Say it with us, “I’m going easy on myself today”

Parenting is no walk in the park, and sometimes it feels like the cards are stacked against us: work, dealing with tantrums (be it your toddler or tween), laundry, inflation on just about everything. That’s why it is more important than ever to offer some positive reinforcement… to yourself! We talked to the experts and came up with 15 positive affirmations to write down, display, or pull out on the days or in the moments when you need a lift.

Why positive affirmations can make you a better parent

We asked renowned parenting expert Reena B. Patel why positive affirmations matter. Patel, who is also a licensed educational psychologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and the author of Winnie & Her Worries, reminds us that positive affirmations are rooted in positive psychology. “Positive, simple statements help shift your focus away from perceived failures and direct your focus toward your strengths,” says Patel. “We believe and act upon what we think, thus leading to self-fulfilling prophecies if we focus only on what we are not good at. There is power in positive thinking. Positive emotions are linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being.”

Patel also suggests that, whenever possible, parents try to state their affirmation while looking at themselves in the mirror, and by saying the statement multiple times a day (at least three is ideal). Use positive “I’ statements and place a visual of the words in an area that you can see daily as a reminder, she adds.

1. I am a good parent. It’s easy to criticize ourselves and focus on how we think we’re failing as a mom or dad. But parenting is tough, and we’re all doing the best we can. Acknowledge that fact, and tell yourself out loud, every day, that you’re a good parent.

2. Loving myself is the greatest gift I can give to my child. Kids are sponges and they learn from us. So if your kiddos know you appreciate yourself, they will learn to love themselves. That’s one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids.

3. I’m not perfect. We all know that nobody is perfect. But we place a big expectation on ourselves as parents to be pretty close to it. Repeating that mantra is a great reminder that it’s okay to be human, not to be perfect.

4. I can only control myself. It’s so hard, but one of the best ways to help kids grow emotionally is to exhibit mature behavior. Debbie Pincus, MS LMHC, says, “When we react emotionally to our kids and lose control, we’re allowing our kids to determine how we behave rather than the other way around.” Next time your kid throws a massive fit, try to stay calm and see what happens.

5. I am willing to learn and grow. Patel reminds us that it is critical to embrace change and growth, even when things seem tough. After all, it’s what we’d tell our kids, right?
6. Today is a new day. It’s easy to focus on how yesterday was a bad day. Sanah Rizvi, the founder of The Psych Way, suggests shifting the self-talk to focus on how every day is a chance to make progress toward what you want and the person you want to be.

7. I’m doing the best I can do. At the end of the day, that’s all we can do. Repeating that mantra every day will help you accept it as truth.

8. I make good decisions for my kids. This positive affirmation is a tough one to remember, especially when little ones are very vocal about making their displeasure with our decisions known. Parent Trust points out that moms and dads know they’re making the right choices for their kids. Embrace it and repeat the statement to yourself as a reminder.

9. I’m going easy on myself today. Permit yourself to take it easy. Say it out loud and grow comfortable with the idea.

10. It’s okay to ask for help, and what’s more, I deserve it. It’s time to take control of your needs and be OKAY with asking for help. You’ll be surprised to find out how many people are willing to step up if you just ask them.

11. Parenting is exhausting. Every parent knows this statement to be true. Writer Lauren Tamm suggests repeating this mantra as a reminder that taking care of kids is hard work. No wonder we’re so tired at the end of the day!

12. I am loved. Motherhood can be a thankless job, and little ones aren’t known for their compliments. Parent coach and family therapist Nicole Schwarz reminds moms that even though their kids may not say it, they really do feel that way. You just may need to put words to it.

13. I am what my kiddo needs. At the end of the day, there’s nothing else that’s as true as that statement.

14. It won’t always be like this. The one thing we know for sure is that hardships always pass. From colicky babies to navigating social media with tweens, one day, you’ll find yourself on the other side.

15. I do not need to compare. ” I know my kids the best, and comparisons do not serve me. If I notice myself comparing, I will quickly let it go,” Patel says. And that’s a lead worth following.

—with additional reporting by Leah Singer

Ride the rails, set sail for adventure, take in the big city, and so much more

We know that families are eager to get out there and see the world—and 2024 is going to be the year that they do it in a major way. We expect to see lots of families taking those big trips with both domestic and international destinations on the agenda for 2024. Airfare prices continue to remain high but there are more and more ways to find cheaper flights including a bunch of lower-cost airlines that have added US routes this past year. Road trips aren’t going away either as families pretty much have these down by now. Where will 2024 take you?

Low-Cost Airlines Can Get You Where You Need to Go for Less

istock

Chances are you are familiar with low-cost domestic airlines like Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit but did you know that there are low-cost airlines that will take you to Europe, Tahiti, Japan, and loads of other spots beyond the U.S.? Airlines like French bee, PLAY, Norse, and ZIPAIR have been adding routes from the U.S. in recent years and they are a great option for families looking to spend less on airfare.

We've flown French bee to Paris and Tahiti with kids and found it to be very comparable to other carriers like American Airlines and United. Just make sure you know what is included in your fare and what will incur an additional cost (like checked baggage, seat selection, and meals) before you book with these airlines so there are no surprises. 

Credit Card Points Offer a Way to Hack the System

Not everyone is interested in playing the credit card points game but those who know how to work the system often share that they can get some pretty great deals using signup bonuses. Websites like The Points Guy and NerdWallet are great places to start learning about what credit cards work best for travel and what deals are on the horizon. If you time your credit card sign-up right, many programs will gift you enough miles for free tickets. Plus, these travel cards often offer perks like free Global Entry or TSA PreCheck which are key in making your travel experience the best it can be. 

Families Want to Ride the Rails

Wendy Altschuler

According to Pinterest, 2024 brings slow travel to the forefront. After the busyness of 2023 with everyone getting back into travel in a big way, 2024 will have families slowing it down and looking for more mellow ways to travel. We predict that this will lead to more families will riding the rails for their next vacation. Nobody has to drive, your sleeping quarters are included, and you get to see some of the most gorgeous areas of the country. Bonus: it's super eco-friendly. From trains that take you to five national parks, to those that take you from New England to Florida, there's so much exploring to do. 

All-Inclusives Are Worth the Money

Club Med

Once thought of as a honeymoon-only extravagance, families are turning toward all-inclusive properties for vacations, especially when traveling with grandparents. Nobody has to cook, you know what you're going to spend in advance and kids will love getting to order mocktails from the swim-up bar. Some of our favorite spots: Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic, Villa la Valencia Beach Resort & Spa in Los Cabos, and Margarita Beach Resort Ambergris Cay in Belize. 

Cruising Is Back in a Major Way

Cruising has seen a major uptick in the past year and we are looking forward to checking out new ships like Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas in 2024. Set sail for Alaska to catch the salmon run or book your vacation on the Disney Wish for a trip that's full of character breakfasts and kid activities. 

