Making Education and Graduation An Important Topic to Discuss With Our Children

Youth from across the country are celebrating their high school accomplishments and are getting ready to make the transition into post-secondary education. There are almost 400,000 young people in Canada who are at risk of dropping out of high school. Education and graduation are not always hot topics at the dinner table. Research shows particularly in low-income neighbourhoods the high school dropout rate can be as high as 70 per cent.

Wonderful Books At The Back to School Boutique To Help Our Children Learn

It's back to school time, and DK wants to help us make the start to the school year the best ever for our children and us. There is a wonderful range of titles covering geography, history, science and more at DK Back to School Boutique for children of all ages, all specially priced for a limited time. Check out their Back to school boutique and take advantage of the sale.

Be #BacktoSchool Ready

Some products and companies to keep in mind during Back to School Season.

Keep yourself and family organized with the 2015/2016 Day Ja View Calendar. I enjoyed using this calendar last year. Day Ja View, August to July wall calendars starts on Monday and ends on Sunday. I like this unique calendar because it comes with stickers that we can place on the removable plastic protective sheet, and avoid re-writing recurring activities.

Making This School Year the Best with DK Books

With the start of a new school year, I think it is important to set some routines for our children around doing some extra practice after school. This routine is very important to us, especially since the school my children attend don't give homework due to the no homework policy. I find the selection of books at the DK's Back to School boutique such as their Made Easy series, and 10 Minutes a Day series are helpful for my children to get some extra practice and ask us questions about context they would have been introduced to in school. These books and more are now available for 30% off its regular price.

Getting our Children's Sight Checked Before School Starts

With school starting soon, we have been focusing on getting back-to-school gear ready. This is also a good time to take children over 6-months of age for a yearly eye examination that is covered by OHIP. Success at school depends on how much children can comfortably see the blackboard and their books without squinting or rubbing their eyes. For some children, eyeglasses can mean the difference between thriving at school and falling behind. Since it is so easy to buy eyeglasses online here at low prices, getting your children’s eyes checked out shouldn’t be something you put off.

Tech tips for #BacktoSchool

With Back to School Season it is always wonderful to know some useful tech tips. These tips from journalist Marc Saltzman will help students make the most out of their school year.

Shopping at Mark's as the Back to School Routine Starts

The yearly events at the CNE usually reminds us that back to school routines will be starting soon! We are looking forward to go the Canadian National Exhibition this year as well, as the events happen between August 19th to September 5th.

Lovable labels back to school package review and giveaway

Lovable labels was launched in 2003 by a mom who found the need for durable, tough labels that will test time and everything children put labels through. The product line is influenced by customer suggestions and feedback. The labels are available online to make it convenient to order from anywhere in the world.

As a parent or guardian, we know daycares, schools and camps require us to label everything we send with our children.  Lovable labels offer a unique choice of colour and designs that children and adults will like.  I liked that the labels come in a convenient booklet so it would be easy to find when we need to use it.  The tabs on the booklet makes it easy to know the intended use. 

When we personalize belongings, I find children tend to take better care of it and not loose it; this in turns saves us money. 
These labels grow with the child so it is a good investment to get the back to school package with over 165 labels.  In a household of multiple children it helps to keep things organized and personal where children will feel unique.
These labels were personalized for my daughter.  She was really happy to see the cool package of printed labels with her name on it.  She helped me choose the design on the net :)  
The cool mini metal bag tags will be treasured :)  We already put the bag tags on her school and sunday school bag for September.  My daughter has placed many of the labels on all her belongings.

Loveable labels

• are waterproof and bleach safe; therefore the labels can go in the dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer. 
• will not fade as it is UV and temperature resistant.
• are safe from tiny fingers trying to pick it as the labels are made with good quality 3M scotch marking film. 
• The labels stick on all products with smooth surfaces, shoes, clothing etc. 
• Clothing labels come in 3 sizes and aren't meant for sticking on material.  Peel n' label on garment tags, care labels or nylon lining found in jackets and snow pants without the need to iron.
• The multipurpose sticker labels, slimline, square, fun stickers stay well on flat, clean and dry surfaces. 
• The shoe labels are perfect for inside the non-shiny insole of the footwear.  

