Activate A Smile

10 Ways To Make Someone Smile

1. Say it with flowers: Everyone loves to be thought of and remembered. Sending flowers is a great way to show someone you care. I find that one or two hand picked flowers are just the right thing to brighten someone's day! Don't fret, big bouquets are nice too!

2. Babysit: do you know a mom that could use the day off or maybe even just an hour or two to herself. Plan a fun day for you and your favorite kiddos. It will not only make the Mother smile because you gave her the priceless gift of hard to find 'me time', but it could also strength your relationship with the children, which is sure to give you smiling faces all around!

3. Snail mail: This is one of my personal favorites. Sending someone a handwritten letter is sure to bring about smiles and maybe even a letter in return. So, go ahead take out your pen and paper.

4. Flattery: Give a sincere compliment. Tell a perfect stranger you like her shoes or her hair style. Admire your neighbor's gardening skills, tell a friend they look beautiful today. A little flattery is sure to make someone's day!

5. Pay Attention: Focus on a friend, listen carefully to what they have to say. Make an effort to not talk about yourself. Make your friend really feel heard. Quality time and really listening are priceless gifts to give.

6. Say please and thank you....Manners are not a lost art, and they bring about smiles when used.

7. Let someone know they are missed. Reconnect with a family member or an old friend. It will do you both good and perhaps leave you both smiling!

8. Over Tip: Make a waiters day by leaving a little extra than the normal wages for a tip, even if the service was just average. You're sure to make their day with a little extra cash and maybe even the next customer will enjoy a waiter with a smile.

9. A Smile is truly your best accessory, and it is proven to be contagious!

10. Say I love you!!! They may already know. You may have told them before, maybe even today, but say it again! It's important!!!

More Than A Matter of Style

About 20% of public schools have made the jump to some sort of school uniform, standardized attire or strict dress code. The debate has been somewhat of a hot subject for several years now. The debate on whether the uniform system has a direct impact on improving student behavior, or whether it actually does create a better environment for students and teachers is still on going. Both sides of this debate have some valid points.

Starting with the pros of the uniform system. Some parents simply enjoy the guess work being removed from the pre-school shopping and even the their morning routines. A percentage of parents just agree that is makes their household run smoother in the morning rush. This seems to be particularly true in households with older children. The experts for the Pro side of the debate believe that uniforms within the school system help children to focus more on learning and less on who is wearing what. School standardized attire may also relieve the pressure students feel trying to fit in. Thus improving the social environment in the school atmosphere. School officials also say that uniform systems improve safety. For example students all dressed in similar clothing helps school officials and teachers recognize if someone comes on campus who doesn't belong. Experts also believe mandatory use of such a dress code reduces violence/bullying with the school.

Now lets move over to the other side of the debate, the cons. One of the largest arguments on the con side is self expression and individuality. Since self expression is an important part of a child's developmental process, some experts believe that forcing uniforms is detrimental to a child's development. The results of this system are often forcing students to find other, often less appropriate ways to express themselves. Experts also conclude the stripping children of individuality with the use of uniforms is another way to force all students into one mold, when they should be celebrating and embracing individuality. They believe that school uniforms does not truly prepare children for the real world in which they will continue to be judged by their appearances and the choices they make within their own lives.

Experts on the Con side also argue over the fact that they believe that the Pros are not really Pros. Advocates of school uniforms say that freeing a student of fashion pressures will allow them to focus on school studies, but there is little conclusive evidence to back up this argument. The experts on the con side of the debate argue that there are more influential factors than what a student wears like study habits, parental support, classroom material, and instructional quality. Cost of school uniform systems is actually argued on both sides. Pro side saying it saves families money since the school attire is sold at discounted prices and is much cheaper than fashionable name brand clothing. While the Con side says it cost families more because most families will buy two sets of clothing for their children one being the school attire and the other a more fashionable set of clothing that suit their children's personalities for nonschool hours.


It is true that both sides of this debate have great valid points with expert opinions. To which side of the school uniform debate do you and your family tend to lean?



Special note: This article was also published in the Cookevilletimes.com

Back to School!

Well parents, it's that time of year again. Let the homework battles and the PTO meetings begin. It's actually hard for me to imagine that summer break is coming to an end. This year I am sending my two oldest children off to school. I am both sad and excited to see what adventures lay ahead for my Kindergartner and 3rd grader this school year. Returning to school after summer break can be a bit demanding on the whole family as they bend themselves back into the school routine schedules. I thought I would share a few tips to help ease the transition and help devise a back to the school plan for your family.

#1 - Start talking with your children now about the general school rules. You know the ones: respecting your classmates and teachers, keep your hands to yourself, turn on your listening ears, and keep up with your own belongings. This will help lay out a foundation and help your children realize what is expected of them. This might also be a good time pick back up the school year bedtime routine, so it's not a shock to their little systems.

#2 - As soon as you know who your child's teacher is, get acquainted. Familiarize yourself with the teacher's classroom rules as well as their expectations for this year. Let the teacher know you are willing to help out. Even if you can't volunteer, most teachers will find a way for you to help out. It is also not a bad idea to send your child's teacher a little note at the beginning of the year including all your contact information, even your email address. Sure this information is on file, but you will be saving the teacher some time, opening the door to good communication, and also be letting them know you take an interest in your child's education.

#3 - At home, designate a quit place to do homework. Have all homework supplies close at hand and ready to use. Also discuss with your child what homework time looks like. Also, designate a place for backpacks for each child.

#4 - Freeze a few easy dinners. This will free up more time to allow you to be more hands on with homework and after school activities. It will also relieve some of that tension and free up time for the whole household. I have found that lasagnas freeze nicely!

#5 - Make a family calendar. This will just help the family keep up with activities, meetings, days off, and special school events. This will ensure that the whole family is aware and prepared.

It will not be long until we are sending our sweet little children off to fill their little heads with knowledge. I hope you enjoy the last of these days of summer vacation. Soak up these long warm days, and good luck preparing for the months ahead. May this year's summer to school transition be successful.

Sunday Snippet

This week's Sunday Snippet...Pictures of my three boys enjoying some summertime moments! They are the greatest gifts I have ever received. I just love their sweet little faces!!! They are such a huge part of my happiness!



"With each spring comes new life, energy and green growth. In summer comes the sun, warm, kind and enduring. Fall brings its canvas of color in careful, gentle change. Winter brews into faithful strength, beauty in pure white. And then comes you. You are all that Nature offers, a blessing, a gift.. You are the fifth season."
— Jason F. Wright