Amy and I have a terrible work-life balance. We are both working nearly full-time right now, and that leaves little margin for the “extras.” What Now?! A few weeks ago, feeling the load from a busy week, and Amy swamped with all her responsibilities, we both found ourselves at the front reception at the same [...]
Amy and I have four boys. Our home is filled with rough-housing, noise, smell, and a ton of food. Our boys are extremely active. They all play sports. We shuttle them back-and-forth from sports, swimming, and playdates. Yet somehow, when they return home, they still have energy to burn. We encourage (hear “tell”) them to [...]
Another school year is well underway. I did the math for my family and this year was my 20th year of dropping my kids off for their first day of school at ACS. Twenty years of packing lunches. Twenty years of saying “Have a great day!” as they jump out of the car. Twenty years [...]
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of watching my son, Aiden, play in his last high school volleyball game. It was a fun weekend away in Victoria, cheering him on. Even though it wasn’t the finish his team was hoping for, I thought it was an unbelievable way to finish off his years [...]
In all the excitement of sending my oldest, Luke, off to his new part-time kindergarten class this fall, I failed to realize that I, too, am starting school in a whole new capacity this year. Granted, I also joined the ACS staff as a part-time graphic designer, but that’s not what I’m talking about. What [...]
Sometimes the world is heavy. The news is heavy. Our hearts are heavy. I hear the word anxiety tossed around like a disease that people have. As a teacher I hear it often in reference to kids who “have anxiety.” I have a little girl in my class who struggles with worries and heavy thoughts. [...]
Today I spent a day at home with my youngest. The other boys were off to school as usual, but Levi and I were part of the functional closure and found ourselves at home. Levi being the organized chap that he is, had us up on time, breakfast wolfed down as if we had somewhere [...]
Prepare yourself, I’m going to complain. Yes, it’s probably not healthy and it goes against my typically moderate stance on anything that gets posted on social media, but I’m doing it anyways. I, Karin Riemer, mother of a kindergarten student, think that Kindergarten Gradual Entry is the worst! Professionally, as an educator and an elementary [...]
I don’t think it matters if you have one child, a baker’s dozen, or any number in between; raising your children and being a family is one of life's greatest adventures. For my husband and I, we have learned that in the joys, the struggles, and the in-betweens of this great adventure, parenting our four-year-old [...]
My third son, Aiden, just got his L. More than any of my other boys, he has been looking forward to driving and has been talking about this day for as long as I can remember. He always loves adventures, risk taking, trying new things, and has the confidence to believe that whatever he tries [...]