Those looking to cruise on a smaller scale should look to adventure cruise companies like UnCruise and Adventure Canada where you can expect small ships, small crews, and only a few hundred passengers. Bonus: Families will find that expedition cruising offers a level of personalization that you can't get on other cruises. 

Back to the Big City

Kate Loweth

The last few years have seen road trips and national parks vacations getting their time in the spotlight. According to Expedia, cultural capitals like Edinburgh, Lisbon, Tokyo, Dublin, and Sydney are going to see a lot more travel focus for 2023. We can get on board for that! 

Spend Some Time in a National Park

family hiking in a national park
istock

With over 400 national parks in the United States, chances are there are quite a few nearby that you have yet to explore. According to Airbnb, national parks travel will be a huge focus for 2024 and we can understand why. National park trips are particularly fun for families as they give kids (and parents!) a little history lesson and a big dose of fresh air at the same time. Check out these national parks that are particularly kid-friendly from California all the way to Maine. While you are at it, check this list to see what days are free at the national parks for 2024

Road Trips (Still) Reign Supreme

The past few years really brought back our love of the road trip. If you are itching to find a new destination for 2024, check out this list of our favorite road trips in the U.S. and find unique Airbnb rentals you can reserve along the way. Before you head out, peruse this list of road trip hacks to get your crew prepared for the long journey, and download some of our favorite podcasts for kids so you don't have to fight over the radio station. 

Head to the Trees

Airbnb

Whether it's the need to get as far away from civilization as possible or a Swiss Family Robinson obsession, families are taking to the trees and booking a night or two in a treehouse. There are loads of treehouses you can rent across the country with a ton of options, especially in California. There's even a brand-new treehouse resort near the Smoky Mountains that just opened in 2023. 

More Travel with the Grandparents

We expect to see a continuation of the multi-generational travel trend in 2024 with families looking to get out and travel with grandparents. Whether you send the kids off on their "gramping" adventure without you or are looking for somewhere that three generations can enjoy, there are plenty of options out there. 

Guided, Small-Group Trips

Exodus Travels

We want to go big with our travel plans but the actual planning of the trip is most definitely not part of the fun. Leave the planning and execution of your trip up to experts like Exodus Travels. You can book a private trip for your family, or join in a small group with other families that have similarly-aged kids to make it even more fun. Whether you go self-guided or have an expert there to show you the way, this type of travel is definitely the way to go for families. 

Another great option for a customized travel experience is Costa Rica Escapes, a company that specializes in creating family adventures based on the needs of your family. Definitely something you'll want to explore in 2024. 

Off-the-Grid Adventures

Many of us have developed our love of the great outdoors these past few years and we'll be looking for off-the-grid adventures for our 2024 trips. Think about a kayak trip in Yellowstone or a ranch vacation complete with a hot spring pool in Idaho. There are tons of awesome options out there with no WiFi in range. 

Ride Off into the Sunset in an RV

Kate Loweth

While most of us never considered RV travel as a fun option for a family, it has exponentially increased in popularity in recent years and we expect this trend to continue into 2024. If you are a total RV newbie, we suggest leaving the planning to the experts when you book your first RV trip. Think you can handle it on your own? Rent an RV, grab yourself a WiFi hotspot, and head out on the road to give road schooling a try. You can even try out the rad stylings of a camper van

Cozy Cabins to Get Away from It All

There's something so restorative about a weekend in the woods. Cabin rentals have become super popular and we don't expect that to change in 2024. They offer families time together, many times without WiFi, and you can even bring your dog. 

Make It a Micro-cation

If time and money are tight (hello, inflation), consider a micro-cation for your next family trip. These four-day-or-less trips allow you to see someplace new and get a break from everyday life. It's a good way to get the kids used to traveling without having to pack a ton of gear for everyone. Surprise the kids with a last-minute trip and see a new part of the country.

Take the Family Glamping

Mendocino Grove

Glamping gives you the best of both worlds—the smell of a campfire in your hair and an actual bed to sleep on. You won't have to schlep all of your camping gear with you, everyone gets a better night's sleep, and you still get time out in the woods away from WiFi and civilization. Check out some of our favorite spots for glamping including loads of options in California.

Your kids aren’t the only ones who will love the last idea on the list

In anticipation of another school season, not to mention all the shopping that comes with it, these back-to-school ideas will help get kids in the headspace of a new school year. From chalk messages to lunch notes, and family dinners, these are our favorite back-to-school traditions to choose from to help make the new year feel special.

This article is sponsored by Kemps®, which has been delighting families with wholesome and delicious dairy products since 1914. Just in time for the new school year, Kemps® has recently introduced Kemps® Smooth Cottage Cheese—a healthy, convenient, and versatile snack that’s the perfect addition to your child’s lunchbox, and your fridge for after-school snacks.

1. Count it down. Make the first day of school something to look forward to by crafting a paper countdown chain. Each day, tear one link off the chain and ask the kiddos to name something they’re looking forward to about school.

2. Have a show-and-tell dinner on the first night. Family dinners are always important, but make it a back-to-school tradition to allow the kids to tell you everything about their first day, from the friends they haven’t seen over the summer to the classroom layout or what they had for lunch.

3. A day-one surprise. Celebrate the first day in style with a visit from the First Day of School Fairy. She can deliver a few back-to-school school supplies, along with an encouraging note for the new year. For more on this fun idea, visit Differentiated Kindergarten.

4. Make a family motto. To help your little ones start the new school year in the right mindset, come up with a short family motto. It’ll help remind everyone what’s important in tough moments throughout the year. Have the kids write it out and decorate it. Learn more about the importance of creating a family “coat of arms” here

5. Customize something. You can order specialized pencils with their name or label their new water bottle, but allowing your kids to stake their claim on school gear can help them feel confident about heading back to school.

6. Make an awesome breakfast. You’ll be throwing cereal and milk at the kids soon enough, so why not whip up a fancy breakfast for their first day? It’ll keep your kids full, and make them look forward to getting up early! 

7. Read a special book the night before. Whether it’s Oh, The Places You’ll Go! or Miss Nelson Is Missing!find a classic picture book that’ll get your kids ready to start the new year.

8. Decorate your pad. Either let your kids help with the decor or surprise your school-aged sweeties with a decorated door when they wake up in the morning. Whatever you choose to do, it’s a great way to celebrate!

9. Draw a self-portrait. Let your little Einsteins create a version of themselves in a back-to-school outfit. It’s a great way to pass those last few summer days, and it’s a sure bet for getting kids excited about donning their new threads and heading to the classroom. See how Hands On As We Grow completed this fun activity.

10.  Make a sundae bar. This sweet, simple back-to-school idea is sure to calm anyone’s jitters about heading back to school. Put your favorite toppings in jars and make them meaningful with labels encouraging the qualities you’d like to see demonstrated throughout the new year. Have your little scholar cover their ice cream in kindness, bravery, obedience, and happiness, and then top it off with sprinkles of love. 

