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RocketCityMom
Navigating IEP Meetings
When my son first entered our school system in preschool, I was inundated with a new set of acronyms and the like to know, including a term that I had never heard before: IEP. Over the last few years, our experience with our son’s IEPs and the accompanying meetings have been mostly positive, but, over time, I discovered other parents were not having the same luck. This month, because many children with special needs qualify for IEPs, I want to talk about IEPs and offer some tips to help ensure successful IEP meetings.
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.”
Refresh Your Home This Year
If your home has seen better days, you may be wondering how you are going to clean it. If you own your home, you should look after it so you can sell it for a great price later. It also needs to be kept up to date and renovated whenever necessary. If you need some tips and tricks on how to keep your home clean, tidy, and fresh, take a look at the article below.
Beyond Dishes: Unexpected Uses for Your Dishwasher
If you are fascinated with ways to keep your home and contents sparkly, let me tell you a little secret. Did you know that your dishwasher is way more talented than just handling plates and cups? Yep, that underappreciated kitchen helper can actually do much more to keep your home clean and organized. Let’s dive into the capabilities of your dishwasher!
School Supply Shopping Tips from a Teacher Who Knows What’s Up
You either love school supply shopping or… you don’t. School supply lists seem to be getting longer and longer every year, and for a new shopper it’s super overwhelming. So what would happen if you could pair a first-time Kindergarten mom with an award-winning teacher, give them gift cards, and turn them loose to shop for school supplies? Lucky for you we thought it would be fun to do just that!
How To Survive Your Child’s Last Year of High School
My child graduated from high school last May. I have many friends who are now beginning the year I just survived… the last year of their child’s childhood. At least that’s how we parents tend to look at it because we know that once they go off to college, that’s the practical beginning of their adult life.
The Music Man is Coming to Town
By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is family entertainment at its best. Meredith Willson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold...
Huntsville Weekend Roundup July 5-7
Wishing you and yours a bright and happy Fourth of July weekend! ❤️🤍💙 Our top picks are below, but you can also check out our full event calendar for even more Huntsville weekend family fun!. This post is updated weekly with current family-friendly events and republished...
38 Family-Friendly Events Happening in Huntsville this July (32 are FREE!)
Summer is halfway over! Don’t fall prey to FOMO—below is our list of July picks for can’t-miss family events happening in Huntsville before school starts again, and many are entirely FREE! Just one caveat: We put all the Fourth 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?
Go ahead and mark your calendars! Alabama will hold its annual sales tax holiday beginning at 12:01 a.m. (CST) on Friday, July 19, and ending at midnight on Sunday, July 21, 2024. This weekend, shoppers can purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing tax-free. Local sales tax may apply. Tax-exempt...
Making Memories with Freedom Boat Club
What is it about kids and water? Most kids just love to play in the water, whether it’s the local pop jets, the community swimming pool, or splashing around in the kitchen sink while “doing dishes,” so nothing beats the opportunity to spend a day on the lake. Having your own family boat to make memories would be amazing, but if you’re anything like me, you are not looking for one more thing to manage, clean, or maintain. Well, now there’s a much better option in north Alabama…Freedom Boat Club.
2024 4th of July Celebrations & Fireworks Shows in North Alabama
You’re likely planning how to celebrate Independence Day in Huntsville and North Alabama with your family. Our list of 4th of July celebrations can help! Here are some more great parenting resources for the patriotic holiday – be sure to check back often because we’ll keep adding fireworks shows to this list as we learn of confirmed events.
Huntsville Weekend Roundup June 7-9
The summer fun is heating up! ☀️ Find our top picks below or check out our full event calendar for even more Huntsville weekend family fun!. This post is updated weekly with current family-friendly events and republished on a monthly basis. Free & Cheap Family Fun. Grab a...
31 Can’t Miss Family Friendly Events Happening in June
Summer is here and families are searching for ideas for things to do and especially things that are free or cheap. Below are our 31 picks for can’t miss family events happening in June (and 25 are completely FREE). Events included are some of our favorite ways to spend a summer day (or night) in North Alabama but certainly not everything so don’t stop here.
10 Totally Free Things to Do in Huntsville with Kids This Summer
Summer break can be hard on a parent’s wallet, especially when you’re trying to figure out a way to keep the kids entertained and off devices. Here are 10 totally free things to do in Huntsville that won’t break the bank! I suggest bookmarking it for easy access when you need it most. You can also get free event ideas every day of every week inside our Event Calendar as well as our 2024 Summer Activity Guide for Families!
Huntsville Splash Pads & Pop Jets Cheat Sheet
It’s hardly a secret that summertime in North Alabama is HOT. Hot as the hinges on the gates of Hades. Hotter than noon on the fourth of July. Hotter’n a blister bug in a pepper patch. So finding places to stay cool without breaking the bank or your AC is crucial to making summer plans. Lucky for you, our Splash Pad game is on point!
2024 Free & Cheap Summer Concerts in North Alabama
Summer means long days and warm nights which makes it perfect for enjoying a little outdoor music. Lucky for us that Huntsville has lots of opportunities for your family to enjoy FREE music all summer long. We’ve rounded up free and cheap concerts in North Alabama to enjoy with your family this summer.
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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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