Kindergarten is here for the Papandrea family — and there’s so much going on this month already! Meetings, pictures, daily homework, school events — I can hardly wait until next summer (did I just say that?). Actually, it’s just that I’m still in summer mode, something that my school mom friends say will never happen again. That’s because, Summer ‘09 was our last school break without summer homework assignments. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, there is a lot more expected of grade schoolers these days, and apparently, that goes for summer vacation homework, too!

My friends with older kids are still recovering from the back-to-school procrastination-induced rush to help their kids finish those summer reading lists, projects, journals, and reports. In fact, they admit, it’s not just the children who put off their summer work — it was them, too! After all, they felt after a tough school year, they needed a break from homework patrol. And who could blame them?

I’m not saying kids should do nothing all summer. But I’m totally for being a little less regimented. The New York Times featured an interesting debate on this topic recently called “The Crush of Summer Homework,”

The pile of books and other vacation assignments appears to grow every year. Is all this homework beneficial or should children be given a break?

The piece goes on to feature opinions straight from top educators. Quite an interesting range of comments to say the least, from they need time to relax, to put them in school year-round. I fall somewhere in the middle.

For starters, I think summer reading is a great time to explore new books, but I don’t necessarily think those books should be assigned. The whole idea is to get children excited about reading, not to force them to read something they are not interested in. As a former English major, I do think certain books should be read by everyone, but exploring literature should be done with some guidance and accompanied by the type of discussion that could only take place during the school year.

I also think it’s unreasonable to expect the same volume of work to be completed over the summer as during the academic year. I don’t like to go on vacation and bring work with me, so why should my kids have to? But some schools assign in such a way that if you don’t work consistently all summer, you’ll fall behind and have to play catch-up in late August.

I can also remember being stressed out to get my book reports done, only to walk into school and have the teacher not even ask about or collect the summer assignments. How annoying is that? I was duped! Perhaps that’s when my anti-summer work sentiments first surfaced… Hmm…

On that note, I think it’s time to say goodbye to summer mode, and focus on helping my son make this kindergarten year a success.That is, as soon as I hear what you think about this topic!

Parents, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy September!

-Dawn Papandrea

When it comes to table manners, I am a die-hard supporter and I have some firm opinions on the matter. Manners are a must in my house, and I love the way it’s influencing my kids to be good guests in other homes, restaurants and settings. Are they perfect? Definitely not, but who is? But they also aren’t the kids yelling, screaming and making a scene anywhere. They just know better.

I am certain that my devotion to manners comes from how I was  raised. As a child, I knew the rules and, for the most part, followed them without thinking. Understanding the concept of manners has come in handy in my adult life. On the first day of my first semester at Barnard College, I dined with the president of the college. To be eating with someone so important to my education was nerve-wracking, to say the least. But I knew how to act in that scenario, so there was no added self-consciousness about how I was behaving … only that I would make a good impression.

Right now, someone, somewhere is saying, “Oh please, does this really matter? Who cares if you know the right fork to use?!?” It does matter. When it comes to important dinners and lunches, having good manners mean that how you sit and eat blends into the background and it’s your conversation that gets noticed. On the otherhand, if you have bad manners, that can overshadow anything you say at all. Talk about a bad impression … and really, would you rather be remembered for your excellent commentary on the state of health care reform or unseemly noises you made while you chewed your steak?

So parents, I encourage you. No matter how you were raised, it’s time to raise the bar on manners in your home so that your kids can go out in the world confident and certain in any eating situation. They will be better off for it.

My Top 5 Table Manner Rules

1. Wait for everyone to be served before eating.

2. Do not leave the table unless you’ve been excused or politely excused yourself.

3. No talking with your mouth full.

4. Do not touch your food with your fingers (unless it’s a finger food like corn on the cob)

5. Pause between bites — meals are not a race

Hey blogging mamas!

Real Mom’s Guide, a joint venture between SheKnows and Mott’s, is looking for the best blog post. Enter yours today for the chance to win. The prize? A new BlackBerry Pearl Flip. Nice…..

