CPRMom

School is starting this week for my children, 3 kids at 2 different schools and only 1 still at home. September will be an interesting month as we adjust to the new routines. We've had a crazy, lazy, day-tripping, long list of things-not-done kinda summer. On the last list was my desire to keep up to date with the blog. But we made some fun summer memories and I'll post about some of our interesting road trips around the Seacoast soon. Today's post is a really belated back to school list. When we think of back to school we think of school supplies and school clothes. Sports gear and hopefully sports physicals. Last summer I posted a really good safety back to school checklist. I'm not going repost it, but here is a brief list of some back to school safety tips: If your child uses an inhaler or epi pen - do you have one to give to the school nurse that won't expire in the next few months? Make sure you have one that has a VALID expiration date to carry ...

Many of us celebrate July 4th the same way ... BBQ's with family, watching the fireworks and going to parades. Depending upon your plans, a little planning ahead can keep it safe for everyone. If you're using the BBQ make sure little kids and pets don't run around the grill. Headed to a parade or ceremony? Take a picture of everyone in a group on your digital camera or phone when you first arrive. If anyone, especially a child, gets separated from the group you will have a picture to share and will remember what they were wearing. Choose a spot to watch the fireworks that you're not too close so young children will not be as frightened by the noise. Using fireworks or planning an outdoor fire? Make sure to have a garden hose or bucket of water handy for emergencies. You can read a more detailed article I wrote on Fireworks Safety at Examiner.com . Have a safe Independence Day! Search Amazon.com for forth of july

Like most parents I fear losing my children in a crowded store when we're out shopping. That coupled with my less than stellar patience with crowded environments means that you won't find me in any stores on Black Friday! But with a little advanced planning your shopping trip can go smoothly. Don’t take younger children shopping when it is close to nap times or during a time of day that they usually have a lot of energy . Those times of day can mean cranky, energetic or less-than-politely behaved children. If your child typically likes to run or hide from you, realize that they are going to do that in a crowded store as well and look around at areas that you think they’re like to hide in. Do you need to shop at a busy time of day? Do you need to take your children to the early morning Black Friday price-slashing sale? Can you shop at a different time? Talk to your child beforehand. Explain to them that the store may be crowded, there may be a lot of fun things to look at, bu...