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The Three D’s of Learning Challenges
When it comes to school, we’re all familiar with the three Rs: reading, (w)riting, & (a)rithmetic. All three are the basis of our education, from our early days learning letters and numbers to later years in high school and even college, writing papers and surviving calculus. What happens, though,...
5 Ways to Go Back to School Shopping in Huntsville & North Alabama
Let’s cut to the chase. Time is already running out for summer and parents all over Madison County and North Alabama are getting ready to embark on that annual chore of back to school shopping. There are about a thousand different ways to acquire all those new notebooks, pencils, laptops, shoes, and other things kids need to start a fresh school year. Different families use different strategies to get it all together, so we’re detailing five of our favorite methods just for you.
Five Reasons to Take Year-Round Swim Lessons with SafeSplash Swim School
Swimming doesn’t have to end with the warm weather. Although splashing around in an outdoor pool is perfect for the summer months, swimming is far from just a summer sport. Indoor and heated pools provide all-year access to water. Plus, year-round swimming can be an excellent source of socialization, activity, and safety lessons for kids.
To the Mothers of Incoming Middle Schoolers
First of all – breathe. Breeeeaaaathe. It’s going to be okay. Middle School is now behind my household (for a few more years anyway), which means:. 1) We’re now staring into the void of high school while realizing, and. 2) We’re old, and. 3)We’ve successfully navigated...
How to Start Homeschooling in Huntsville
“I’m thinking seriously about homeschooling my kids, but I don’t know where to start! Can you help me?” We get this question A LOT from readers, and yes, it can be overwhelming! RCM works with all sorts of local educators and schools – public, private, and homeschoolers. We have a wealth of resources to share for families who want to start homeschooling in Huntsville.
A Pep Talk for the Parents of a New Kindergartner
So. You’re sending your child off to Kindergarten. It’s probably time for a pep talk. Let me guess. You’re excited and sad at the same time, and maybe just the tiniest bit anxious. You’re worried that your precious baby won’t fit in, or that they won’t make friends, or that they’ll miss you, or you’ll miss them. You’re worried that their teacher won’t love them as much as you do (they won’t, how could they?). That they aren’t ready, that school will suck all the creativity and joy out of your child, that you aren’t ready.
Spicing Up 1st Day of School Photos
Most of us make our kids pose by the front door – backpacks slung over the shoulder – for that First Day Of School photo at the start of every year. I have one child who is about to start THE 11th grade and I know I’ve done it every August since he was five. I planned on doing the same thing with my daughter as she starts Kindergarten this year, but after going through the photos I have of her brother I came to a shocking realization. Those First Day Of School photos are neither interesting nor informative. It’s actually a little hard to tell what picture goes with what grade, unless I pull them all together and stack them by Size Of Child In Photo.
Hacking The Homework Hassle
When the New Year rolls around I always feel a little guilty thinking that I should be making grand self-improvement plans when really I just want to get the kids back to school and catch my breath. I have friends who talk about their resolutions, and the goal setting they’ve done, and to be honest I feel like a bit of a slacker. Goal setting? Sheesh, I just survived the holidays with some shred of sanity intact, isn’t that enough? But even though I won’t be committing to losing 25 pounds, or writing my first novel, I do feel like there are areas of my life I want to put more effort into. The most important of those areas right now is trying to make homework time more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Kindergarten Readiness – Twelve Ways to Prepare Your Child
Veteran Randolph teacher Mary Jones has strong opinions about Kindergarten, calling it “the best part of school, the most important part of school.” She explains that this first stage of formal schooling gives teachers the opportunity to intervene early to thwart a student’s belief that he or she “can’t.”
Extracurricular Fees Can Be Exorbitant: These Parents Want to Help
By invitation, I joined the recent board meeting of Patrons and Players. Patrons and Players provides funding for kids who need help with fees associated with extracurricular activities. I sat down to a table filled with volleyball and gymnastics moms, band and track dads, and one proud grandmother who shared their passion for helping others get the same experiences. I was met with smiles all around the table, paired with enthusiasm and genuineness. Their heart for getting kids with financial need access to extracurricular activities was evident.