According to RMG:

Enter to win
Real moms – enter to win our Real Moms Guide Best Blog Contest today. Deadline for contest is September 30th. Enter your best blog post – one original post from your own blog - with the subject line “Best Blog Contest.”

Click here to read more or to enter.

The first time I took my oldest two children, Jacob and Isaac, out on a trip by myself, I was totally intimidated and overwhelmed. How on earth would I hold a baby and keep my then-two-year-old from bolting into traffic? What if I had to go to the bathroom? What if we had a poop blowout or other emergency? And how would I get them both around in a crowd?

Obviously, we lived to adventure another day. In fact, we did more than survive, since I’m now pretty unafraid to hit crowds with my larger-than-average family–even on those occasions that my husband’s not with me. It’s funny to me that I feel so much more comfortable now hitting the zoo or park or shopping center with five kids than I did years ago when I just had two, but experience has taught me that even a thoroughly outnumbered mom can keep things under control if she has the right tools. Here’s a look at a few different methods of getting around with your kids:

Strollers

My favorite single stroller for easy maneuvering through busy crowds–even one-handed–is our MacLaren Volo.  I had serious reservations about spending that much on an umbrella stroller, but we’ve gotten so much use out of it and it makes our outings so much easier that it’s been totally worth it.

If you have small kids close in age, double strollers can be appealing, but choose carefully: get one that’s too long and you’ll never make it around corners; one that’s too wide and you’ll hog up the whole sidewalk and won’t be able to make it through narrow doorways. Some doubles that have caught my eye recently include the Graco Quattro Duo (still pretty heavy, but shorter than a traditional tandem double and it can be steered with one hand), the Phil & Ted double jogger (pricy, I know, but just look at how sleek and compact that thing is—swoon!) and the Joovy Ultralight Caboose, which offers older kids an easy up-and-down perch to ride on when they get tired, but weighs in at just 21 lbs and isn’t much larger than a regular single stroller. And Joovy even makes a Caboose stroller with room for three.

Slings, front packs and backpacks

I’m a big fan of babywearing. Putting almost-six-month-old Clara in a sling or pack keeps my hands free to hang on tight to Owen and William (three and five)  in traffic-heavy or crowded areas.

We love our Ergo carrier—it’s so comfortable I almost don’t feel like I’m carrying a baby at all. Other great options include the Mod Mum (simple pouch sling for older babies who want to be up and down a lot), the Maya Wrap ring sling—comfy, customizable fit, great for longer wearing and smaller babies; and the Moby Wrap, which is basically a long piece of fabric you can wear a bunch of different (and very comfy) ways. For long hikes, especially in non-stroller-friendly terrain, a frame backpack can be a lifesaver. We’ve had our REI frame carrier for ten years and it’s still going strong.

Mix it up

When you’re on a long outing it can be really helpful to give yourself several options for carting kids around. Sometimes we bring a sling and umbrella stroller and let Owen ride when he’s tired. When he’s walking and I want a break, I can pop Clara into the stroller.

No matter how great the stroller or sling, shoulders and arms get tired, babies get bored of seeing the world from the same vantage point, and mixing it up keeps everyone in better spirits. Be creative. Our stroller is often used to cart snacks or a diaper bag while the kids are walking or being carried.

What are your favorite tools for getting your family around when you’re out and about? Share in the comments below!

I can remember walking back and forth to school with the world’s heaviest backpack everyday. Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you that it was uphill in the snow. But nevertheless, starting in about the second grade, I carried textbooks, workbooks, notebooks, a Trapperkeeper (remember those?), and other supplies on my little hunched over back. Our generation wasn’t concerned with “backpack safety” or “ergonomic” bookbags, and this is why the massage therapy industry is thriving today, thanks to our bad backs.

For our kids, though, backpack safety is all the rage, which is why every back-to-school season has news agencies reporting smart bookbag shopping tips and proper backpack carrying techniques. If you aren’t familiar with them, no worries — I did the homework for you and scoured for some of the best tips (ones that go beyond the obvious). Here goes…

First, the scary stat: In 2006, there were more than 7,300 backpack-related injuries in emergency rooms in the U.S., according to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Pretty heavy stuff!

