WORDS: Christa Hardin, MA
It’s not every day that families get to eat together anymore, but should it be? While some families manage to dine around the table together for everyday grub, so many more are finding the attempts to eat together all but futile. One parent is working late, perhaps both, there are complicated schedules in the week when one child visits another parent, or perhaps there’s a sport …
WORDS: Kris Louis — Parentingwithkris.com
Now that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, schools are slowly gearing up for the start of the new year. Of course, you’ll need supplies — and children’s school supplies can add up fast! From clothing to computers, your budget can really take a beating. Here are some thrifty ideas for moms and dads who want to get everything their kids need without overspending.
Dip Into Online …
First-time parents must quickly learn to adjust to a new schedule and daily routine. Luckily, certain apps and other tools are great for first-time parents, because they can help you to set reminders to enforce the new schedule and build good habits for your child. Here are the best ones to keep in mind:
Apps to Download
There are tons of task-specific apps available for fine-tuning your organization as a …
My seven year old child is good at school but bad at home. What am I doing wrong? (Denise, Bradenton)
Erma Bombeck was a writer and comedian for over forty years. Her titles included, If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, Why am I in the Pits? and, At Wit’s End. Erma claimed she had six children – but we know she actually only has three. She said: “I …
WORDS: Jim Knapp, Triumph Martial Arts
The Physical Child
As children grow ever bigger and stronger it becomes increasingly important that parents take into consideration this question: Is my child Physically Literate? In school, children are taught how to read and write, then continue to be tested on their improvement of these skills. Physical skills should be treated the same way. Physical Literacy includes not only the understanding of several …
The sights and smells of summer on the Suncoast are in full effect. But for some children and families, bronzing sunshine, barbecues, and trips to camps are merely temporary distractions from the grief they live with every day. There’s no off button for grief. One in 14 children in Florida will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18, with more than 6,500 grieving children …
WORDS: Manatee County School Social Workers and Psychologists
Many of us have memories of the enjoyment of reading with our parents. Why is it that this practice often stops after children learn to read? The shared experience of being read to, and of reading to our parents, provides many benefits. Here are some important reasons to continue to read with your children for …
The new school year will bring many challenges for children as they get used to more difficult work in all their classes. Few subjects build on concepts and skills learned in years prior as much as math does. Many children simply aren’t ready to pick up where they left off. We are here to help!
The start of a new school year comes with an adjustment period as students bid …
WORDS: Jessica Anderson
With summer upon us, Manatee County Schools Food and Nutrition Services is again preparing to feed students across the county. For the last 12 years, the Summer BreakSpot program has been helping provide nourishment to local children during the long summer months.
This program provides free meals for kids at multiple locations starting on June 3rd. Last year, over 205,000 meals were served at 59 …
WORDS: Merab-Michal Favorite
Imagine if being sent to the corner, or to time out, was less of a punishment and more of a therapeutic experience that included items meant to calm the senses and regulate emotions.
“When children start crying uncontrollably because they don’t get their way, the most primitive part of their brain is taking over and preventing them from making rational decisions,” said Marina Bunch, Clinical Director of …
With summer right around the corner, students are getting ready to ditch books and tests for beaches and travel. Most students, following a standard nine-month school calendar, get to enjoy this break from school.
Studies have shown that one unintended consequence of these long summer vacations can be loss of academic knowledge and skills – a summer learning “slide.” According to the National Education Commission on Time and Learning (NECTL), …
WORDS: Niki Richards
When your child struggles meeting developmental milestones, having a support system and a team of highly skilled therapists on your side is priceless. That’s the goal of the Manatee Memorial Hospital Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Service, to become part of the families’ support system and, in time, part of their family.
The program has been serving the community for over 20 years and recently found a new home …