The lunch box "lil'love" messages are cute.  Children will like to see these messages in their lunch box.  I pasted the stickers on little cards and transparent plastic paper so I could place different messages inside the lunch box and bag.  This way I could change it up and reuse the stickers to make a special moment during lunch.
There are many other unique products on the Loveable label site, do check it out for yourself.  Get the labels now so you can prepare and be ready for school in September.

Use this coupon code: BTS201213 during checkout to get $5 off on your $25 or more purchase until September 30, 2012.

Giveaway: If you would like to win this back to school package of unique labels in your style with your child's name then leave a comment on this post.  Giveaway is open to Canadian and US readers. It ends on August 10th.

Follow Loveable labels and createwithmom on twitter so it is easy to let you know if you win.

Like Loveable labels and createwithmom on Facebook so you know about special deals, contests and offers (not mandatory but would be nice)

Share the love of this giveaway by tweeting or posting on your site.
Update: The winner is sweet panda

Disclosure: This product was provided for me to conduct a honest review All opinion and rights reserved on written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Shopping for Back to School Outfits

This is the time of the year, we shop for the latest trends, colours, and styles of clothing for our children. Before a new school year starts, we go through our children's closet to get rid of clothes that no longer fit them, and shop for outfits that they will enjoy wearing to school especially as the weather becomes cooler. We like shopping at Sears Canada for children's clothes because they have a wide selection of their own private label styles at reasonable prices.

Staples Back to School event and contest

Staples Canada is the largest office products company that has a wide choice of office services and products.  Staples offers an assortment of designs and essentials throughout the year to fit the needs of students from kindergarten to college and university.

Here are some product trends:
The Staples Better Binders that mix and match notebooks, pencil pouches and other basics come in beautiful themes such as Sugar rush (vibrant candy-coloured hues) and Graphic Fantastic (retro 80s sci-fi era).
Everyone will enjoy the cute cool lunch bags such as the built NY lunch bags, fun lunch bags and personalized water bottles.  I liked the stylish lunch bags i.e. Elle for girls and ladies.

Staples has a wide range of backpacks that come in fashionable colours, Disney themes to attract the princess and superhero fans.    
Older children can choose from the selection of ergonomic bags i.e. Hilroy Five Star backpacks to help avoid injuries because the shoulder straps ensure even distribution of weight and sits correctly on the back.  
There are lots of products and learning supplies for educators, preschoolers and young children. 
 
I liked all the locker gears.  The selection of locker accessories are vast, wish some of these were available when I was in high school :)  Everything was in fashion inspired colours and patterns.  They also have different styles of Dudley combination locks.  
There are lots of innovative stylish calculators and earbuds.  The Crayola Earbuds looked really cool.
Many products were in animal prints such as pencils, books, scissors and many more.

The functional flash drives were very neat, everything looked cool enough for us to start a collection.  There were different types of USB drives i.e. cartoon characters, movie characters and cars.  I liked the car USBs; I wouldn't have thought these were flash drives.

I liked the products that were available for home office and geared for moms to help stay organized such as the planners, colour coding files, labels etc.

Staples back to school 7th annual school supply drive
Many Canadian families struggle to provide their children with the supplies needed to succeed; so Staples Canada along with the customers are collecting money or supplies until September 9th.  
Support your local community by donating.  All donations remain in the respective local communities.  These items are not just tools, but a way to start the school year with confidence and enthusiasm.  Staples goal is to raise a total of $1.5 million.  

Contest
Build Your Backpack on the Staples Canada Facebook and win school supplies prize packs.  Students will be encouraged to share both their creativity and wish lists through the app.