11. Celebrate School Year’s Eve. You celebrate New Year’s Eve, so why not do the same for School Year’s Eve? Get poppers or noisemakers, provide a few treats, and throw a little dance party. It’ll get your students excited for what’s to come, and it’s a great way to include some of the other fun ideas on this list. Looking for more inspiration? Check out the School Year’s Eve party guide over at 11 Cupcakes.

12.  Interview your kids. Discover goals, fears, and questions about school by interviewing your little scholars before the first bell rings. It’s not very hard to come up with a list of questions, and whether you write down the answers or videotape your tykes, it’s a memory everyone will treasure for years to come.

13. Create a bucket list. You do it for summer, so why not make one for the school year? Whether they want to jump a reading level or two or try out for a new sport, when kids have goals, they succeed!

Related: 39 School Jokes for Kids (because You Really Need a Laugh)

back to school traditions and back to school ideas like back to school pictures are fun
Brittney Fort

 

14. Take cool pictures. Everyone loves to document the first and last day of school. There are so many creative ways to commemorate the occasion—from chalkboards to t-shirts and more. You can find our favorite ideas here. For those simply wanting to share moments with friends and family without making it a public display, there are safe options like the Tinybeans app (you can learn more and download it here!), which puts parents in total control of who can see and interact with photos and videos.

15. Have a back-to-school dinner. Make a favorite meal that includes one of these delicious Disney Park treats and celebrate the start of another school year with an awesome dinner in their honor will always make your kids feel special.

16. Have a special activity for the end of the first day of school. Whether you take them to their favorite park to burn off that first-day anxiety, have a craft planned, or grab an ice cream and talk, it’s easy to make the first after-school afternoon unique.

17. Write a sidewalk chalk message. If there’s a sweeter first day of school tradition than a chalk message outside the front door, we haven’t found it. Go all out or keep it simple; either way, it’s an extra boost to help ease those first-day jitters. If your first day is distance learning, surprise the kids with a message they can see from the window or on a quick preschool start walk. 

18. Give them a new book. Get your bookworms ready by gifting them a new book before school starts. Those required reading minutes will go faster when they’ve got the latest release in their favorite series. Plus, we’re pretty sure kids can never have too many books.

19. Pack a super special lunch.
Packing their lunch in a special lunchbox or bento box with a treat or a lunchbox joke is a great back-to-school idea! Get your kids involved by asking them what they want, and have them help you get it ready! Check out our favorite creative lunches here

20. Top Ten. Much like late-night talk shows’ top ten lists, this one asks kids to list the top ten moments of their first day back in school.

21. Make a time capsule. Whether you choose to open it at the end of the school year or much later on in your kids’ school career, a time capsule is a great way to capture these special moments.

 

They’ll have more time at home, but will they be bored when they get into the classroom?

It’s hard to believe that little one, who used to fit snugly in the crook of your arm, is finally ready for kindergarten…or are they? Maybe you should wait another year? After all, what is the right kindergarten age? Especially since the practice of “redshirting” kids—giving them an extra year before starting kindergarten (making them one of the oldest as opposed to the youngest)—has risen in popularity. But like most trends in the parenting world, it leaves parents wondering if it really is a good idea. That’s why we looked at the studies and asked experts to weigh in on what is the right age to start kindergarten. Here’s what we found.

Getting Kids Started in Kindergarten

The preschool years are over and it’s time to start kindergarten. But where do parents start? Where we do with all things—online and by asking other parents. Now is the time to check out your local school’s website or find and join parent Facebook pages or other social media accounts associated with the school. Other suggestions include talking to parents with older kids, and asking your preschool teacher about local schools and expectations. There are lots of resources out there for parents with inquiring minds.

Kindergarten First Year Enrollment

Although kindergarten enrollment varies from state to state, parents can expect to encounter some similar requirements no matter where they live. Here are a few universals:

  • In most states, kids must turn five years old by a certain date, usually September 1.
  • Many schools require kids to have certain vaccinations before starting school; check with your district about specific requirements.
  • Most will ask for proof of residence. A utility bill or other piece of mail works fine.
  • You may be asked to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate to enroll.

What Do Kids Learn in Kindergarten?

Although the curriculum varies from district to district across the country, parents can count their kindergartners learning the alphabet, sight words, phonics, and basic sentence structure as part of Language Arts. Math covers basics like number recognition, counting, addition and subtraction, measurement, and basic geometry. Additionally, hands-on activities and play-based learning help kids learn about real-world concepts like weather, plants, and animals. But many would say the most important things kids learn in kindergarten support their social-emotional growth (or soft skills) like building relationships, solving conflicts, and developing empathy and self-awareness.

What is the difference between Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Transitional to Elementary School (TES)?

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a two-year public school program designed for kids who turn 5 between September 2 and December 2 of the school year. It provides an additional year of instruction, focused on developing social-emotional skills, language and literacy, math, and physical development, to support kids who may not be ready for kindergarten just yet.

Transitional to Elementary School (TES) is a program offered by preschools or childcare centers to prepare children for kindergarten. It typically focuses on language and literacy, math, social-emotional development, and basic self-help skills so kids can successfully transition to the academic and social expectations of kindergarten.

Related: How to Help Your Child Transition to Kindergarten Like a Pro

Pros of Delaying Kindergarten

three kids who are kindergarten age draw at a table with markers in the classroom
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Your kid will (probably) be more willing to sit still if given an extra year.

Whether or not your five-year-old will sit still during circle time or stay on task at writing centers (or at home) may actually depend on her age, since younger children generally have a harder time doing both. Studies have shown that kids are often misdiagnosed with behavior problems in kindergarten when in fact, the behaviors are just a matter of being younger than classmates. And, according to this Stanford University study, children who wait a year to enroll have significantly lower levels of inattention and hyperactivity—with results continuing even at age 11.

Your kid may be misdiagnosed with ADHD if they start too early.

All those wiggles in the classroom may have some unintended consequences for kids when it comes to the right age to start kindergarten. A 2018 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that kids who turned five the month before starting kindergarten were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than those who started the month that they turned six. "Our findings suggest the possibility that large numbers of kids are being overdiagnosed and overtreated for ADHD because they happen to be relatively immature compared to their older classmates in the early years of elementary school," said study author Timothy Layton, an assistant professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, in this article for Education Week

An older child will probably have an easier time saying goodbye to you.

Younger kids—especially those who haven’t already attended a preschool program—may have a tougher time saying goodbye in the morning (and we all know how hard it is to leave a tearful tot at drop-off). Giving your child more time to become independent may help her let go when it’s time for the school day to start. with the in-home model of learning most schools will use this year, it may be challenging to start a drop-off situation mid-year should children resume in-class learning. 

Their fine motor skills will be more developed.

Older kids usually have an easier time with fine motor activities (holding a pencil and using scissors, for instance). Being able to do these things can help build confidence and make a kid more excited about their accomplishments at school.

