Comments on: Best of Both Worlds podcast: Annual back-to-school extravaganza https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-annual-back-to-school-extravaganza/ Writer, Author, Speaker Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:01:14 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-annual-back-to-school-extravaganza/#comment-476125 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:01:14 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19258#comment-476125 In reply to Leah Burman.

@Leah – yep, tech can be a great reward for getting ready on time. And I hear you on the late night messages. This is one reason we confiscate the phones but I’m kind of shocked that kids are sending texts at 2 a.m.

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-annual-back-to-school-extravaganza/#comment-476121 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 16:59:29 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19258#comment-476121 In reply to Sarah Leslie.

@Sarah – having just deposited $450 into lunch accounts, I hear you! Since two of my kids often get to school on the earlier side, I’m definitely going to suggest they stop by the breakfast.

]]> By: Sarah Leslie https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-annual-back-to-school-extravaganza/#comment-476109 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:42:57 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19258#comment-476109 Minnesota passed universal free breakfast and lunch starting this school year and I couldn’t be happier. All kids get fed, which helps their learning and behavior, and there is no stigma for anyone who doesn’t have paid-up lunch accounts. A better learning environment for everyone is a win.

We are privileged that we don’t need free lunches in our family, but we benefit in so many other ways. I don’t have to load lunch accounts, I don’t have to pack lunches that meet class allergen standards, and *no* dealing with meeting the preferences of two kids who change those preferences daily. I couldn’t tell you how much of our tax bill goes towards this particular program, but given that we no longer pay over $100/month for school lunches along with the other benefits, seems like a win to us.

]]> By: Leah Burman https://lauravanderkam.com/2023/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-annual-back-to-school-extravaganza/#comment-475377 Thu, 31 Aug 2023 01:10:51 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19258#comment-475377 This may not be a popular idea, but here’s my tried and tested trick to get middle/high schooler out the door in the AM: When I wake up I take their phone and air pods from the kitchen charger and put them in the car. Once they are done with the morning routine, they go to the car and get tech. If they finish with breakfast, lunch packing, and getting ready early they get more screen time before school. We have a short drive to school so if they aren’t ready on time they get basically no time to catch up on messages from friends before school dropoff. I also apparently cut off screen time in the evening earlier than most in our area because they both wake up to many missed messages and phone calls! #naturalconsequences

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