Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday, August 31

Here's a final tip for you as the new school year begins:

When it all boils down, what is most important in sending our children off to school? That they are spiritually equipped.

If you are only able to take away one or two tips from the month, I would encourage you to stick with these essentials:

Pray over your child on their first day of school and choose a verse for the year.

(Our family's school year verse this year is Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." NIV)

Choose whatever verse you find that covers your own children's needs.

Have a great school year!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Monday, August 30

Brittney’s Bucket List

*Write thank you notes to teachers and people who made a difference in my life.

*Visit Times Square on New Year’s Eve or Visit Punxatawney PA on Groundhog Day

*Go to a department store and buy an outfit at full price, get the full treatment at a day spa and then go on a date with Drew to a fancy restaurant

*Go to the airport and take the next direct flight to anywhere

*Run a mile (I've struggled with asthma my whole life and now my doctor has given me the "all clear" signal! PTL!)

*Get a book published (Manuscript written)

*Learn to swim

*Go on a missions trip with Compassion International or World Vision

*Do a Bible study for every book of the Bible (Three down, 63 to go!)

*Read and finish a book that is over 300 pages in length

So, what's on YOUR "Bucket List"? Let me know! Email: bswitala@wolc.org

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday, August 27

BACKPACK SAFETY

-Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.

-Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the your child’s body weight.

-Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

-Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

For more information, click here.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thursday, August 26

Another "Back to School" thought:

If you are responsible to bring your own padlock for your locker, practice opening and closing it now!

LUNCH FOR A BUNCH: Congratulations to the staff at the U.S. Postal Service Office in Mardela Springs!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wednesday, August 25

Here's another tip for you:

Join the PTA or other parents' organization at school to make an impact.


*Don't forget, tomorrow we'll draw our weekly "Lunch for a Bunch" winner at 12:05pm, so if you haven't registered your office yet, there's still time to do so!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tuesday, August 24

Today's "Back to School" tip:

Designate a route to and from school. This is the route where you'll know to find your kids in case there is an emergency--or they forgot something.

Knowing this route will also help you know how long to anticipate it to take your children to get home in the afternoon.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday, August 20

Happy Friday!

Today's tip:

"Hang time"- that time between when the last school bell rings and the time kids arrive home... Have a talk with your child about when you expect them to arrive home each day, if they are not riding the bus. As students get older they desire more freedom so discuss a length of social time after school you can both agree on.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Thursday, August 19

Today's tip:

Have "the talk"... the cell phone talk! Before the kids are in school and hit the "everybody has one" pressure, discuss your thoughts on getting a cell phone as a family.

Maybe this is the right time for your son or daughter to have their own phone, maybe there is a compromise you are willing to make, or maybe the answer is simply, "no." Having this talk before school starts cuts the argument off at the pass.

LUNCH FOR A BUNCH*: Congratulations to the staff at True Vine Lawn Care in Salisbury!

*Every Thursday, we draw the name of a local office to receive a free lunch, courtesy of Chick-fil-A at the Centre in Salisbury. Register here for your chance to win!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wednesday, August 18

Today's "Back to School" tip:

Pray a blessing over each of your children on their first day of school. Gather around as a family, holding hands or touching your child's head or shoulders as you pray for God's blessing over each of them in the new school year.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Tuesday, August 17

Another day, another tip!

Start off the school year right with a Back to School Party! Make it as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. For some good homemade fun have a watermelon seed spitting contest and a water gun fight!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Monday, August 16

Brittney's "Back to School" tip for today:

Teach your little ones important information they'll need to know in an emergency: Name, address, telephone number and parent's names.

(Knowing these things will also relieve and amaze their Kindergarten teachers!)

Friday, August 13

Today's tip:

Select a Bible verse as the "Verse of the Year" for each child in the family.



5 Tips for Eating Well in College (And avoiding the Freshman 15!)
*Eat three meals a day
*Carry a water bottle
*Grab a piece of fruit
*Take a vitamin
*Keep healthy snacks in your room

(from MSN.com Health and Fitness)

Thursday, August 12

Today's "Back to School" tip:

They can it separation anxiety...and it occurs almost as much in parents as it does in our little preschoolers or Kindergarteners heading off to school for the first time.

To prepare your kids for long days away, plan a play date or extended time with a babysitter. Also keep in mind that a kiss and a big hug on the first day then saying good-bye are better than a long, drawn out farewell.

(Child Study Center, Wellesley College)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Wednesday, August 11

Here's today's Back To School Tip...

Make sure kids are ready to learn by keeping them healthy! Put a big emphasis on handwashing (washing the entire hand and wrist for 13 seconds while singing "Happy Birthday to You!" In addition, make sure the kids are staying physically active by encouraging outdoor play.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Tuesday, August 9


Today’s Back to School Tip: Fix healthy meals and serve them at the times kids eat during the school year.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Monday, August 9

Hope you had a nice weekend and I'm so happy you're joining me today as we begin a new week!

Money Saving Energy Tip from Delmarva Power: Postpone using major electric household appliances such as stoves, dishwachers, and clothes dryers until the cooler evening hours.

For the next several days during Midday Joy, I'll be sharing some Back To School Tips:
Here's Today's Tip:

Begin the sleep schedule transition now to make it easier for the kids to handle their school day routine in a couple of weeks. One back-to-school item you may want to purchase is an alarm clock to help your kids be responsible for their own wake-up times.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Midday Joy with Brittney!

Here's Five Tips for Cleaning Smarter:

1.) Pare down. Get rid of things you don't love.
2.) Gear up. Have the right tools for cleaning - in the rooms you need them
3.) Deal with little jobs before they become big jobs.
4.) Just clean what is dirty - the one dirty spot on the floor, not all the floors!
5.) Focus elswhere - listen to music or talk to a friend on your Blue Tooth headset while cleaning.

For more ideas click here.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Hey Everyone it's Wednesday, August 4th

Hi everyone it's Brittney and I'm so honored to be spending some time with you today.

Here are some of the things I shared during todays Midday Joy!

Summer is the best time to buy these items: Big Appliances, Furniture, Laptops, Cars and Lawn Mowers. Click this link to learn more.

"Healthified recipes" like the "Healthified Triple Chocolate Pie" can be found at www.eatbetteramerica.com.