7 outstanding high school or college graduation gift books: On stepping into the arena, dreaming with eyes wide open, and professional troublemaking (in the best possible way)

by Jeannine Harvey | Books for Kids, Books for Adults, Gift Guides, Gifts for Grads

I’ve always been a fan of graduation gift books. When my daughter graduated from high school five years ago, the headmaster gifted each graduating senior a book with a personal message inside —  Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan...

10 super cute summer backpacks that help you say buh-bye to a long winter

by Liz Gumbinner | Fashion

Oh hi, it’s me, your handbag-obsessed friend in NYC, now looking for cute backpacks for summer. As I virtually window shop my way across the internet I’m seeing lots of cute, colorful backpacks that are on trend for 2021 and my “add to cart”...

What we can do to support our teens through a school year like no other. | Spawned ep 216

by Cool Mom Team | Spawned Podcast

After reading author and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour’s NY Times article, The 2020 Back to School List for Teens’ Emotional Well-Being we just knew we had to talk to her about it. Her premise: kids need some emotional “supplies” that have...

20 fun, educational board games that totally count as homeschool time: Math, science, geography and more

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

If you don’t think of family board games as an educational opportunity to supplement your kids’ learning, well put away the Cards Against Humanity (ha) and check out these suggestions! To be clear, as a homeschooling mom, I’m a big fan of actual...

This brilliant mask self-portrait art project is one every teacher needs to assign before school starts.

by Kate Etue | DIY

This back to school season will be different from any we’ve seen, because no one knows what the heck fall will look like regarding COVID. Let alone next week. What we do know however, is that kids will be (and should be!) wearing masks in public, whether...

Should you think about homeschooling this fall due to COVID-19? Spawned Episode 209

by Cool Mom Team | Spawned Podcast

Over the last couple of weeks, many schools have been releasing their plans for fall, and not surprisingly, it’s all the parents in our social media feed are talking about. We recently featured a post about things to consider if you’re thinking about...

8 things to think about if you’re considering homeschool because of COVID-19 this fall, from a homeschool mom

by Kate Etue | Tips + Tricks

With school districts all over the country releasing their preliminary plans for school this fall, I’m hearing so many parents trying to determine whether or not their kids are going back full-time. The requirement between states and districts varies greatly,...

5 deschooling tips for new homeschooling parents, and how it will keep you from feeling like a total failure.

by Christina Refford | Tips + Tricks

I know a lot of parents have jumped right into homeschooling their kids (or, schooling-from-home might be more accurate) so that they won’t get too far behind in their studies. But with news that Virginia has canceled school for the rest of the academic year due...

Creating a homeschool schedule: 8 different ideas to help you figure out what will work best for you.

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks

Hi! Total homeschooling newbie here, and now here I am, trying to create a homeschool schedule — or some semblance of one — to help keep us sane. Um, it’s not easy. For background, I am the parent who thought I could wing it with newborn nap...

10 simple writing exercises for kids that don’t even feel like schoolwork

by Kristen Chase | Tips + Tricks

As we all scramble to grapple with the new normal of our kids home from school, I’m thankful for the teachers in my life who have been doing this job for years. I can always count on them for great ideas, like these 10 writing exercises, from a friend and former...