belongings.
10. Encourage children to reward themselves for a job well done.  Teach instrinsic (from self) satisfaction and minimize extrinsic (from others) rewards.

I have been a stay-at-home, work-from-home mom for over seven years.  This is my first year back in the classroom and my daughters go to school.   Our mornings are busy and rushed but we are getting acclimated to our new schedules.  The checklist shown below is how I make my daughters accountable for getting themselves ready.  Try it.  It really works!

Stay tuned for more ideas on how to make your children accountable.  Coming Tuesday, September 13!

1. Let children know you care about them
2. Have age-appropriate and realistic expectations of children.
3. Show consideration and respect to children. They will return what is modeled.
4. Do admit and apologize if you have done something wrong.
5. Have fun every day.
6. Avoid comparing children.
7. Avoid discussing children’s misdeeds with other children.
8. Discipline in a way that is consistent and fair.
9. Make sure children really understand why they are being punished.  Give children a chance to explain their part if necessary.  
10. Avoid threats and follow through on consequences.

1. Children should have their home address and phone number memorized
2. For extra assurance, keep a note in children’s bags containing their home address and phone number.
3. Keep your children’s names off their backpacks, jewelry, and clothing. If a stranger sees their name, he could use the information to manipulate children into thinking they know the stranger.
4. Children should memorize their bus number if they take the bus. For children who walk to school, remind them to avoid talking to strangers. For more safety tips on traveling to and from school, go to http://www.rd.com/family/back-to-school-safety-tips/
5. Keep backpacks as light as possible so children don’t injure their backs from carrying heavy loads

Here are additional Back To School issues discussed in the following articles:

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml

http://safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-spotlight/back-to-school-safety/

http://www.nsc.org/safety_home/SafetyObservances/Pages/BackToSchoolSafety.aspx

This site has great tips on how to deal with bullies. Scroll down the page to find these tips at  http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/augschool.cfm