They have more time to be kids; you have more time with them.

Waiting to start formal schooling gives kids more time to be kids, to enjoy a more leisurely day, and to play freely (which, studies have suggested may be more valuable than academics for young children). Delaying kindergarten also gives you one more year with your child. If you're lucky enough to be home with your kiddo, you'll be glad you got that time.

Related: What Redshirting My Son Taught Me about Time

Cons of Delaying Kindergarten

a kindergarten age boy plays with friends building with colorful blocks
iStock

An older child may be taller than their classmates; that matters (especially in middle school). 

You may not be thinking about the teen years yet, but let’s not forget: A child who is the oldest kid in kindergarten will also be the oldest in her middle school grade—and that's no small thing, especially when puberty hits. 

They may be bored (and consequently misbehave).

This study has suggested that kids who delayed kindergarten were twice as likely to drop out of high school. Researchers think this is because they reach adult age sooner, which is when kids are legally allowed to quit school on their own (most state laws require kids to stay in school until at least age 17).

That extra year may be expensive.

If you’re a working parent, delaying kindergarten means another year of paying for childcare or preschool. And, with the average cost of preschool as high as more than $10,000 per year in some states (according to this study from the Economic Policy Institute), it's an expensive wait. 

They may not find peers on their level (initially).

A year can make a big difference when you're only still in your first decade of life. This means that a calm, more introverted six-year-old may have trouble finding like-minded peers in a kindergarten class full of rowdy five-year-olds.

It may not matter in the long run.

Despite conflicting research and strong opinions on both sides, it is still unclear whether "redshirting" makes any difference at all in the long run. Some studies even suggest that, whether your child starts school a year early or a year late, it all levels out by the middle school years.

Related: 16 First Day of School Picture Ideas to Start the Year Off Right

So... Now What?

With all that information,  you're probably still wondering: What is the right age to start kindergarten? The answer: Both. It really depends on the kid.

"Kids should be with developmental age peers as much as possible since kindergarten builds not just academics but social skills, too," said Deanna Lapen, a Los Angeles-based school psychologist and former kindergarten teacher. "With that being said, every child is an individual. Parents should think about why they would consider redshirting."

Lapen said parents should talk with their child's preschool teacher (if applicable) as well as look at the kindergarten curriculum for whatever school your child might attend. Then ask: "Is the upcoming kindergarten class a place where the child will thrive socially and academically?"

If so, don't delay. And, as always—trust your instincts.

The National Center for Education Statistics is showing the biggest decline in math and reading in decades

When schools started to close in 2020, educators and parents feared it would be detrimental to students. Not only would kids lose their connection to peers, but everyone assumed education was bound to suffer for years to come. Now, a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is pinpointing exactly the areas we will need to overcome to get back on track.

This year, the NCES “conducted a special administration of the NAEP long-term trend (LTT) reading and mathematics assessments for age 9 students to examine student achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Average scores for age 9 students in 2022 declined 5 points in reading and 7 points in mathematics compared to 2020. This is the largest average score decline in reading since 1990, and the first ever score decline in mathematics.”

Related: Time-Tested Tips for Reading with Your Kids

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While all students in general experienced decline in reading and math, the report is clear: lower-performing students (10-25th percentile) declined more than higher-performing students (75-90th percentile).

The report shows a different trend when it comes to reading and suburban versus city schools. Compared to 2020, students attending city schools had no change in scores, whereas suburban-attending students experienced a decline.

The assessment also noticed a big change when it comes to math between the two types of schools. “In mathematics, the 13-point score decrease among Black students compared to the 5-point decrease among White students resulted in a widening of the White−Black score gap from 25 points in 2020 to 33 points in 2022.”

“The biggest reason to be concerned is the lower achievement of the lower-achieving kids,” Susanna Loeb, the director of the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, tells the New York Times. When students get behind, they eventually become disengaged in school which can pose a challenge to graduate and go on to college.

Related: 11 Math Games That Equal Tons of Fun

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The most enlightening aspects of the report come near the end, when remote learning was addressed. When asked, 70% of the nine-year-old students identified that they had experienced distance learning during the ’20-’21 school year. The remaining 30% either couldn’t remember or didn’t know––and frankly, we don’t blame them for entirely blocking out that horrendous year.

When it comes to correlating the reason higher performing students fared better than lower performing, you can probably guess why. According to the report, high performing students “had greater access to a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet all the time; a quiet place to work available some of the time; and a teacher available to help them with mathematics or reading schoolwork every day or almost every day compared to lower performers (those below the 25th percentile).”

Students without those key elements were likely already lacking that same support pre-pandemic, and once schools shut down it just exacerbated their needs. Now, it’s time to play catch up.

“Losing one point on the national exam roughly translated to about three weeks of learning. That means a top-performing student who lost three points in math could catch up in as little as nine weeks, while a low-performing student who lost 12 points would need 36 weeks, or almost nine months, to make up ground — and would still be significantly behind more advanced peers,” says the New York Times.

Hopefully, the government’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan, in which 20% of the $122 billion must go to academic catchup, can help bridge the gap to getting all students on the same page.

Fellow parents were texting me in full-blown panic: “How is K doing?!? Is she hating it?!” We had just started remote distance learning and a flurry of texts came flashing over my cell phone. I peered over at my content daughter, happily typing away at her laptop and thought, “This is an introvert’s dream come true!”

Pexels

To understand the introverted child, it's important to understand this: scientists believe that the introverted brain is one that is sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine because it has fewer receptors. In plain talk: too much dopamine through social stimulation, excitement and activity causes the introverted child to feel overwhelmed. This is why introverts prefer calm, quiet activities such as reading, writing or enjoying the company of one or two trusted friends as opposed to the social hubbub of larger gatherings. Introverts are born this way; there's nothing wrong with them—this is how they are wired.

 

Magical Daydream

In a society that encourages outgoing behavior and children to speak up and participate in classrooms, introverts are sometimes mistaken as shy, lacking confidence, weird or even troubled. With guidance, introverted children can flourish and thrive in a gregarious society. Over the years on my parenting journey, I have found a few tips that have been helpful for me, as an extrovert, in raising an introverted child.  Although parenting is never a one-size-fits-all plan or formula, I hope that you might find one or two helpful tidbits below and if you have pearls of wisdom for me, I’d love to hear from you as well! 

Accept and Embrace Your Introverted Child

Little kids crowd around a birthday cake at home while one blows out a candle
iStock

It was the Nth birthday party in which K spent the entire duration at my side, clinging to my leg instead of socializing with her peers. “She’s tired, we’ve had a long week” I offered as a way of explanation yet again. Back at home, K happily played at her train table and with LEGOS. Why do I bother taking her to these parties? Why can’t she be more like Gabriella, the pre-school crowned “Mayor” I wondered? As an extrovert, I was exasperated and wanted K to be more like the other affable, talkative kids and also... well, like me.