Now the tips:

I, for one, remember feeling very uncool if I wore my backpack on both shoulders, so I’d sling it over just one. Bad move!  Always have your child wear both straps, and select a bag that has extra padding for the shoulders. For what it’s worth, my right backpack-carrying shoulder plagues me to this day when I’m tense… coincidence?

Does your child walk home from school? If so, choose a backpack with reflectors on it so they are more visible to buses and cars.

Load the heaviest items closest to the student’s back to help distribute weight evenly. Good physics-related tip that makes sense, plus the more delicate items like their must-have Mott’s juice boxes won’t get crushed.

Now here’s some math for you: The 15% rule. A backpack should weigh less than 15 percent of a child’s body weight. So if your child is 50 pounds, the backpack should weigh no more than 7 pounds. Natually, you won’t be pulling out the scale every morning, but if your child has to carry an unreasonable amount of books everyday, speak with the teacher about a possible solution. Perhaps there are books that can stay in school or remain at home.

Look for extra compartments and side and front pockets to stow away pointy objects (rulers and compasses, for starters). But let your child know now to leave anything valuable in a pouch that can be opened behind their backs. When I was in grad school (and should have known better), someone stole my digital voice recorder by simply unzipping my bag while I looked the other way.

And, of course, my number one tip: Let your child choose a backpack that’s affordable for you, but also cool for them. After all, they’ll be hauling it all year, and it may feel less heavy with Spiderman or Hannah Montana on it.

So, moms, what is your child’s backpack of choice this year?

I don’t know about your kids, but mine love food. And if it’s food with a surprise, then it’s even better in their eyes. That’s why they really enjoy when I stuff their burgers with cheese. As for my husband and I, we love how the melty cheese permiates the burger with flavor and oozes out when you bite into it. Divine.

And better yet? They are easy to make. You can use whatever cheese you prefer. We’ve made them with cheddar and blue cheese and liked both (although the blue cheese is our collective favorite). I am sure these would work equally well with gouda, swiss or gorgonzola. But I wouldn’t choose a hard cheese, since they tend not to melt. And fresh mozzarella, while tasty, might be a little too watery.

So, how do you make a stuffed burger?

Step 1: Season the meat

Using one pound of ground beef, combine it with salt and pepper in a bowl. Knead it together with your hands until the meat is well mixed.

Step 2: Divide the meat

Using a kitchen scale (or estimate, if you don’t have one), divide the meat mixture into four equal portions. Roll them into balls.

Step 3: Flatten the meat and add the cheese

Using one ball at a time, flatten the meat out to an even 1/4 inch thickness. Place a 1/2 ounce slice of cheese of your choice in the center of the flattened meat.

Step 4: Fold the meat around the cheese

Fold the sides of the meat up and around the cheese, as if you are wrapping a package.

Step 5: Seal the edges

Gently knead the hamburger into a round patty shape, taking care to ensure that the edges of the patty fuse together. Then, use your thumb to indent the center slightly (this will stop the burger from becoming misshapen while cooking.

Step 6: Cook to desired doneness

In case you’ve been living under a proverbial rock, the Duggar Family — that God-revering Arkansas family with 18 kids — is now expecting baby #19. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have chosen against family planning and against birth control, instead opting to let nature take its course. Literally.

The newest Duggar sibling is due to be born in March 2010.

Over at Real Mom’s Guide, Stephanie Precourt has this to say:

Oh I am itching to ask her when she thinks she’ll know when she’s done having children. There doesn’t seem to be any pausing between her pregnancies.

And, be sure to check out my article at SheKnows that offers advice for this supersized family on their new family dynamic (their first grandchild is due to be born next month and will be about six months older than her aunt or uncle).

My kids and I are out and about a lot, whether on road trips, day trips, or just trips to the beach. Since there are five of them and only one of me and–especially during the summer–we’re often all out together, I often get questions from people who want to know just how we manage to get out the door in the first place, let alone actually make it through a trip without falling apart.

