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• Back-To-School Can Trigger Asthma Attacks in Kids

  I figured this was going to have something to do with chalk dust and that smell that I swear every elementary school I've ever been in has, but no. Actually, the main reason why tons of asthmatic schoolkids show up in emergency rooms after school starts in September is ... colds. Yep, the common cold. From, you know, being around all those other germy kids. Read More... Posted Sep 01 2007, 08:33 AM by Karen Murphy with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: kids, health, Canada, asthma, back-to-school, inhalers, asthma attacks

• Back-to-School Parties Are Really For Parents, Right?

  Back before I was a mother (ohhh, the Saturdays of having breakfast at 1 pm) and I was all judgy about mothers (wha-? me? I know, shocking) who complained about their kids being home all summer long, I thought they were crazy for wishing the academic year to arrive already and that they should just be grateful to be privileged to spend the best part of the year at home with the young ones.  Of course, this is the kind of naivete I reflect upon with lots of laughter and big old black Sharpie to X off another day until co-op finally starts again (31 days if you're keeping score at home). Read More... Posted Aug 11 2007, 09:03 AM by Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) with | with no comments Filed under: parties, DIY, summer activities, back-to-school

• Reduce, Reuse, Rewear: Back-to-School Thrifting

  I am a lifelong, die hard thrift store shopper.  I started in middle school with my grandma, and by high school I knew all the best places within a 30-mile radius to find ball gowns for $3 or $4 (I'd cut them off at the knee and wear them with black tights and a rainbow assortment of Doc Marten's.  Hot.)  I still thrift almost every weekend, and have picked up some great household items (pillows, frames, art, dishes), as well stylish and well-maintained clothes for myself and my girls. Not only is thrifting a great way to shop green (by reducing consumption, reusing used goods, and re-wearing that which can be re-worn), it's a great way to ensure that your kids will not be wearing the same Gap jeans or Old Navy sweats as every other kid in their class. Read More... Posted Aug 07 2007, 10:10 AM by Alisyn with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: shopping, clothes, thrift store finds, thrifty parenting, thrifty fun, back-to-school

• A Tax-Free but not Stress-Free Holiday

  Kids need a lot of crap for school. To cushion the blow of the back-to-school bill, several states are holding Sales Tax Holidays where consumers will not have to pay taxes on school supplies, clothing, and computers. I am notoriously cheap. We buy a lot of stuff at yard sales and consignment shops. That said, I won't be participating in our state's Sales Tax Holiday. It's just not worth the trouble. I know the stores will be having super sales that weekend. I know I'll be able to save $7 for every $100 I spend. But I also know that everyone and his mother will be jamming the stores that weekend. And that's not my idea of fun. If I needed a computer, I'd brave the madness. I might sneak away to Target one night and buy a box or two of diapers, but you'll find me hiding in my house for the rest of the weekend. But hey, if this sounds like a good time, more power to you. You're braver than I am. If you'd like to find out more about your state's Tax Free Holiday, check out the list at Raising4Boys.com. Posted Jul 18 2007, 03:00 PM by ChagHolland with | with no comments Filed under: sales tax, back-to-school