By Guest Blogger Ellen Dockham


When people find out I homeschool my two kids, ages 9 and 12, I get a variety of reactions, many of which can be summed up in the comment, “I could NEVER do that.” Occasionally, though, someone will say they admire homeschooling and would like to know how I reached that decision. Read More

By Beth Frack, Artist-in-Residence at Forsyth Country Day School

Several years ago, I taught music to a kindergarten student who was described by his classroom teachers and parents as unhappy, moody, contradictory and never excited about anything. That same year I gave him a solo in a school musical, and it was like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. This child became confident and excited about everything. Suddenly, there was joy and happiness, and it spilled over into his classroom and home life in a very positive way. The teachers were amazed at thetransformation in this child, and they attributed the change to the joy that music brought into his life. Read More

All moms deserve recognition just for being incredible people!  Here at Triangle Moms On Main, we want to highlight local moms and give them the props they deserve.  Meet these extraordinary women who are making a difference in the lives of their families, friends, strangers, and the community.  They might be movers, shakers, entrepreneurs, athletes, volunteers, or caregivers, but most importantly … they are moms!

For a look back at all of our moms on the move, click here...we've featured some great women! Read More

by guest blogger Jennifer Benoit of Tutor Doctor Raleigh-Durham

According to the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State*, our children will be facing more diverse needs in the job market than ever.  At the recent Superintendent’s Breakfast in Wake County, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. James Zuiches (NCSU) speak.  He relayed data and figures that made me consider the path of the students we serve through tutoring along with the path of my own son.


See the data below taken from the Institute: Read More

by guest blogger Becky Spence, author of www.thisreadingmomma.com

 Becky is a teacher-turned-stay-at-home mama (SAHM) of three little blessings. She is very passionate about literacy and loves to share the things they do at home as well as things she does as a reading tutor with other teachers and parents. I hope today's post gives you some great ideas.  ... Rachel Hoeing

It’s writing time!  You set your darling down at the kitchen table to write while you prepare dinner.  Then it begins.  “Mom!  How do you spell…?”   Do you ever feel tied down…like you must sit and spell every unknown word to your young speller?   I know sometimes I do.  Here are a few spelling strategies and resources this reading mama has used with young spellers to help them spell more independently.   Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

We've made a few changes to the Triangle Moms on Main website lately, and one of them will be super-helpful: we've been building and organizing directories for all you busy moms! Kids Eat Free was the first directory we published, with day cares and preschools following shortly thereafter. As we compile our new lists, it's really important to us that we include as many "mom-approved" places as possible, so we need your help!  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

We hope your children are off to a successful and fun 2011-2012 school year!  Whether your child is in preschool or high school, we have a helpful post for you today. 

Who better to give “back to school“ advice than teachers? I have interviewed teachers who work with children and teens of all ages. I also spoke to teachers of self-contained and special needs classrooms. I asked each of them, “If you could tell parents one thing, what would it be?” I hope your find their advice helpful and inspiring!  If you are a teacher yourself, please add your tips to the comment section at the end of this post.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

OK, so I realize that we're still easing into the (traditional) school year, but my sister's kids started a week earlier than we did here, and I am betting that she's already observing the same study patterns as in the early months of last year.

I should back up and mention for those of you that don't know: my older sister is a math and science whiz who just happens to have an innate talent for writing and communication. In short, she can do it all, and pretty well. (Flash back to 10th grade day 1, where my older sister is making jokes with her Advanced Physics teacher while I am averting my eyes from Mrs. "How could you have gotten a D in geometry last year when your sister is SO SMART" Math teacher. But I digress.)  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell


This list of "interesting" test responses originally came to me in an email entitled "Why Teachers Drink" and it is just hysterical. The sender is a former high school teacher and she did verify that yes, these kinds of answers happen every day. Enjoy! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's that time of year again...first days of school all over the area. Many kids view this as an exciting time, but others feel very nervous. In cruising my favorite blogs, I came across http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com, and found a great poem on an older post. It seems especially fitting for the first day of school, reminding our kids that each year brings a clean slate. If every child walked into a new classroom believing he or she could be whomever they wanted to be in a safe, happy place on the other side of the door, imagine what could happen!  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

My niece starts high school this week. Ninth grade!! I remember her 9th birthday. (Who am I kidding, I remember when she was 9 days old, 9 weeks old...) This time of year always makes me wonder: where does the time go?

Many of our local year-round schools kicked off their new calendar years earlier this month, but for traditional schools, that day is coming up quickly. There's always such a flurry to get our supplies and to make sure everything in its place for day 1, but when it comes down to it, how do you get your kids ready to go back? Sleeping late goes back to being a weekend activity, among other things...

In general, we all know what we have to do, but I've collected some tips from parents I know, as well as from Parents Magazine. Many of these are common sense things that I will admit, I don't always do, but they always help when I do them: Read More

by guest blogger Ashleigh Pike

So, summer is here! Time to sleep in, relax by the pool, go on vacation and not do any homework………..wrong!! Ok, well maybe not “homework” technically, but no need to let those smart young minds atrophy during the summer months. Here are a few tips on what you can do with your children this summer to keep their minds sharp and maybe (gasp!) have some fun too! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Did you know that 2011 marks the 32nd year of the Festival for the Eno in Durham? The Festival for the Eno is held annually at West Point on the Eno (Durham City Park) over 4th of July weekend. If you’ve never been, this is a ticketed event showcasing non-stop blues, rock, bluegrass, folk, old time, gospel and world music; and featuring the exhibition and sale of crafts by over 100 specially-selected artists.