I am ashamed to say that I both misunderstood K in her early years and also had a hard time accepting she wasn’t more outgoing. I tried desperately to galvanize her social calendar through arranging playdates and throwing large, lavish birthday parties—my idea of a good time, not hers. My advice to myself back then would be this: it’s ok for your kid to cling to your leg at social gatherings and it's ok to have small, quiet birthday parties or (gasp!) not have one at all. Bigger and louder is rarely (if ever) desirable for the easily overwhelmed introverted child. 

Provide a Safe Space (Both Literally & Figuratively & Respect That Space)

All children need safe spaces to retreat to but introverted children need them even more. While an extrovert may welcome you into their space, most often, the introvert will not. K sometimes spends hours in her room reading and drawing with the door closed and if left to her own devices, would happily stay in her room all day so long as three meals a day appeared outside her door. 

One day, K had her nose stuck in a book and was getting ready to head upstairs for yet another long afternoon on her own. Suddenly, she turned and announced, “Actually, I feel like company right now” and proceeded to flop on the couch next to me. The two of us continued our books in comfortable silence. I have found that giving K room and space to withdraw and recharge gives her the bandwidth to voluntarily and even proactively engage with others. 

Encourage Self-Expression Outlets 

Most introverts will tell you that they love reading; many are prolific but K took it to another level. Having taught herself to read, K was reading chapter books by kindergarten and tackling classics by second grade. Other quiet activities she loves to do alone are drawing, writing stories, origami, crafts and sewing. K also enjoys composing music and delights in any time spent in front of a piano. Again, self-expression is essential for all children but introverted children will gravitate towards ones that are done in solitude. Accept. Embrace. 

Know When to Push

American Camp Association

Fact: Introverts need to be goaded and coaxed into social gatherings and physical activity that require exiting the house. I have spent countless hours mentally preparing K for new (or old!) social situations. Be flexible and choose your battles. Allow extra time for mental prep. Sometimes a compromise might involve leaving early or not going to one gathering but promising to go to the next. You know your child best and know when they need a firm nudge. 

Recently, K joined our church’s youth group. We talked beforehand about what to expect and when we pulled up, she asked to be dropped off instead of being walked in as we previously agreed on. I watched as she exited the car, took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and headed into a courtyard full of strangers...anxious but determined. Our journey continues to this day and we are constantly figuring out ways to help her navigate our increasingly loud world but in that one moment, my sweet, brave girl had never made me prouder.

—Christine Lai

featured photo by Soccer Shots

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You’ve seen them marvel at a simple rock and squeal with delight over a dandelion, so the idea that children have a strong connection to nature is no news to parents. Having a family discussion about the human impact on the environment can be a powerful way for children to take the next step in understanding the importance of protecting Earth—especially when we arm them with solutions. Here’s why caring about the Earth matters for your kids and you.

photo: iStock

Mental & Physical Health Benefits 

One of the most tangible arguments for becoming stewards of Earth is the positive impact that nature has on our mental and physical well-being. Many children do not get enough time outdoors, which can make it challenging to draw the more obvious parallels between a healthy planet and healthy people. Jennifer Walsh, a nature connector for people and businesses, describes this as a “nature-deficit disorder.” 

With distance learning and parents trying to juggle work and life at home during a pandemic, outdoor play can take a backseat, especially if you don’t have a backyard of your own. As Walsh explains, “Unfortunately because of COVID, studies have shown that young children have spent less time outside, and this disconnection, or nature deficit disorder, is showing that children’s white matter in their brains is not developing properly. This causes delays in learning and even the ability to concentrate.”

photo: iStock

Research has been ongoing for years on the positive effects of nature education for children, with terms like forest bathing becoming part of our everyday vernacular. But what does that mean, exactly?

Spending time outside increases mental clarity and eases anxiety—but it’s not just the fresh air. Walsh describes phytoncides, a chemical released by certain trees, especially conifers like pines and cedars, “It’s an invisible aerosol that the trees emit that helps protect them from bacteria. When we are amongst these trees and inhale those aerosols, it releases something within us called our natural killer cells, which in turn help us ward off disease and illness. This has been studied since the early ’80s.” 

photo: iStock

An extensive study conducted by a team of research professionals from the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan found that exposure to the phytoncides over seven days increased anti-cancer proteins in their test subjects and that the increased level of those natural killer cells and proteins lasted for seven days after exposure. That means a walk in the woods has lasting benefits beyond the immediate. 

photo: iStock

That’s great news because even if you live in a more urban environment, a nature walk once a week can have big benefits. Taking the kids for a walk in the woods, a park, or a nature preserve is great exercise and good for everyone’s brains. While you are in a beautiful place, take the time to discuss the importance of such places and why we should protect them. Bring along an extra plastic bag to clean up litter, never leave your trash behind, and take lots of time to observe the animals and plants around you. And, of course, take some deep breaths while you are there.

photo: Tanguy Sauvin via Unsplash 

Consequences of Actions aka The Life Cycle of a Plastic Bag

Children love animals—real ones, stuffed toy ones, storybook characters, cartoon animals. Making the connection that something like a plastic bag can threaten animal health is a powerful way for children to understand the long-term repercussions of human actions.

For example, a plastic bag that ends up in the ocean can be mistaken for a jellyfish by a sea turtle. Sea turtles love to eat jellyfish, and so they eat plastic bags which wreaks havoc on their digestive systems. According to The Turtle Hospital, a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center in the Florida Keys, “Turtles are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat just about anything.” This includes plastic bags, plastic gloves, fishing lines and other errant trash.

photo: Jonathan Chng via Unsplash 

We can all help sea turtles—and other sea life—with simple, everyday action that involves recycling, reducing and reusing. This is as easy as using cloth bags, buying products with less packaging, shopping local, especially from local farms. The big one? Get a reusable water bottle. “A plastic water bottle is used for five minutes and is around for 500 years,” the Turtle Hospital writes. “A recent study found that on average our oceans are littered with 47,000 pieces of plastic per square mile!”

photo: iStock

Be mindful of scaring your children or causing increased anxiety by offering straightforward solutions to the problem that they can be part of: We don’t use plastic bags because they can be eaten by sea turtles; we bring reusable bags to the store; can you be in charge of remembering the bags today?

photo: Skitterphoto via Pexels

The Reality of Cold Hard Cash

While it may not be the most altruistic of reasons to recycle, reduce and reuse, understanding the concept of “waste not, want not” is a pretty quick one for any kid to grasp. If a box of Ziploc bags costs $5, and you rinse and reuse them instead of needing to buy a new box (or better yet, use a more Earth-friendly option like these) you just saved $5. In a month that’s $20, which is a small fortune to a child. 

