4 Cool Crafty Reads for Parents by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 600 words We have heard it from their teachers and reading experts, but it can be tough to put into practice. To help our kids become better readers, it’s important to model reading at home. If we set an example and allow our kids to catch us reading—even if it’s just a recipe...
The glory of your almost-teen. by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 590 words If you are a parent of a tween, you may be watching your child bid goodbye to a good measure of childhood wonder and innocence every day. You may even be feeling some grief about that. The adolescent and tween years can feel like unfamiliar territory for kids and adults alike. You...
12 Good Reasons to Let Us Eat Cake by M. Ranard 370 words It’s the little things, as they say. Those assorted small victories—triumphs even—that only fellow moms can truly appreciate and equate with baked goods. I’ve come up with a list of personal favorites that are decidedly one-off, and sure, a bit twisted but always keepin’ it real. And if you can...
Simple suggestions to increase productivity and reduce nagging! by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 750 words If you live with a tween or teen, it’s likely you have a procrastinator under the roof and an equally likely chance you are now an expert at nagging. Does this sound like you? “You can’t wait until the night before the math test to cram!” “If you don’t...
A brief getaway exfoliates parental stress and restores clarity. by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 700/830 words I’m a little stunned I’m writing a spa piece. Until a few days ago I was a spa virgin. True. Not a single heavenly massage or visit to steam room nirvana. What kept this hard working mom away? A skeptical perspective spas were heavier on indulgence than wellness....
8 Tips to help your child without a workbook or tutor! by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 800 words As a professional tutor, I meet with many distressed parents who aren’t sure where to turn when they learn their child is a struggling reader. While they are motivated to confront the issue, they rarely recognize their own role and ability to be instrumental to their...
6 Ways to Minimize Your Child’s Risk for Eating Disorders M. Ranard, M.Ed. 730 words Seated on the floor with legs stretched out before her, my perfectly proportioned and petite eight year old niece recently gazed at her bare legs and sighed, “My thighs are fat!” My friend Eileen’s son is thirteen with washboard abs from swimming but asks his mother far too...
Stay sane through the process. by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 795 words When it comes to college applications, I know firsthand how “getting in” can feel like a cruel test of mental and emotional stamina. How much editing help should parents give for the essay? Which extracurriculars appeal most to admissions officers? Which school provides the best fit? Feeling Stressed and Alone Probably the...
Help them develop a healthier mindset to thrive during challenges by M. Ranard, M.Ed. 835 words A few years back, my first-grader stepped off the school bus in tears. The words he squeaked out between sobs cut me to the soul. He said, “My teacher hates my reading ‘cause I’m stupid.” It was the start of the school year, and he had been...
