Photo source: Stuart Miles

My daughter had a holiday party at school before Christmas break and I couldn’t believe what I saw in her classroom.  Sick kids. Several of them.  Coughing, red-faced, snotty nosed 5 and 6 year olds.  I was beside myself.   Why had these kids parents sent their kids to school sick.  One girl was coughing so much she had to go to the nurse while I was there and several more kids had garbage cans right next to them to throw their snotty tissues in because they were blowing their noses so much.  My daughter had just gotten over a cold and I kept her home for 3 out of 5 days the week prior because I (a) wanted her to recover and (b) didn’t want her to get anyone else sick.  Why don’t all parents have the same consideration?  I guess there can be extenuating circumstances such as not having anyone to care for the child while the parent is at work but still, kids need to stay healthy and not pass these nasty bugs/viruses around so please keep your child home if they are not feeling well.

I understand that when a child is sick, it is sometimes tempting to send them to school anyway.  With many parents working either outside the home or from home,  household chores and other tasks are often accomplished while children are at school.   There are times, however, that a child is considered too sick to attend school, I believe.  There are a number of reasons, both for the child and the other students, why a sick child should stay home.

Here are four reasons why a child not feeling well should stay home from school:

• Cough - Excessive coughing would not necessarily include the symptoms caused by asthma. Although asthma with excessive symptoms should be checked by a doctor.
• Fever - A child with low grade fever should be kept home from school as well. Fevers are transmittable whether they are low or high.
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

A few more things to consider before sending a sick child to school:

The child may be contagious.
By sending a child to school if he or she has a cough, fever, or has had diarrhea or has vomited in the last 24 hours, the risk of other children catching the same illness whether it’s a cold, flu, or other illness, is substantially higher than keeping the child home.

Something that Bothers the Daylights out of me! When is a Child too Sick to go to School? is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

I had big plans for today, the kid’s first day back at school. I have a newsletter to write, an events calendar to update, a massive spreadsheet to fill out, a dr. appointment to make, I need to exercise, take a shower, I have meals to plan, travel decisions to make, the library to call about a reserved book, schools to call about my kid’s lunch money payments, a house to clean, laundry to do, and I need to get my oil changed. I’m not sure why but I REALLY thought I could pull all of the things off today while the kids were in school. What was I thinking?

It’s almost 11am now, the kids have been in school for 4 and 2 hours and, I have answered a few emails, cleaned part of the kitchen, put a dent in the spreadsheet project, taken a few phone calls, and am currently staring at the computer in a daze of confusion wondering what do I do now?

I’m exhausted from lack of sleep for the past few days and my husband is rubbing my huge to-do list in my face by singing Bruno Mars’ Lazy Song (you know the one…”Today I Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything”).. he doesn’t have to do anything!
But.. I am so grateful that my daughter who started kindergarten and my son who started sixth grade (middle school) got onto their buses without a hitch and with big smiles on their faces.  That makes me feel great.

I think I’ll spend a few minutes making a list of what I absolutely need to get done today and let the rest go until tomorrow.  I’ll also enjoy the photograph above, of my daughter and neighbor’s daughter with their cute smiles before getting on the bus.  The morning couldn’t have gone more smoothly.

The Kids Started School Today, I’m Alone in an Almost Quiet House and I Can’t Get Motivated! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

LIVE! with Regis and Kelly are expecting Anderson Cooper to stop by (filling in for Regis.. didn’t Kelly just say she would marry Anderson Cooper if given the chance, a few days ago? Hmm..) this Friday morning. Anderson is covering the current flux in education funding and wants us to help him get advice, secrets, tips to families that need it most!! In anticipation of his arrival we need all you thrifty Mom’s, Dad’s Grandmas and Grandpas to put your heads together for Elementary School children across America!
What are some of the ways you maintain your budget and still send your little ones fully equippedfor school!? What are some training strategies, and lessons you’ve instilled about respect, honesty and safety?