The Turtle Hospital reminds us that being a responsible consumer is key. “Know where your seafood was obtained and how it was caught.” Because unethical fishing and overharvesting can decimate protected species, not to mention add to the pollution in the ocean, be sure your seafood was caught sustainably. You can check out seafoodwatch.org to learn more.

photo: Christine Lai

Making the connection that how we spend money impacts the environment is a critical stage to understanding why conscious consumerism matters. Factories have to produce more products, causing more by-products and waste; vehicles have to ship these products, which uses fuel and contributes pollution to the environment. These concepts are easy to explain and even easier to put into action when you do simple things like considering the source of your food and packaging.

photo: iStock

Be the Change

Remember, as Reena B. Patel, a well-known parenting expert, positive psychologist, and Licensed Educational Board Certified Behavior Analyst, puts it, “Children are also born with an altruistic approach. This helping behavior seems to be innate because it appears so early and before many parents start teaching children the rules of polite behavior. Young children are concrete learners and model what they see. Clean up toys and cleaning up trash from the ground is a concrete and generalized behavior. To them, it is the same thing. ”

Raising a child that is Earth-friendly, aware of the importance of the natural environment and able to make changes every day with their decisions is one of the most powerful tools parents have today in the face of climate change. But, just like brushing your teeth or trying not to cuss at your neighbors, it’s behavior that we need to model first. So put those cloth bags right by your door, ditch the plastic water bottles, and stop throwing away the old to-go containers you were too lazy to rinse, parents. We know you can do it!

—Amber Guetebier

featured image: iStock

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There’s a kind of amnesia that happens after giving birth—as the weeks pass, somehow the memories of the agony (and the tearing!) become muted, and we look back on it as something we can know was difficult without actually being able to remember how it almost literally ripped us apart.

Many parents are in a similar situation with distance learning right now. They can look back at last year and think “yup, that was hard…” without remembering how it almost literally ripped us apart as well.

Parents in Las Vegas are worried that Zoom-school is just around the corner, and for children in several counties in Georgia it’s already here, prompted by a sudden increase in COVID cases among students.

Are we going to do another semester of Zoom-school? Or maybe even another year (if infection rates remain high for the unvaccinated even after the vaccine is available for children)?

Can we make it through another semester (or year?!) of Zoom-school?

If you’re considering homeschooling instead, it’s really important to know that just because Zoom-school is at home, you’re not actually ‘homeschooling.’ 

Here are the top 5 ways that real homeschooling is more interesting, fun, and way less stressful than Zoom-school:

1. Your child doesn’t have to be on Zoom all day! While it might seem like you need Zoom-school to keep them occupied, if you have to continually bribe (or threaten) your child to do it, this is probably creating a good deal of angst for both you and your child.  When you take Zoom out of the equation you don’t have to coerce them into participating in learning any more, which frees up a lot of time and energy for more fun things…

2. In most locations, you can pretty much do whatever you want for homeschool. New York State has some of the most restrictive rules, requiring you to submit a notice of intent to homeschool, an annual plan for the year, compliance with instructional hours requirements, file quarterly reports with the school district, and test your child each year (or submit a narrative evaluation by a certified teacher).  

Several states (Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, and others) don’t even require that you let the district know you’ll homeschool; other places fall in between.

3. You can support your child’s social and emotional growth. Schools do nominally foster “Social and Emotional Learning” (SEL), but most often this is done with a purpose of making the child more compliant with the teacher’s need for a quiet classroom. At home, you can help them understand what’s happening in their bodies when they feel dysregulated, how they can calm themselves if they want to—and when it’s appropriate to be angry (e.g. when they witness injustice), how to express that.

And schools might seem like they provide a place where children from different backgrounds can mix but in reality, most children self-segregate by factors like age and race. But homeschooled children make connections with people based on shared interests like gardening (which connects my daughter to our retired neighbors as well as the Black and Indigenous managers of the local community garden) to form genuine friendships.

4. You can follow your child’s interests. We all learn most effectively when we follow our interests. I remember the first time I used the internet—I was looking for bus schedules and an hour later I was deep into the history of breadmaking. Links are amazing! 

In school, the curriculum is set by bureaucrats who have no connection to your child’s district, school, or life. Because of this, curriculum-based learning can never be truly responsive to our child’s interests—which is why we have to bribe them using grades, behavior management charts, and the threat of losing recess. Nobody wants to learn things that have no connection to what’s going on in their daily lives.

You can use a curriculum for homeschool but if you do, you’ll bring all the most difficult parts of school into your home, and you’ll lose time and energy for the stuff that’s really fun—like following the links from today’s interest to tomorrow’s fascination.

5. Your child will maintain their intrinsic love of learning. Young children have an intrinsic desire to learn—it’s how they achieve milestones like rolling over, walking, and talking. Research has shown that most children lose this love of learning in the first couple of years of school—instead of asking questions about how the world works, suddenly the only things they want to know are whether they have to do something, and how to do a task the teacher has asked them to do. 

When you aren’t coercing your child into spending hours each day doing something they don’t enjoy, they’re more likely to keep seeing learning as enjoyable. They’ll be driven to keep doing it for the sheer fun of it.

If you think that homeschooling might be right for your family but you’re still not sure (or you just want to hear more about the hard parts and not only the fun parts!), The Confident Homeschooler Short Course was designed for you. It has all the (research-based) information you need to make the right decision about homeschooling for your family, plus bonus interviews with experts (like a math tutor and the person who wrote the book on how to choose a curriculum, in case you do decide you want one) and with families who are homeschooling who want to help you avoid the same mistakes they made.  

And here’s a bonus tip: the decision to homeschool is never forever. You can change your mind and put your child back in school whenever you like if it doesn’t work out!

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Jen Lumanlan fills the gaps in her parenting intuition through research, via a Master’s in Psychology (Child Development) and another in Education.  Her podcast, Your Parenting Mojo, provides rigorous yet accessible information on parenting and child development to help parents tame the overwhelm and raise resilient, thriving children.

After a very long year, families are working to pack in as much vacay time as possible. That’s why we’re all about last-minute road trips to some of Washington’s best summer destinations. Whether you’re looking for a scenic mountain getaway or a place the whole fam can play by the ocean, these trip ideas will keep you and the kids happy. Here’s where to soak up these last few weeks of summer.

Seabrook

courtesy Seabrook

Located on the Washington coast, Seabrook offers an expansive Pacific Ocean shoreline and adventures to match. Start with the newly launched, guided tour service, Pacific Coast Wonders, a brilliant collab between the Quinault Nation, Seabrook's founders and Buck's Northwest. They provide cultural guided experiences surfing the waves of Point Grenville (a true hidden gem) or hiking Elephant Rock. It's a chance for families to learn about Quinault history and the protected places they can now explore. Families can also book guided kayaking, SUP and canoe tours through Buck's Northwest in Seabrook (psst... add a lifestyle photo package to your trip to savor the memories). Beyond booking tours, kids and parents can spend time building sandcastles, flying kites and digging for razors (when they're in season) on the sandy shores of the Pacific.

