by Nina Parrish | Aug 3, 2017 | Children, Community, Family, Fredericksburg, Parenting, School Supply Drive, Summer Activities
Ten Tips for Tax Free Weekend Back to School Shopping in Virginia The Virginia Sales Tax Holiday or Tax Free Weekend is coming up this Friday, August 4th through Sunday, August 6th. During this time period, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear,...
by Nina Parrish | Jul 5, 2017 | Children, Family, Parenting
The Secret to Happiness I feel a tug on the bottom of my sweater and look up from my work at the computer to see my two-year-old. “Apple Blessing, Mom” she says. I can’t even count the number of times I have heard these words in the last month. She asks me to sing...
by Nina Parrish | Jun 22, 2017 | Children, Education, Family, Huffington Post, Parenting, Students, Summer Activities
Put Down that Workbook, Summer Learning Should Not Be Torture I see you in Walmart or Borders buying that summer workbook for your kids, and I know that you have the best intentions. I have had the same thoughts myself. Nothing is more infuriating than coming home...
by Nina Parrish | May 18, 2017 | Children, Education, New SAT, Parenting, PSAT, SAT Prep, School, SOL, Students, Study Skills, Test Strategies
Five Strategies for Surviving End-of-the-Year Testing Good Morning. Testing will begin shortly after you complete the identification information on your answer sheet. Please listen carefully to the following instructions. You may not eat or drink in this room. You may...
by Nina Parrish | May 12, 2017 | Children, Education, Family, Fredericksburg, Parenting, Students, Summer Activities
School is almost over and the kids are ready for SUMMERl! It’s time to play video games, go to the pool and really just relax. While these are all fun summer activities, it turns out that inactive summers can really result in what’s called the “Summer Slide”. All kids...
by Nina Parrish | Mar 9, 2017 | Children, Education, Family, Parenting, Students
If Your Kids Can Do It Themselves, Let Them: 4 Ways to Foster Independence I walked over to the coffee pot to put in the filter and spoon the tiny black granules into the basin. Above the soothing drip drip drip of coffee entering the pot, I suddenly hear my oldest...