With having a 10 year old son, I have 5 years of elementary school supply buying skills and tips under my belt and I am well aware that the changing economy and rising jobless rates are impacting every part of parents lives from simple grocery buying to health care and one necessity parents of upcoming Kindergartner’s have to think about is school supplies.  School supplies do not only include paper, pencils, crayons, and folders, but parents also have to consider travel expenses, field trip fee’s, clothes, shoes, backpacks, and yes, hair cuts.  All of these add up and all of these are necessary to help your child enjoy and appreciate their education.

What to consider when shopping for your Kindergartner’s school supplies and getting him ready for his first year of elementary school:

• Buy notebook paper, crayons, and pencils in bulk when you are able to.
• Character school supplies, clothing, and backpacks are more expensive than solid color clothing and backpacks and can cause conflict between students (you know.. some kids don’t like Batman while others love him!).
• Talk to your child about why it’s important both socially and environmentally, for him to ride on the bus.
• Ask your child who he would most like to carpool with so you can schedule carpool days with other parents to save on gas money.

Here are a few tips that I follow when getting my elementary age son ready for a new school year each year:

• Buy one pack of paper, one pack of pencils, one notebook, and/or one pack of crayons, every week or two during summer vacation. Doing this will ensure that parents who are on a budget aren’t slammed with one big school supply bill right before the new school year begins.
• I buy folders, pencils, erasers, and paper in bulk whenever I can.
• Local consignment sales are often held just before school starts are a great place for buying lightly used backpack, school clothes, and shoes.
• Remind your child how important it is for him to keep his hands clean while at school because not washing hands is a huge factor in spreading illnesses at school and when kids get sick, parents have to spend MONEY to go to the doctor!  Let’s teach our kids to was their hands so our individual health care costs go down!

Store Freebies and Coupons for school supplies

• Live in a neighborhood with lots of kids? Chances are kids moving up to middle school have left over school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, and other things they didn’t use last year and can’t use in middle school that they would be happy to hand down to your child.
• Check drug stores and office supply stores for penny sales and free-after-rebate items in July.
• The Internet is a moms best friend! Visit coupon websites to find coupons for big brands like Bic, Post-It, and more.
• Almost everyone knows someone who works in an office.. ask your friends who work in an office if they can give your child some paper, notebooks, pens, markers, and highlighters.

Local Church and Government Resources that may provide free and inexpensive school supplies

• Ask your child’s school system if they have programs that give kids free school supplies.
• Parents can contact their local United Way and Salvation Army to find out if they offer free school supplies.
• Many churches collect school supply donations during the year and disperse them to families that need them before the next school year begins.
• Check with your county school system to learn about their free lunch options for qualifying students.

IT’S YOUR TURN TO SHARE YOUR TIPS!

Share your back-to-school shopping and budget tips with us and with Anderson Cooper.

via Twitter:
@Regis_and_Kelly
@AndersonCooper
@mommyinsider

Share your thrifty back-to-school shopping tips with The Mommy Insider and the world, in the comments below.

Anderson Cooper on Regis & Kelly this Friday – He wants your school supply buying and budgeting tips! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

I love food storage items.  I have a cabinet packed with all types of food storage products and one of my favorites is Easy Lunchboxes’ combo lunch and snack containers (AKA food storage containers).  Easy Lunchboxes’ Compartmentalized BPA-Free Plastic Food Storage Containers are colorful, convenient, and BPA-free. 

My 3 year old takes lunch Wednesdays and Fridays and these combined with her Citizenpip lunch bag make packing her lunch a breeze and easy for her to carry.  I usually put hummus in one compartment, carrots or crackers in another, and fruit and cheese in the 3rd compartment.  EasyLunchBoxes.com sells a lunch box cooler which is great for day trips and for older kids who take their lunch to school but my 3 year old has to fit her lunch box in her school bag and the Easy Lunchboxes’ lunch cooler is too big to fit in her bag.

Easy Lunch Boxes’ features:

• dishwasher safe
• microwave safe
• refrigerator and freezer safe
• secure snap-on lids
• 4 bottoms with 3 compartments each
• 4 lids – each a different color
• very sturdy.. these are more sturdy than typical food storage containers
• BPA-free

GIVEAWAY!

• EasyLunchboxes.com is giving one lucky reader a set of containers and a lunch bag!
• To enter, tell me what your child’s favorite school lunch is in the comments below.
• Entries accepted through February 20th.

