The first word that comes to mind when August arrives is school. This was reinforced when I walked into the store and saw the brightly colored bins of school supplies already lining the aisles.  7 Ways to Prep for Back...
Am I choosing my son’s future path with this ONE choice? Redshirting for kindergarten. This question has been jumbled around in my brain since October. Trying to decide if we will redshirt my son for kindergarten. How do moms handle...
If you have a kid who was born in the summer, you know how difficult it is to decide on when to send them to kindergarten. We have a few moms who have weighed in on the benefits of...
If you are like me, you are racing out the door to school and remember it is show and tell day. Quick! Grab something. I have learned to set a reminder in my phone to avoid moments like these.  If...
In my 40th year and as a mother of three, I applied to grad school. It was unexpectedly terrifying. Our children are growing, as children do, and though I was convinced we’d have nursing, diapered babies for the rest of...
There are two things I learned about my kids during the first phase of the pandemic (when they were out of school for months). First, they are incredibly creative, and second, I am a terrible home school teacher for...
Traditionally when people talk about concussions and sports, they immediately think of football. But other sports such as cheerleading, boys, and girls' soccer, and hockey also pose a moderate risk. Kids can also get a concussion just from crashing their...
I remember taking my bright son, who loved to build with all things Legos, to preschool.  Every day, when we got to school, he would have to find a little hand with his name on it and put it...
One of my favorite ways to connect with children, open up conversations, and learn new things together is through reading. When I struggle to find words to explain something, I often turn to books. While my kids love superhero...
Football games and Friday nights are right around the corner for many incoming freshmen as they begin their high school journey. When you are in a blended family and navigating step-parenting during school things are a little more complicated. Thinking...

In + Around Des Moines