Legacy Park of Huntsville is a Local Gem
A brand new, $4.6 million park just opened at the former campus of JO Johnson High School in Huntsville, and it is a site to behold! Legacy Park in North Huntsville is a brand new unique recreational space for the entire community to enjoy. The playground’s main attraction is the eye-catching CLIMBING SPHERE, which sports a massive web of crisscrossing climbing ropes. This equipment provides versatile play activities, exploration, and high-capacity play for numerous children, all while working on those social and physical skills.
Go On a Hunt for These Artistic Huntsville Murals!
Huntsville is not only a place for rocket scientists and engineers, but a city full of creative artists with fun murals spread throughout for us to discover and enjoy. Whether you are brand new to the city or have never branched out, this tour of local murals can help you discover the unique and creative side of Huntsville while having fun with your family. How many can you find together? It’s time to go on a mural hunt!
The Stain Left Behind by Birth Trauma
Author’s Note: The following story contains graphic descriptions of blood, infant respiratory distress, and birth trauma – please proceed with caution. Blood so dark it was almost black coated my hand, my blood. Alarm bells had been ringing in my head since I’d started the pushing phase of the delivery process, but until this moment I had dismissed them as the overactive nerves of a first-time mom. As it would turn out, it was only the beginning of a traumatic birth experience that would stain my early motherhood moments as surely as the blood on my hand. For Birth Trauma Awareness Week, I’ll be sharing my story and resources for those that have found themselves in the same boat.
Explore the history of the gold rush & tour BabyLand General Hospital on this Dahlonega roadtrip
The historic town of Dahlonega, Georgia, located roughly 40 minutes south of the Alpine-esque Helen, Georgia, is a beautiful and unique town nestled in the mountains of North Georgia that is well worth a visit. Dahlonega is the site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush in 1828 (twenty years before the California Gold Rush). This small town is bursting with Southern charm, earning it Southern Living Magazine’s award for “The South’s Best Mountain Towns.” While on our visit we were able to explore the Dahlonega Gold Museum in the heart of Downtown Dahlonega and the Consolidated Gold Mine. Dahlonega is also famous for its antique shops, where amateur and professional antiquing is a stone’s throw away from almost anywhere in town. Between Helen and Dahlonega rests the small mountain town of Cleveland, Georgia. Here you will feel the nostalgia of the 1980s’ most famous babies, the Cabbage Patch Kids. Intrigued? Read on to learn more!
Huntsville Weekend Roundup July 7-9
Get ready to slide into a weekend full of fun! Find our top picks below or check out our full event calendar for even more family fun!. This post is updated weekly with current family-friendly events and republished on a monthly basis. Summer 2023 Activities Guide. Summertime is perfect for...
19 Family-Friendly Events Happening in Huntsville this July (17 are FREE!)
Summer is halfway over! Don’t fall prey to FOMO – below are our July picks for can’t-miss family events happening in Huntsville before school starts again and many are completely FREE! Just one caveat… we put all the 4th of July events in their own list, so be sure to click here if you’re looking for those celebrations.
When is the Back to School Tax Free Weekend in Huntsville?
Go ahead and mark your calendars! Alabama will hold its 15th annual sales tax holiday, beginning at 12:01 a.m. (CST) on Friday July 21, and ending at twelve midnight on Sunday July 23, 2023. This weekend gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing tax free. Local sales tax may apply.
The Knight School Chess Academy: Fostering Academic Confidence and Lifelong Success
In education, chess is making waves that go far beyond the checkered board. With countless chess moms and dads attesting to its transformative power, the impact of chess on academic confidence cannot be understated. As a chess coach and educator at The Knight School Chess Academy, I have witnessed firsthand the profound influence chess has on students’ readiness to conquer their classrooms.
Race on over to Bowling Green for ice cream, an underground boat tour, & speedsters
Wanting to explore Kentucky but not sure where? Look no further than Bowling Green. A mere 3-hour drive from the Huntsville Metro Area, Bowling Green is a fun destination for a weekend getaway whether you have teens or toddlers. Read on to participate in the journey with us!. Chaney’s Dairy...
The North Georgia Mountains Offer a Perfect Retreat for Families
North Georgia offers an incredible variety of outdoor activities and scenic places for the whole family. It is the perfect weekend getaway with the kids to see waterfalls, mountain peaks, and small mountain towns. Where to Stay in North Georgia. We stayed in a cabin located between Blue Ridge, GA...
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A hyperlocal website dedicated to all aspects of parenting in Huntsville and North Alabama. We share information that makes parenting in Huntsville easier.
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