Stay at: A Seabrook beach cottage. Seabrook’s got pet-friendly cottages, cottages with ocean views, cottages with a touch of farm life; and each one has different perks, like bicycles guests can use, hot tubs for soaking or gas grills for a summer BBQ, that make this an oh-so-easy place to stay with kids. Add in two just-opened spots—the drop-in childcare center, Our Pod by the Sea and Rising Tide Tavern (opened by a Canlis alum)—and you've got the perfect day date when you stay.

The San Juans

Allison Sutcliffe

If you're looking for a little of this and a little of that, you’ll love everything about the San Juan Islands: the ferries, the slower pace and the downright other-worldliness of these eclectic islands. No matter which one you choose for your summer trip, the kids will have fun kayakingglamping and exploring historic parks. Everyone will enjoy boatinglearning about Orca whales, swimming in island lakes and gourmet dining.

Stay at: Choosing where to stay is probably the hardest part of this vacation. When it comes to Friday Harbor resorts, Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes combines resort amenities with a summer camp vibe. The Earthbox Inn is another local fave. A farm stay on Orcas is always a hit with the kids and Pebble Cove Farm has everything you need to keep your kiddos happy. The Rosario Resort & Spa and West Beach Resort are two other Orcas Island hot spots. For Lopez fans, try the Lopez Islander Resort.

Leavenworth

Kristina Moy

Clean mountain air? Check. Spa treatments? Check. Hiking? Check. You’ll love all of the above, give or take the cheese factor of this faux Bavarian village about two hours east of Seattle. After all, Leavenworth is all about family fun. The kids can play a round of Bavarian mini golf, catch a movie or play arcade games at the Icicle Junction Activities Center. Everyone will enjoy nearby hikes, fantastic bike rides, eating bratwurst and visiting the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm (yep, it's open all year long).

Stay atSleeping Lady Mountain Resort with an on-site Aspen Leaf Day Spa, organic farm-to-table restaurant, cozy accommodations and spectacular rock pool.

Port Townsend

Allison Sutcliffe

One of the easiest beach towns for Seattle families to hit is Port Townsend. Less than two hours from the city, with a big chunk of travel time taking place on the ferry, it's a great option for families with tots and babies. Plus, with so much to do, you could spend a few days and not get to everything. We're fans of Fort Worden State Park, where families can play on the beach, explore an on-site marine science center and wander through bunkers filled with history. The expansive yard in the upper parking area is an ideal place to play ball, ride scooters or bikes and fly kites on a windy day. Chetzemoka Park is another outdoor spot to check out, and exploring the downtown shops on Water Street are always a hit. Don't pass up a scoop at Elevated Ice Cream—nothing tastes better on a sunny day. Future aviators will want to stop at the Port Townsend Aero Museum to see planes and get a slice of the best pie ever at the Spruce Goose Cafe nearby.

Stay at: Fort Worden State Park. You'll be steeped in history when you book a house on Officers Row or in the Courtside Collection. Both have ample room for families of all sizes and they come with everything you need for a comfortable stay, so you can pack the car full of games and activities to keep the kids busy on the short trip from the ferry to the park. 

Sequim

Allison Sutcliffe

Just a short drive from Port Townsend is Sequim. Known for its lavender farms and sunny days (it's in the rain shadow), things move a bit slower here. Make the Dungeness Spit the first stop on your travels. Five miles of sandy shores with views that make you think you're in Maui instead of the PNW, it's easy to spend an afternoon on this beach. Also worth a visit is the Olympic Game Farm where enormous elk, friendly alpacas, enthusiastic yak and other animals greet you as you drive through the park. A drive up to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park is another area-must; just remember to head out early in the morning as the park gets crowded as the day goes on. This summer, enjoy Music in the Park concerts on Tuesday nights through August and the Saturday Farmers Market. You can also take advantage of the season's bounty at u-pick berry and lavender farms during the summer months.

Stay at: Although the lavender has been harvested for the year, the Purple Haze Lavender Farm offers families a quiet respite with plenty of space to stretch out and settle in for a few days. Kids will love the chickens out back and the hot tub has parent retreat written on it once the kids are soundly asleep. The Spruce Street Birdhouse Airbnb is right in town as is this classic 1930s home that's available through Airbnb.

Lake Chelan

courtesy Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce

If you're looking for a place where you can get in some serious R&R, you’ll love Lake Chelan and the fact that there’s not much to do here except park your rear and relax. If you must get up, nearby wineries are a fun diversion as well as shopping in downtown historic Chelan. The kids will have fun swimming, building sand castles, playing putt putt, driving go karts at Rally Alley and taking a boat cruise up the lake. And everyone will love splashing around at Slidewaters, Lake Chelan's awesome water park that is also home to the newly opened Lakeside Surf, the world’s largest and the first deep water stationary wave in the US. The 52 ½ foot wide Citywave will allow you and your little surfers to catch six-foot waves on standard ocean boards and fins. Psst! Lakeside Surf is a stand-alone surf park that operates both independently and in connection to Slidewaters and will remain open into the late fall. 

Stay at: The Lookout is a win for families any time of year, but it's especially true in summer when the community's private beach and marina make it easy to enjoy Lake Chelan's biggest draw (the water) without the crowds. Add in the fact that each vacation home comes with comforts you and your kids need and parents can count on packing light for this road trip. Other great stays include: Campbell’s ResortWapato PointMountain View Lodge & Resort or Lake Chelan Shores for a quintessential laid-back family resort experience. 

Cle Elum

courtesy Suncadia Resort

Super easy to get to (assuming there isn't any major construction on Snoqualmie Pass), the city of Cle Elum offers lots of outdoor family fun including hikingbikinghorseback riding and water activities on Lake Cle Elum where you can rent boats, jet skis and more. The city of Rosyln (remember the TV show Northern Exposure?) is a great place to explore with kids and to grab a meal at The World Famous Brick SalonRoslyn Cafe or Roslyn Village Pizza.

Stay atSuncadia Resort for a posh yet casual, kid-friendly experience. Families visiting Suncadia can enjoy biking, hiking, river floating, axe throwing and horseback riding in addition to the resort's other fab amenities. This summer, Wellness in the Wilderness keeps families connected to each other and the great outdoors; Family Nature Walks, Kids Yoga or a Rise & Shine Morning Meditation are just a few of the special programs. The Sunday Market (10 a.m.-2 p.m., through September 12) at The Nelson Farm is where you'll find the coolest local vendors selling produce and products too good to pass up. Add in nightly campfire s'mores and Suncadia's fabulous pool (with two indoor water slides, an indoor pool and a ginormous outdoor pool) and you've got the kid-perks needed to keep your crew happy and busy. Check Suncadia’s website for special end-of-summer packages.

