Field Trip Survival Tips

This week I had the fun opportunity to chaperone my second field trip with wild child's PreK class to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. I had such a wonderful experience! In fact, we all did, parents, teachers and kids alike. So I wanted to share with you some tips on making a field trip with 21 four and five year olds a success!

1. Pay Attention to the Plan! Before you ever leave the school, know the plan. If you are driving your own car, make sure you have cell phone numbers of the teacher, and at least one other parent in case you get separated from the group. Make sure you have any directions and listen to any specific instructions given by the teacher. Make sure you clarify the plan to handle accidents and emergencies. Ask about any allergies!

2. Learn Names! This is a struggle for me! I am horrible with remembering names but you need to make a point to introduce yourself to other parents and the kids. Make sure you commit to memory the name of your "buddy" or child assigned to you. Write it down if you have to! Keep count of your kids at all time. If you are assigned a group, take role as well. A head count doesn't ensure the ones you counted are supposed to be with you!

3. Follow the Rules! Make sure you follow the rules set forth by the teacher and the facility. Enforce those with the children if you have to. You can usually head off any issues if you are paying attention to what the kids are doing. Stay alert and notify the teacher if there are any major issues or concerns.

4. Keep Up! Be sure to stay with the group. Make sure you review any specific times you need to check in with the teacher if you get to go off and explore on your own. Set a reminder in your cell phone just in case you get carried away in the excitement! You wouldn't want someone to have to come find you!

5. Offer to Help! Let the teacher know that you are willing to help with any extra tasks like passing out lunches, washing hands and bathroom breaks. The trip can be fun for everyone involved and the teacher should be able to enjoy it too! It's no fun when you feel like you have to do everything yourself!

Following these tips, and having a good attitude will help ensure everyone has a safe and fun trip! And make sure you are invited back for the next field trip!

Have you been on any field trips yet with your kiddos? I would love for you to add your own tips and share your experiences!

Here are a few pictures of the fun we had!

Stay Fabulous,

Fun at the Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club

Recently Riley and I were invited to attend an event at the Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club as a part of the Open the Door, Take the Tour campaign for National Boys and Girls Club Week. They invited Metro Atlanta area bloggers to tour the facilities, learn more about the organization, and interact with the kids. We had such a fun time meeting new friends, and getting a better look at the amazing impact the Boys and Girls Club has on the lives of children in local communities.

I was interested in attending the event to see what types of programs and services they offer. I was happy to learn that they focus on the entire well-being of children. They focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and charachter and leadership development. Their mission is "To save and change the lives of children and teens, especially those who need us most, by providing a safe, positive, and engaging environment and programs that prepare and inspire them to achieve Great Futures." I think they go above and beyond this mission. It was evident from the moment we arrived and in all areas of their programs.

My favorite part of the visit was getting to visit each different section of the facility. In the game

room we played pool on a kids height pool table, and I got to share with Riley how to line up a great shot. I was so impressed with the different types of equipment available for the kids. They also have an exercise bike for kids to use. I love that the Boys and Girls Club desires to impact childhood obesity and recognizing the importance of teaching children about a healthy lifestyle. They have a program called Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul, a holistic approach to educating youth about nutrition, fitness and forming healthy relationships.

In the homework room, we got to do some worksheets and interact with the staff leader as she helped the kids figure out the answers for themselves. Surprisingly Riley enjoyed the numbers worksheet! But her favorite was the arts and crafts room (mine too!). She immediately sat down and went to work on the craft that the other kids were creating. The adults got to interact with the volunteer leader, a retired school teacher with a huge passion for helping kids find their inner creative self. They support all types of creative expression, from painting the ceiling tiles to putting on their own theatre production! They are creating the next generation of artists.

The Metro Atlanta Boys and Girls Clubs are partnering with 25 artists to create the "75 Blue Doors" to create 75 individual art displays. Each piece of art is inspired by kids and teens at the Club who are focused on achieving Great Futures. They will be placed around Atlanta in high traffic areas such as Turner Field, the Fox Theatre, the Atlanta History Center, and Hartsfield/Jackson Airport just to name a few. You can check out the full list of locations at www.75bluedoors.org. The doors will remain on display from April 1stthrough April 30th.
You can also vote for your favorite door here!


