Back-to-School Survival Guide for Parents: Bedtime, Mornings, Homework and Lunches Made Easier

A good chapter book before bed is the ultimate parenting secret weapon: it calms them down, makes bedtime cozier, and (bonus) counts as “educational enrichment” even if you’re in pajamas and reading with one eye open. Here are some great back-to-school-friendly picks for every age: For Younger Elementary (ages 5–8) ·      - The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt – Witty, colorful, and the perfect warm-up to longer chapter books. ·     -  Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein – Whimsical poems that make bedtime feel like a little comedy show. ·      - The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale – Princess by day, monster-fighting hero by night. ·      - A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon – A funny, colorful story about a girl who won’t admit she likes lima beans and ends up with a serious case of stripes. ·      - The Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne – Classic, gentle stories about friendship and fun in the Hundred Acre Wood   For Middle Elementary (ages 7–10) ·      - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo – A china rabbit’s unexpected journey teaches him (and us) about love, loss, and finding your way home. ·      - Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – The classic tale of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a clever spider named Charlotte.     - The Witches by Roald Dahl – A thrilling, darkly funny tale about a boy who discovers witches are real…and not nearly as friendly as they seem ·      - The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney – Life in the classroom, told from the class hamster’s very chatty perspecti   For Older Elementary / Tweens (ages 9–12)   ·      The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick – Part novel, part cinematic sketchbook, this mystery about an orphan in a Paris train station is as gorgeous as it is gripping. ·      The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart – Clever puzzles, quirky characters, and an epic adventure for gifted misfits. ·      Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – Spirited, charming Anne navigates school, friendships, and small-town life with unstoppable optimism.   Bonus Parent Tip: Let your kids pick from this list so they feel like bedtime reading is their idea. Before you know it, “just one more chapter” will be your nightly soundtrack and you’ll secretly love it.

Let’s be honest: between endless snack requests, school pickups, and trying to remember where you left your coffee (again), encouraging your kid to read might not always make the top of the to-do list. But here's the thing, literacy is kind of a big deal. Like, lifelong-brainpower-and-possibly-an-imaginary-dragon-best-friend level of big deal. Studies show that kids who read regularly tend to do better in school, have stronger vocabularies, and are more likely to grow up into curious, empathetic humans. Unfortunately, only 1 in 3 kids in the U.S. reads for fun every day. But the good news? You can help flip that stat right from your front yard. You don’t even need to buy fancy supplies to do it. Enter: the Free Little Library. A magical book-sharing box. A mini literary treasure chest. A beacon of community charm. And yes, you can build one from that weird old nightstand in your garage. Step-by-Step: Building a Free Little Library (Without Buying a Bunch of Stuff) Step 1: Gather or Repurpose Materials You don’t need to hit the hardware store unless you really want to. Some fun, funky DIY options: Old cabinets/nightstands Vintage TVs or computer monitors (hello, retro charm!) Mailboxes, birdhouses, or kitchen cupboards Dresser drawers or chair frames (get whimsical!) Bikes with baskets (great for light kid books) Step 2: Gather some tools and hardware: Here’s a basic list of supplies to help you assemble your library:  ·       Wood (plywood or pallet wood works great) ·       Screws/nails ·       Hinges for the door ·       A clear plastic/acrylic window ·       Exterior paint or wood sealant ·       Roofing material (shingles, metal, or upcycled materials) ·       A post or stand (if you don’t want it mounted on a fence or wall) ·       Basic tools: saw, screwdriver or drill, hammer, measuring tape Step 2: Weatherproof It Make sure your creation survives rain, wind, and squirrels. Reinforce it, seal it, add a clear door, and mount it securely. Step 3: Paint & Personalize Make it joyful. Bright paint, favorite quotes, kid art—whatever makes it yours. Give it a name. ("The Book Nook"? "Readasaurus Rex"? Go wild.) Step 4: Stock It with Goodies Fill with: Books for all ages (kids, YA, adult, nonfiction, poetry) Fun extras: bookmarks, seasonal reads, kindness notes, tiny toys Optional: seed packets, art, zines, a mini notebook for reviews ❤️ Why Free Little Libraries Matter Only 34% of U.S. kids read for fun daily—and that number’s dropping. The average 8–12-year-old spends over 5 hours a day on screens But reading builds empathy, focus, imagination, and stronger brains. A Free Little Library gives kids (and grownups!) a low-pressure, no-library-card-needed way to discover new stories. It sparks curiosity, builds community, and—let's be real—makes your yard way cooler.   Awesome Literacy + Library Resources Looking to register your library, find a storytime near you, or boost your child’s reading game? These links have your back: ·   Find or Register a Free Little LibrarySearch for local Free Little Libraries or add your own to the map. ·   Reading Rockets – Tips for Parents & EducatorsExpert-backed advice to help kids learn to read and love it. ·  Storytimes Near You (Library Events Nationwide)Search virtual and in-person storytimes by location or topic. ·   Start With a Book – Free Reading Activities by AgeBook-themed resources, activity ideas, and printables to keep the learning going. Final Thought: Build a Library, Grow a Reader Your Free Little Library doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs heart (and some books). Whether it’s perched on a fence post, shaped like a spaceship, or built from a broken dresser drawer, it’s a beacon of joy and learning. So roll up your sleeves, grab that forgotten nightstand, and give your neighborhood a reason to stop, smile, and read.  Happy hammering, and happy reading!   — Siobhan Braun Tagged: books, Free little library, Literacy, Reading