EasyLunchbox Food containers and Carrying Bags is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Jeep Consumer Products continues to create a tough, durable and innovative consumer products that translates the “Have Fun Out There” attitude. From cool new bikes and RC vehicles to even fashionable footwear, juvenile products, pet products and even camping equipment, Jeep has something for every adventurist.

This Jeep backpack is ideal for outdoor adventures as well as for kids to use for school. Nylon lining, PVC backing and a rugged rubber handle grip makes this a sturdy, durable backpack that can withstand everyday wear and tear including that from a 10 year old like my son. He tosses his backpacks, and leaves them in compromising places where it is likely to be trampled by my 3 year old.

Jeep offers several backpacks all of which have good if not lots of storage space including two front pockets, two side pockets, pocket organizers and a convenient laptop sleeve. Adjustable padded shoulder straps provide comfortable support. Jeep backpacks are available in blue/gray or red/black and range in price depending on style.

Jeep backpacks can be bought at Amazon.com and local retailers like Target.

Jeep Messenger Bags

The Jeep® Messenger Bag features plenty of space for toting around books. A supportive adjustable shoulder strap makes it comfortable and convenient to carry and features one front and two side pockets. Designed with durable 1680D material and a 150D Nylon lining, the Jeep® Messenger Bag will withstand the toughest of adventures.
This is a great makeshift diaper bag for dads and would be a wonderful gift for an expecting dad!
Available in blue/black and red/black. ARP: $34.99

Browse All Things Jeep for their entire product selection including kids clothes, accessories, car gear, and more.

Holiday Gift Ideas from Jeep – Jeep Backpacks and Messenger Bags is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Madelyn started preschool this year and I was a bit of a wreck on the first Wednesday she attended because that is the day the kids stay an hour later so they can eat lunch at school. A few thoughts that raced in my mind where: what would she think about eating with other kids, they are like aliens to her, what would I pack for her to eat, and what on earth would I pack her lunch in? My first thought was to put some carrots and crackers in a couple of small ziplocks and put them inside a big ziplock and send her on her way. It’s been a long time since I sent a child to preschool.. about 8 years.

I was thrilled for Madelyn when I got the Citizenpip Soup to Nuts kit! I can’t imagine having a more perfect lunch kit for her to take to school. She is able to open the bag and the containers herself so she doesn’t have to ask the teachers for help.

THE SOUP TO NUTS KIT INCLUDES:

* • 1 insulated lunch bag with nametag and carabiner that easily attaches to a backpack
* • 1 stainless steel water bottle
* • 1 stainless steel insulated food jar – too big to take to school but perfect for when we’re in the car traveling.
* • 4 BPA-free airtight food containers – Madelyn is able to open and close the containers.. important to her teachers don’t want to kick her out of school!
* • 1 stainless steel fork + spoon set
* • 5 100% cotton napkins – Madelyn LOVES the napkins. She uses them at school and home.

The Soup to Nuts Kit gives you lots of options for packing lunch. With four BPA-free airtight food containers, including one that perfectly fits a sandwich, and an insulated double-wall stainless steel food jar that keeps food hot or cold, it gives you maximum flexibility! PB&J one day and mac n’ cheese the next day? No problem! You can pack pretty much anything your kids want to eat for lunch. Added perks, no squished sandwiches, 1 napkin for each day of the week, and a water bottle that does double-duty as an ice pack. Included is a stainless steel fork and spoon set for spaghetti twirling and soup slurping.

Citizenpip is muck-free: no lead, BPA, PVC, or phthalates.

Where can I buy it? Citizinpip
How much is it? $55
GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win a $42 Citizinpip Square Meal Kit (choice of 3 styles) –
3 ways to enter to win!
1. Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite Square Meal Kit style is.
2. Tell me a funny lunchtime story staring your child.
3. Tweet about this giveaway. Be sure to include your Twitter user name in your comment so we can check! Easy huh?
Giveaway entries accepted until 11:59pm October 16th.
Coupon code: mommyinsider10 to get 10% off your purchase of $40 or more!

Citizenpip Soup to Nuts kit + a giveaway! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!