I won’t lie–sometimes it does all fall apart, and I wind up abandoning that day at the zoo for something easier, like an afternoon in the backyard, where it doesn’t matter if one of the kids can’t find his shoes…or his pants.

But most of the time we make it work. How? I have a few strategies that keep us on the move with relatively little fuss.

Be prepared…but not too prepared. When you’re packing a bag for five kids, efficiency matters a lot. Sure, the baby needs diapers, and we’ll probably need snacks and drinks if we’re going to be away from home for a while. But I don’t necessarily need a change of clothes for each child, ten water bottles (heavy!), a bag full of toys, and a full meal complete with protein, starch and vegetable unless we’ll be gone a really long time.

My kids long ago learned the fine art of entertaining themselves with a stick or their fingers because there’s no room in that bag for their Matchbox car collection. When they’re old enough to care about bringing a toy with them, they’re old enough to carry that toy themselves…and they usually make sure it’s something that can fit in a pocket.When it comes to snacks, I think small, portable, and minimal clean-up required, like a piece of fruit or Mott’s no-sugar-added applesauce cup. The less there is to unpack when we get home, the more fun our adventures are for everyone involved…Mom included.

Be proactive. We learned the hard way (”Where are your shoes? What do you mean, you don’t know?!”) that certain house rules make being a family on the go a lot easier. First of all, shoes are always to come off by the front door–no exceptions. It’s easier on the carpet and easier on my sanity, since they don’t mysteriously get lost. Same thing goes for hoodies and coats and mittens and hats. Each has its own special place by the front door and we all take the time to put those things were they go when we arrive home. And since I’ve got a forgetful streak of my own, I found a place by the front door for my keys and purse, too.

Get ready in stages. First, I gather everyone by the front door. Then, I have everyone put on their shoes. Next, (in the winter) it’s coats and hats. Once kids are totally ready, they’re to sit on the sofa and wait for everyone, and we all walk out the door when we’re ready. This keeps the ‘getting out the door’ part from feeling too chaotic and ensures that kids don’t wander off and get absorbed in some project right when I’m trying to get them to jump into getting ready.

Walk whenever possible. Sure it takes longer to walk than to drive, but the absolute worst part about taking a bunch of kids out is getting them all strapped into their car seats, double-checking to make sure nobody is standing behind the minivan before I back out (I’m paranoid like that), finding a parking place, trying to keep some of them from bolting into the parking lot while I’m getting the rest out of their seats, trying to transfer sleeping kids from car seats to strollers…I’m stressed out just thinking about it! Walking isn’t only good for you and a great way to get in some bonding time–it also makes outings a whole lot more hassle-free.

What are your secrets for taking the stress out of family adventures? Share in the comments below!

As I’ve mentioned, in my day job I write about all things college. As a parent, with my oldest being five, I try not to think about college, other than trying to save a few bucks for it here and there. My feeling is that we need to get through kindergarten first.

Yet I hear other parents at preschool playdates talking about their sons and daughters best shots for getting a college scholarship. Some discuss doing what it takes early on to ensure they’ll be ready for the SATs. Yeah, you know, those SATs that they’ll take years from now in high school. Give me a break! Actually, we should give the children a break.

For our generation, the SAT was a huge deal (did you spend hours with flashcards?), and a big factor in college admissions. That’s still the case, but really, only about 1 in 5 colleges use the SAT as a “threshold for admission,” according to a recent survey by The Princeton Review. And many colleges don’t even require SAT scores anymore.

Because of what I know from working in the college industry, I hope it will let me lighten up a bit with my kids. There’s so much more expected of our children already, that I don’t want to contribute to grade school academic pressure that has to do with getting into a good college. In fact, the best college is the one that’s right for your child, not the one that’s ranked the highest.

Study after study indicates that all of this academic pressure at the elementary school level is not healthy, and leads kids to cheating (or worse) to keep up. Do I want my boys to aim high and do well? Of course! But not at the expense of them enjoying school.

When you put things in perspective, grade school should be about making friends, developing a love of learning, and swapping chocolate milk and apple juice across the lunch table. Everything else will fall into place.

-Dawn Papandrea