Hood Canal

Alderbrook Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for a road trip with options (like ferries vs. bridges), Hood Canal is the place to go. Located between the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas, this fantastic family destination will take you less than two hours to get to (if you don’t encounter road and ferry traffic), with some fun stops along the way. Fantastic state parks where you can kayak and SUP, like Twanoh and Potlatch, keep kids busy on the water. And the Hamma Hamma Oyster Salon and Hook & Fork at Union City Market offer amazing seafood eats. Or stick to land-loving activities like hiking at nearby Olympic National Park or Theler Wetlands (a great stopping point if you drive over). Trade high-rise buildings and busy freeways for sea-creature-filled tide flats and beautiful beaches. Your kiddos will think they’re in a whole new world in Hood Canal. 

Stay at: Alderbrook Resort & Spa. Tucked away towards the south end of the Hood Canal, Alderbrook is a true family-friendly showstopper. Kids of all ages will think the hiking trails are awesome and will love dining on the patio, roasting s'mores by the campfire, beach combing and playing lawn games near the cottages. Everyone will love the indoor pool with restaurant service, daily resort activities, plus kayaks, boats, SUP boards, paddle boats and more at the marina.  

Semiahmoo & Birch Bay

Semiahmoo Resort

Craving a beach experience without the high surf? Consider a trip up North the Birch Bay area. If a less than two hour car ride doesn't draw you in, the fantastic Birch Bay Waterslides water park will have your kids begging to go. Trade swim trunks for shorts when you head to Station 49, Birch Bay's family entertainment center, offering mini golf, train rides, go karting and more. And although families can't take a ferry ride on the beloved historic Plover (it's still out of commission due to COVID), they can visit the Saturday market in downtown Blaine all summer long. A trip to the Peace Arch Park at the Canadian border is something else to put on your summer list.

Stay atSemiahmoo Resort for a low-key family trip. You can park your car at the resort and never have a reason to leave for the rest of your stay. The hotel, reminiscent of a New England seaside resort, has an outdoor swimming pool and sprawling beachside lawns for volleyball, croquet, horseshoes and running around. The hotel also offers evening bonfires with s’mores fixings, complimentary movies for families in their theater, kids craft kits, kayak rentals on-site and more. The only thing you have to pack, besides your clothes? Bikes and scooters. The resort is at the end of a long spit where kids can bike safely till they tire out. Another option on Semiahmoo spit is to rent a condo at the adjacent Beach Walker Villas and purchase passes to use the hotel's pool and gym. 

Lake Quinault

Allison Sutcliffe

After a year of distance learning and digital nomad adventures, families need to unplug. There's no better spot to get away from it all than Lake Quinault. Tucked into the Olympic National Forest, families will find easy wooded trails to hike, looming giants, hidden waterfalls and a lake just waiting for your water adventures. Bring your kayaks, canoes, SUPs and fishing poles to take advantage of the tranquil waters or rent them locally. Plus, nearby adventures like Kalaloch and Ruby Beach mean you can spend time at the Pacific too. 

Stay at: Lake Quinault Lodge. Your kids will be charmed by this restored 1920s historic lodge that has a welcoming Sasquatch and oversized fireplace in the lobby, where you can play board games late into the evening after eating at the Roosevelt Dining Room. The indoor pool gets kids out of the heat and the lack of cell reception means everyone gets to focus on what counts most—spending time together. If your road trip includes an RV, consider parking it at the Rain Forest Resort Village.

Olympia

Ingrid Barrentine/Experience Olympia & Beyond

Trade your Seattle city life for life in the capital when you visit Olympia and the surrounding areas in the summer. It's such an easy trip, especially with toddlers and babies on board, because the drive time is minimal, and there are oh-so-many places to stop along the way. In addition to visiting the always-popular Hands On Children's Museum, families can stroll the boardwalk at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, rent kayaks at Tugboat Annies and visit the brightly blooming sunflower fields at Schilter Family Farm. A trip to the farmer's market is a must and even toddlers will enjoy the easy hike at Tumwater Falls, just south of the city. If you travel after Labor Day, you'll likely spy some salmon making their way upstream.

Stay at: If a cozy vacation rental is on your list, try this modern Craftsman that's walking distance to the farmer's market and other downtown amenities. This vintage home in the Eastside neighborhood has a game room in the basement that'll keep your kids busy for hours when you stay.

—Allison Sutcliffe, Kristina Moy, Allison Ellis & Katie Kavulla

Feature image: iStock

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Photo: Juicy Juice via JuicyJuice.com

Whether you’re prepared, scared, or maybe in denial, there’s no denying that the new school year is here. Although that may look different for families all over the country, with some opting into in-person learning, staying remote, a combination of both, or maybe even still unsure, we’re all in this together. I don’t need to tell you this school year will be unlike any other, you already know that. Instead, I’m using my years of experience as both a mom and a primary educator to provide some simple tips to help balance a new routine and tackle the new year feeling confident and empowered to make this the best year yet for your little learners. If nothing else, just remember you got this.  

1.  Use all the resources available to you. As a kindergarten teacher and mom of two littles, I’m always looking for ways to take some tasks off of my plate. We started to use grocery drop off/pick up services to save a little time. Also, everyone in the family is taking on more of an active role. We’ve also leaned on our family and friends in ways that we have not in the past. This can be difficult for so many parents that feel like we have to do it all….use your village! 

2. Give your children more control during a time when they might feel out of control. I love the word “yes.” When my children ask to do something, wear something, or play something…if it’s in my power to say “yes,” then I do! I want them to feel like they have some control when the world seems to be changing daily. For me, that means letting them select their own clothes or even giving them a little more control in their daily schedule. My children also learned how to pack their own lunches during quarantine so they can keep this up whether they are at home for distance learning or back in the classroom. We decided to put their lunch items, snacks, and juice boxes in places that are accessible for their tiny hands.

3. Support your kids by supporting their teachers. This is near to me since I hold space as a veteran teacher and concerned parent. I understand what it means to deal with distance learning at home or send my child into a school that I’m not allowed to step foot into. It’s tough stuff! On the other hand, I know what it is to be the teacher under pressure—especially during this unprecedented time. When it comes to your children’s’ teachers: assume the best intentions, be understanding. This is new for everyone. Be flexible and remember—the whole world is going through this. We are winning with each passing day!

4. Take care of yourself. Self-care is critical. Self-care is proactive. Self-care is so much deeper than a relaxing bubble bath. For me personally, self-care is even cleaning the bathtub after the relaxing bubble bath because I know that a dirty space might be a trigger for stress later. In a world that is ever connected, it’s also easy to compare yourself to others. Don’t! This is one of the fast ways to trigger stress and anxiety—and for me, that is the opposite of self-care. We are all on our own journey. Remember social media is a highlight reel and if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.

Amber Kemp-Gerstel
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Amber Kemp-Gerstel is the host of Disney Family Sundays on Disney+ and founder of Damask Love, a creative blog all about DIY. Amber received her Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from Vanderbilt University and practiced as a pediatric psychologist for many years before shifting careers to pursue her passion for creativity.