Maumee Town Money Saver | August FOM 2021

How to Prepare Kids to Go BACK TO SCHOOL

While many students look forward to seeing their friends, few want to say goodbye to the relaxing days of summer. Parents know that getting their children back in the school day swing of things can be a challenge. e following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly.

• Introduce more structure as summer vacation winds down. It’s important that parents a ord their children this down time during summer vacation, only gradually introducing more structure as the school year draws closer. In the weeks before the school year is slated to begin, start waking kids up a little earlier and reintroducing bedtimes for younger children who may have been staying up later over the last couple of months. is can be an e ective way to begin slowly preparing youngsters for the structure of the school year.

• Encourage children to read throughout the summer. 47 percent of parents are unaware of the “summer slide,” which refers to the loss of academic skills that occurs when school is not in session. Scholastic notes that the slide is largely

attributed to a lack of reading when school is not in session.

attributed to a lack of reading when school is not in session. By encouraging kids to read during their summer vacations, parents can make sure youngsters’ brains stay sharp and are ready to learn once the school year begins.

• Focus on the positive. Even kids who love school may be apprehensive about returning to the classroom. Parents can confront that apprehension by focusing on the positives of returning to school. Emphasize the chance to see friends every day or participate in a beloved extracurricular activity, like sports, band or a favorite academic club.

• Let kids do some of their own back-to-school shopping. e items that constitute back to school supplies may have changed since parents were in school. But many parents still take their children on back-to-school clothes shopping excursions. Let kids choose their own clothes, as an opportunity to wear clothes they picked themselves might make them excited for the new school year.

Parents can take various steps to make the transition back to school a successful one for their young students.

How To Encourage Your Child To Be More Independent

In order for children to develop their problem­solving skills, improve their self­esteem and ultimately be academically successful, they need to learn to be independent. Here are some ways to encourage your children to do more on their own.

• Assign your children an increasing number of responsibilities according to their age, abilities and maturity level. Avoid giving them too many new duties at once or choosing tasks for which they don’t have all the necessary skills yet.

• When you assign your children a new responsibility, take the time to clearly explain how to complete the task. Supervise them the first few times, but avoid stepping in to do the job yourself.

• If a task is particularly challenging, break it down into several steps. This will help prevent your children from getting discouraged. If they encounter a problem, guide them to a solution by asking questions

Streamline Your Morning Routine

With the start of a new school year on the horizon, you may be wondering how to ensure your mornings aren’t spent frantically rushing around. Here are some tips to help you create a stress-free morning routine.

START THE NIGHT BEFORE

rather than immediately providing an answer.

• Create a chart or calendar outlining your children’s responsibilities (setting the table, helping do the groceries, brushing their teeth, etc.).

Finally, remember to highlight your child’s successes, and praise them for trying even if things don’t go as planned.

One way to save time in the morning is to complete any tasks you can the night before. Be sure to get your kids involved. They can set the table for breakfast, put their gym bag by the front door and lay out the clothes they want to wear.

BE CONSISTENT

As much as possible, do things in the same order every day. This will help make your mornings more efficient and ensure no one forgets to brush their teeth. For young children, an established routine can also help them become more independent.

MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

It’s likely that you’ll need to implement a few changes before you find a morning routine that works for everyone. Give yourself time to adjust to the new school year, and don’t hesitate to divide up tasks between family members.

INCLUDE SOME FREE TIME

Schedule 10 minutes of free time for your children in the morning. Not only will they be tempted to get ready faster so they can play, but you’ll also have some time for yourself. Additionally, this serves as a good buffer if something unexpected comes up.

HAPPY BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON!

A Guide To Insulated Containers

Insulated food containers are an easy option for keeping school lunches warm.

WHAT TO BUY

Since an insulated food container won’t retain heat as long if it’s only half full, choose a model based on the typical portion size you serve your child. Opt for a container with a large opening, as it’ll be easier to fill and clean. Terms such as “double wall” and “vacuum insulation” will ensure meals stay hot for more than a few hours.

HOW TO USE IT

Never put an insulated food container in the microwave. Instead, fill it with boiling water and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Additionally, heat the food to a high temperature (too hot to eat right away) before placing it in the container. This will prevent bacteria growth. Note that food won’t stay hot for long in an insulated food container unless there’s some liquid in it.

