Category: Smart Mom’s Guide

By Cammie Jones   Our teens may be able to navigate their smart phone, tablet or computer like no other but I worry about their abilities in the real world. Can they do a load of laundry, fill out a check, balance a checkbook or boil an egg? These are just a few of the key life skills needed by our children— especially before they head off on their own. 1. Basic Kitchen Skills Besides navigating the microwave, it is important that your child knows how to cook on a stovetop and in an oven. Following basic instructions on...

By Cammie Jones   My oldest is going to college this month. As I write this, we are finishing up with her high school graduation festivities and easing into summer. Before we know it, we will be packing up  and heading to Athens to begin which is sure to be some of the best years of her life.  We have a long list of things to do. One of the most crucial is getting everything needed for dorm life. Here’s a list of the many things needed to start off on the right foot. 1. Bedding – Even though...

By Cammie Jones   Autism is diagnosed in 1 of 68 children and more often in boys. As a parent at this point in my life with two teens and a preteen, I know of many families who have a child with autism. When I think about the kids I know, I don’t automatically refer to him or her as the autistic one. I first think about how amazing the child is and how, even though they may have special needs, that label really doesn’t play into my description of each of them. With that said, here is a...

By Cammie Jones   Disney World! Just the sound of that word is magical. From experience, I think it really is. However, the task of planning such a trip can be a little daunting. What is a must — see? Where should we stay? Is it worth the extra cash to stay in a Disney World property? I checked out some recent websites and talked to a local “Disney World Professional” to get some advice. 1. Before you Book It, Do you Research! Research is necessary for a trip like this. Start with a Google search on tips for...

By Cammie Jones   You are either a camper or not. I really don’t think there is anything in between, at least not in my experience. If you do have a camper who wants to continue the camp experience after they have aged out of the camp, he or she may want to look into a summer job as a camp counselor. I  can’t think of a better way to continue experiencing all summer camp has to offer than by actually working there.  Here are some tips about what you need to do to get that summer camp counselor...