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Amy Boyington

Parenting, education, and family lifestyle writer.

Find more of my work at amyboyington.com

How Schools Can Give Students a Voice in IEP Meetings

A student is the focal point of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Still, some meetings talk around the student rather than make the student a pivotal person involved in their planning and goal-setting. A successful IEP meeting is one that pulls the student in, gives them a voice, and allows them to take part in educational decision-making. The following tips can help your school create a welcoming environment for students during their IEP meetings.

You can get an excellent insight into
Savings.com •

Life Hacks for Busy Moms and Dads

Here at Savvy, all featured products are thoughtfully handpicked by our section editors. When you purchase something from our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. One last note — any items listed below are in-stock with accurate pricing as of time of publication.

As a parent, you’re busy from the moment you wake up to the time you get the kids in bed. That’s exactly why it’s not just a luxury but a necessity to find little ways to make your job easier. From buying a coffee machine that a
Reader's Digest •

7 Times It’s OK to Encourage Your Kids to Quit Something

7 Times It’s OK to Encourage Your Kids to Quit Something Although encouraging consistent quitting can affect a child's self-esteem, there are some instances where it may be warranted. Here's what the experts say about allowing a child to quit. Activities of any kind—even when they aren’t physical, like sports—can get kids moving, socializing, and finding their interests. But, what if you sign up your child for the soccer team, only to find out that, after three practices, he doesn’t enjoy it? Jo
Best Counseling Degrees •

Best Meditation and Relaxation Techniques

Everyone deals with stress, but for some people, stress can be crippling. Stress is one cause of anxiety, which is increasing across the United States. Currently, anxiety affects 40 million adults in the U.S. — 18.1% of the population, up from 5.12% in 2008. This uptick has led the American Psychological Association to dub anxiety a “national mental health crisis” in its most recent report.

Meditation, a mindfulness practice, can reduce stress and anxiety and create relaxation. Current and futu
Reader's Digest •

8 Ways Even Introverts Can Be Leaders At Work

8 Ways Even Introverts Can Be Leaders At Work Is natural-born leadership really a thing? Communications expert, author, and coach Kristi Hedges, says introverts have just as much potential as anyone else to lead the pack. Why introverts can be leaders If there’s one person who knows about leadership, it’s executive coach, communications expert, and author Kristi Hedges. She’s spent 25 years working with leaders to help them develop the skills necessary to effectively manage and lead their teams.
The Healthy •

10 Medical Reasons Your Child Might Be Overweight

10 Medical Reasons Your Child Might Be Overweight A child's weight isn't always the result of diet and exercise. There are some genetic, biological, and medical causes that play a role in childhood obesity, although some are more common than others. Why is my child overweight? So many things can influence weight, especially in children. As they go through the growing process, their bodies change, and it’s normal for their weight to do so as well. The most common reason children are overweight or
Birds and Blooms •

8 Mosquito-Repelling Plants You Need in Your Backyard ASAP

8 Mosquito-Repelling Plants You Need in Your Backyard ASAP Why invest in pesticides or bug sprays to control mosquitoes when you can repel them naturally with plants? Basil is not just for adding amazing flavor to your favorite dishes. This herb has major gardening benefits, like attracting bees, enhancing the flavor of other plants, and repelling pesky mosquitoes. Matteo Grader, a pest control specialist for the London-based pest control company, Panther Pest Control, says gardeners highly reco
Niche •

Is an Online K-12 School Right for Your Child?

Is an Online K-12 School Right for Your Child?

Choosing the right school system for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent, but it’s not one that will likely come easily.

As curriculum and instruction methods move further into the digital age, it’s no surprise that online schooling is becoming more popular, even for students who are just starting kindergarten. Online instruction can be a worthy alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar schools for children
HealthDigest.com •

What Happens to Your Body During Daylight Saving Time

What Happens To Your Body During Daylight Saving Time For more than a century, Americans have been setting their clocks back in the fall and ahead in the spring to continue the ritual of daylight saving time (DST). According to National Geographic, a few people sparked the idea of DST for various reasons, like allowing for more daylight hours for hunting and saving money on artificial lighting costs. Yet, we still use it today, despite it being hotly contested by many. Most of the people in oppo
Moon and Back •

101 Fun Activities To Do With Kids At Home - Moon And Back

Sure, going to the movies, a museum, or a restaurant can be a fun way to spend time with your kids. But there’s no need to spend a bunch of money – or even leave your home – to keep them entertained. Some of the best educational, adventurous, and engaging activities can be done right in your backyard, kitchen, or living room!

This massive list of fun activities to do with kids – 101 of them, to be exact – features science experiments, cooking activities, workouts, competitions, and other activi