HOW TO CLEAN IT

It’s best to clean it by hand. This will ensure it stays in good condition and won’t lose its thermal capabilities. If there’s a lingering scent in the container, fill it with hot water and baking soda, and let it sit for a few hours.

your trusted Automotive Guide

ACURA

Dave White Acura 5880 Monroe St. Sylvania (419) 885-3600 whitecars.com

BMW

BMW of Toledo 7600 W. Central Toledo 1(844) 892-5408 bmwoftoledo.com

BUICK

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Groulx Buick - GMC 15435 S. Dixie Hwy. Monroe, MI (734) 241-3704 groulxbuickgma.com

CHEVROLET

Dave White Chevrolet 5880 Monroe St. Sylvania (419) 885-4444 whitecars.com

Yark Chevrolet 26997 N Dixie Hwy Perrysburg (419) 877-7658 yarkchevy.com

CHRYSLER

Yark Chrysler 6019 W. Central Ave. Toledo (855) 817-1501 yarkchrysler.com

DODGE

Yark Dodge 6019 W. Central Ave. Toledo (855) 817-1501

New Car

FIAT

Yark Fiat 6000 W. Central Ave. Toledo 1(844) 847-3702 yarkfiat.com

FORD

BRONDES FORD 1475 Arrowhead Rd. Maumee (419) 329-4062

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BRONDES FORD 5545 Secor Rd. Toledo (419) 491-7004 brondes.com

STEVE ROGERS FORD 9760 State Route 64 Waterville (419) 878-8151

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GMC

Ballas Buick-GMC 5715 W. Central Ave. Toledo (419) 535-1000 ballasbuickgmc.com

Groulx Buick - GMC 15435 S. Dixie Hwy. Monroe, MI (734) 241-3704 groulxbuickgma.com

HONDA

Jim White Honda 1505 Reynolds Rd. Maumee (419) 893-5581 jimwhitehonda.com

JEEP Yark Jeep 6019 W. Central Ave. Toledo (855) 817-1501 yarkjeep.com

LINCOLN

Brondes Lincoln 1475 Arrowhead Rd. Maumee (419) 329-4062 brondeslincolnmaumee.com

MAZDA

Yark Mazda 6000 W. Central Ave. Toledo (419) 842-7454

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NISSAN

Gerweck Nissan 15407 So. Monroe St. Monroe, MI (734) 457-0100 gerwicknissan.com

Yark Nissan 5957 W. Central Ave. Toledo (844) 815-4874 yarknissan.com

RAM

Yark Ram 6019 W. Central Ave. Toledo (855) 817-1501 yarkram.com

SUBARU

Yark Subaru 6041 W. Central Ave. Toledo 1(844) 492-9955 yarksubaru.com

TOYOTA

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Yark Toyota 1377 Conant St. Maumee (844) 819-2577 yarktoyota.com

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Why Excavation Is Best Left to the Professionals

When shopping for a home, buyers may begin to envision changes they would make to a property if they were eventually to call it home. Changing an existing structure or building an entirely new home on an empty plot of land typically require excavation.

What is excavation?

Excavation is the process of extracting material from the ground by digging.

Can do-it-yourselfers excavate?

Excavation isa complicated process that requires the use of specialized tools and equipment. In addition, a strong understanding of the land that will be excavated is required for the project to be safe and go smoothly.

Why hire an excavation professional?

Even the most skilled DIYer might be better o hiring an excavation professional than going it alone. at’s true for a number of reasons.

• Liability: Homeowners who hire a fully licensed and insured professional excavation rm can rest easy knowing that they will not be responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur during the project.

• Permits/requirements: A professional excavation rm typically les permits needed to go forward with the project. In addition, professionals will know the local laws regarding building and excavation.

• Experience: A lack of excavation experience can result in damage to a homeowner’s property and surrounding properties, which can prove costly. DIYers may not know the type of soil they have on their property nor recognize the di erent types of challenges each type of soil can present during an excavation project.

Skilled DIYers can tackle many home improvement projects on their own. However, the complex nature of excavation makes these types of projects the kind that are best le to skilled professionals.

Expires 10/1/21