Want to bond with your kids and maybe grow something other than screen time? Try gardening. It’s messy, slow, and wildly unpredictable—just like parenting! But, watching your child pull a carrot they grew from actual dirt somehow feels like a tiny miracle, even if it’s a weirdly shaped carrot. Here’s how to start a flower and vegetable garden with your kids without needing a glass of wine afterward. (Okay, maybe just one.) 1. Choose Plants That Don’t Judge You The goal here is survival. You want plants that and won’t wither if you or your 5-year-old forgets to water them for three days straight. For the veggie garden: Cherry tomatoes (basically weeds, in the best way) Carrots (fun to yank out of the ground) Lettuce (grows fast, dies fast, drama queen) Radishes (a root vegetable that literally grows in like a week) Sugar snap peas (climby, snacky, adorable) For the flower garden: Sunflowers (giant and impossible to ignore) Marigolds (basically bulletproof) Zinnias (they thrive on neglect) Nasturtiums (bonus: you can eat them if all else fails) Calendula (like marigolds, but with an ego) 2. Let the Kids Choose—Just Not All the Things Give them a few seed packets to choose from. But don’t let them go rogue unless you’re cool with growing ornamental gourds and mystery pumpkins on your balcony. Steer the chaos with gentle guidance.    3. Embrace Containers, Raised Beds, and the Art of Lazy Gardening Unless you have acres of land and the patience of a monk, stick with containers or raised beds. They’re easier to manage, less prone to becoming a weed jungle, and way more kid-accessible. Bonus: you don’t have to bend over constantly like you’re in a Jane Austen novel. Pro tip: repurpose old pots, buckets, or literally anything that holds dirt and drains water. Ugly? Maybe. Functional? Absolutely.   4. Turn It Into a Sensory Circus Let them touch the dirt. Smell the basil. Freak out over a worm. Gardening is a sensory experience, and kids love the chaos of nature. It’s good for them!  Add wind chimes, plant labels they decorate themselves, and maybe a weird garden gnome or a fairy house for maximum whimsy.   5. Watering: A Teachable Moment in Not Flooding  Teach them how to water gently, then let them go to town. You may lose a few seedlings in the process, but you’ll gain valuable life lessons about moderation. (Eventually. Maybe.) Make it part of a routine: water in the morning or after school.   6. Celebrate the Wins (Even the Ugly Veggies) When something finally blooms or sprouts, act like they won the Nobel Prize. Take pictures. Make a salad. Eat a sugar snap pea like it’s gourmet. Kids love praise, and honestly, we all deserve a little celebration after keeping a plant alive longer than a houseplant in our college dorm rooms.   Final Thought: It’s Not About the Garden, It’s About the Dirt Under Their Nails You’re not just growing vegetables and flowers, you’re growing patience, confidence, and possibly a lifelong love of the great outdoors. It’s easy to throw on another episode of Bluey, but  getting your kids outside and excited about nature and accomplishing small garden victories is so rewarding! Gardening with kids is messy, ridiculous, and magical. Embrace the chaos, take the pictures, and enjoy the fact that for once, they’re excited about something that doesn’t require charging. Note: I am going to add links to a few products we carry- overalls , wellies, garden print rompers from Ettie and H and also a few links to outside products like a gardening kit or organic seeds to drive SEO. SEO Keyword Tags: gardening with kids how to plant a vegetable garden with kids easy flower garden for kids beginner gardening for families fun garden ideas for children