We had a wonderful time spending the afternoon with the Boys and Girls Club and throughly enjoyed our tour. It made my heart smile to know that this organization gives kids a safe place to come and thrive after school and during the summers. I encourage you to take a tour of your local Boys and Girls Club by finding the one closest to you at www.bgcma.org. Can't find time to stop by? Take a virtual tour here. Would like to do more to help this wonderful organization? They need donations, volunteers, and corporate sponsors. Find out how you can get involved here!


Stay Fabulous,

"I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I attended an information session and received a gift bag and promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Manic Monday: Part Five

Have you missed me?  I have been off to a super busy start to the year!  Lots of changes to my daily routine and latelty blogging fell lower on the priority list.  After adjusting to the new schedule and added responsibilities, I feel like I am back on track.  I want to bring the Manic Monday series to a close by adding one last tip. 

So far we have explored several areas that included simple changes to your day that make a big impact.  I opened the series with getting dressed compelely where I encouraged you to get up and dressed before your kid(s) wake up. A minor change with major impact. In part two I encouraged you to start your day the night before by laying out clothes for the family. A huge time saver in the morning!  I shared my easy approach to meal planning and followed that up with how to stay on top of laundry.  For the last installment I want to share how I keep my day to day running smoothly.  I would not have been able to survive these last few months without it.  My Calendar. 

An essential part for any type A personality.  I have used some type of planner/organizer/calendar since I was in the sixth grade.  I really had my stuff together then and had all of my classes color coded and arranged everything according to importance.  These days it doesn't happen in color but it all gets done!

The biggest part of a calendar is of course using it.  My #1 rule for keeping a calendar, is pencil.  I avoid writing in pen at all costs.  That makes me nervous.  As much as I like planning every little detail of my day, I am well acquainted with how things can change.  Not so much your schedule, but others.  Here is a sample month at a glance view:

 

I keep a paper copy and a digital copy, two digital copies actually.  I take a few minutes out of each day to sync them up.  Usually at night before I head to bed.  I like to review everything for the following day and week.  My old school paper calendar has a month at a glance page and large spaces for the individual days of the week.  For my digital versions I use my iphone calendar and Cozi. 

Cozi is an amazing resource.  I use it mainly to share my calendar with others.  This is great for school events and games that everyone needs to know about.  Each member of the family has their own log in and it's color coordinated.  The best part about it is, It's FREE!  Check it out!

I hope you have learned a trick or two to help you through those crazy Mondays.  I know when I have all of these things working in my favor, life seems a lot less complicated. 

Have any of these tips helped you?  What have you changed?  Were some easier than others?

I would love to hear from you.  Please leave me a comment below.

Stay Fabulous,

 

PSMB Post: "It's Okay" but Is It Really?

Today I am sharing at Peach State Moms Blog about moms unintentionally interfering with other people's parenting.  Are you as guilty as I am?  Does this drive you crazy too?  Check it out!  I bet you've done it too!

Ever run in to this on the playground?  Click on over and check it out!

Stay Fabulous,

Manic Monday: Part 4

 

Hey everyone, welcome to another installment of Manic Monday.  Where I give practical tips in small stages to help you take back control of your Monday's, or any day for that matter. 

 

So far I have covered getting dressed compelely where I encouraged you to get up and dressed before your kid(s) wake up.  A minor change with major impact.  In part two I encouraged you to start your day the night before by laying out clothes for the family.  A huge time saver in the morning!  Last week we talked about my easy approach to meal planning. 

 

Today I'd like to talk about your dirty laundry.  Not that kind!  The kind that seems to multiply at night and never be done.  Getting laundry done in my busy schedule has always been a struggle.  I remember back in college when I didn't have a family to care for and it was still a hassle!  I realized it wasn't doing the laundry that I was struggling with, it was my attitude about doing the laundry that was the issue. 

 

When I realized it had to be done no matter what, things improved.  I never had a problem with the washing, it has always been the folding/hanging and putting away part.  It seems to be that way for most people.  And I don't know what is so daunting about it!  However, I did realize one thing that seems to help and that's what I wanted to share today. 

 

Do a load every day, no matter what!

 

As a family of three, we generate at least one small load of clothes a day.  For a family of  5 you might have to do two loads a day.  I usually save all the whites for the end of the week and wash all of  them then.  But I wash everything else together every day. 

 

Here's the profound thing,  it's really easy to put them away when there is only one small load.  And not just shove them on the couch or toss them on the bed when the dryer beeps. When I don't stick to this, that's when things seem to get out of control.

 

Feel like laundry is running your life?  I challenge you to spend the rest of this week doing at least one load of laundry a day.  You can do it!

 

Stay Fabulous,