This pen reminds us of the upcoming September 14th Finding Nemo on 3D coming to the theatres, are you excited to SEA it as well :)
All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Getting Our Back to School Supplies Early

When the time nears for school to start again in September... I prefer to be prepared early, so I don't feel like I am in a rush in the last minute. My family and I avoid the rush by starting our back to school shopping early. Staples has everything we need for our school and office supplies, which makes it easy to find everything we need in one trip. They have a wide selection of services and products making #goingback easy.

Make a Change and Help End Child Hunger #Toonies4Tummies

We know how important having a healthy breakfast is for our overall well-being. I am glad that the Ontario based not-for-profit organization Grocery Foundation Voucher program, Toonies for Tummies gives every Canadian a chance to fundraise towards providing nutritious breakfasts and snacks for school-aged students across Ontario and Western Canada. 

Getting Ready for School and Rearranging Our Workspace

It is very important for children and adults alike to setup a separate space to either do homework or office work without distractions. We have a dedicated room to study, work, and practice our creative flow. We spruced up our creative corner by adding a couple of office and school furniture from Canadian Tire. The CANVAS brand Blair office chair and the Clara desk go well together and bring a whole different, refreshing feel to the room.

Learning about Compassion and Good Health from Doc McStuffins: School of Medicine

The Latest Collection of Disney Junior's Acclaimed Emmy®-Nominated Animated Series, Doc McStuffins: School of Medicine arrived on Disney DVD September 9th. My children are fans of Doc McStuffins and enjoy the episodes. I like my children watching this show because Doc McStuffins episodes role model about compassion and good health. This DVD includes an exclusive Doc McStuffins dress up play set.

Be Part of Toonies For Tummies

Many of us know and have heard of the importance of having a healthy breakfast, and how this affects our overall well-being. Toonies for Tummies is a campaign that every Canadian must know about and help out. Grocery Foundation Voucher program, Toonies for Tummies is an in-store fundraising effort organized by the not-for-profit organization Grocery Foundation on behalf of food, beverage and consumer goods manufacturers, distributors and retailers to raise funds to support school nutrition programs administered by registered charities. Toonies for Tummies will be held in stores this year from February 5 to 19. A Toonie is all it takes to feed a tummy, donate today to help end child hunger.

Art of Handwriting and Creative Lettering

Penmanship is in peril. In today’s electronics-driven world, the emphasis on handwriting is not a priority, especially for school-aged children. Despite the allure of electronics, experts agree handwriting is critical to a child’s education and development. "Handwriting plays a role in helping children build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills," says Pam Allyn, a literacy advocate, education expert and author and founder of LitWorld, a global organization that advocates for children’s rights as readers, writers and learners. "Writing is an important vehicle for communication because it distinguishes us and promotes individuality. The evidence shows that writing helps kids become better readers, improves school performance and helps develop idea composition, expression, and fine-motor skills."

Taking Time to Rejuvenate

Parenting may be a 24/7 gig, but taking time out for our self helps keep us strong for our family. This month's Stream Team topic is about reminding moms to take some time for themselves and maybe catching up on their favourite TV shows.

Back to School Netflix Inspirations

As our little ones have gone back to school, it is a good time for our children to brush up on some basic skills starting from the beginning of the year. These titles available on Netflix are good shows to watch after a busy day at school to relax and do some fun learning.

Get Ready for School by winning this Giant Tiger Gift Card

Giant Tiger, a Canadian family owned discount store that has over 200 stores in 8 provinces across Canada. I like that they carry affordable, everyday necessities at low prices. It is a one-stop shop with wonderful deals on products for the home and for everyone in the family. I found it neat that each of their stores have unique deals to meet the needs of customers who come to the specific stores. While shopping at a Giant Tiger location close to our home, I found some useful items that were reasonably priced.

Back-to-school shopping on Amazon

We have been busy travelling and enjoying the warm weather, which has made it hard to come to terms with reality - school will be starting in a couple of weeks! With shopping malls becoming busy for back to school shopping, we find the most convenient way to shop is online at Amazon.ca.