The Festival is also quite educational for children and adults alike. Look for EEEK! (Eno Environmental Education for Kids), the Sustainable Home and Garden Expo, and hands-on exhibits, demos, and workshops to help you and your family learn about the river and the importance of environmental stewardship. From the Festival website: Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Have you or your kids ever toured a farm? We had wonderful family friends growing up who owned a dairy farm, but since we moved to NC, we’ve become real city slickers. (Suburb slickers? Anyway.) There are actually quite a few farms in and around the Triangle, but not many are open to visits and tours. Luckily, Homeland Creamery is nearby - just over an hour away - and has tons of things to see!

From the Homeland Creamery http://www.homelandcreamery.com/ website:  “Children should have the opportunity to learn that our food (including milk) is produced on a farm and is not just a product of the local grocery store. Our goal is to make sure that your trip to our farm is a good learning experience.”  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When someone asks “What’s your favorite way to spend the day with your child in Raleigh?” how do you respond?  Without a doubt, I’d recommend a visit to Marbles Kids Museum. Clearly, many of you agree – Marbles won TWO Mom’s Choice Awards!

In addition to winning the Mom’s Choice Award for the Triangle’s Best Children’s Museum, our area moms also voted Marbles as the Best Place to hold a Child’s Birthday Party. When they say “so much to do” they are not kidding! But we’ll talk about that in a minute…For those of you who have not yet discovered all of the wonders of Marbles, let’s get you caught up.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! Let's find out who you have chosen as the cream of the crop, tip of the top, best in the Triangle...because you said so!  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

Teachers might as well be the target of Donna Summer’s song “She Works Hard for the Money.” Teachers put in a full day of work inside the school walls, but also spend hours upon hours planning, grading, and assessing at home as well. We all want to show them our appreciation at the holidays. Even if you are low on money this year, a handmade card or treat from the student is always cherished. I have a few favorite gifts from all price ranges that I received throughout my years of teaching. I hope these ideas are helpful as you make your gift lists this year. Read More

by Cara McLauchlan

School is almost over and it's making me a little weepy.

Sad not for the reasons you might think though. I get nostalgic this time of year because the truth is real: my child is growing up. In my head, I start to count how many summers left until college and then it's Kleenex city. Read More

by Anonymous

It’s a conversation most parents have had a hundred times. You are at the playground and you start chatting with another parent, inevitably exchanging the basic facts about your kids- names, ages, siblings, and interests. I’m a mostly stay-at-home mom, so these little conversations were sometimes my only adult interactions in the course of a day. So, you can imagine my surprise when my daughter turned five in October and the mommy chitchat I used to happily partake in took an unexpected, and often ugly, turn. Read More

By Jennifer Aceves, Director of Communications, M.Ed Special Education, Noble Academy

Homework Strategies for Students, including tips for those with with AD/HD

by Kristen Bagwell

A big thank you to Tutor Doctor for sponsoring our latest giveaway! Tutor Doctor is offering five free sessions (a $250 value!) to one lucky TMOM reader, free of charge! In case you had not heard, Tutor Doctor is a leader in providing one-on-one supplementary education to students and adults through offering in-home tutoring to families. Flexible scheduling options and affordable rates make Tutor Doctor the best choice for your family’s educational needs. Now - let's see who the winner is! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Do you have a school-age child that would benefit from tutoring? Tutor Doctor is offering five free sessions (a $250 value!) to one lucky TMOM reader, free of charge! One tiny catch - you have to be willing to answer 5 easy questions from the TMOM team about your experience so we can blog about it. Easy enough, right? Read More

by Shannon Ford & Kristen Bagwell

Thanks to our helpful readers, we have a preliminary preschool and day care directory! This is a tiny subset of the available facilities in our area, but we only wanted to include preschools and day cares that our readers endorse. With that said - if your favorite spot is not listed here (or even if it is), feel free to recommend it via email or in the comments section below.

You're also welcome to contact us (or the facility itself) one-on-one with questions or comments. We appreciate your input, and know it will be helpful to other moms out there!  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

This is the time of year when students are finally settled into their school routine.  It is also the time where parents have conferences and may find out some problems their child may be facing at school.  Learning difficulties and comprehension issues seem to surface around this time of year.  Many students from Elementary School all the way up to High School can benefit from one-on-one teaching from a tutor.  Bad news is that sometimes private tutors are difficult to find.  Read More

By Guest Blogger Latasha Denay Myers

When you think of summer break, you automatically think of swimming pools, family vacations, lots of sunshine, cook-outs, and NO SCHOOL. Many children take full advantage of the “school free” days that summer has to offer by spending little to no time on educational enrichment. Countless school teachers will tell you that the first few weeks of school are used to review skill sets that were learned the previous school year because children are not prepared to resume learning at the next level. Read More

By Guest Blogger Susan Stephens, Teacher at Knollwood Baptist Church Preschool

This past week, we have focused on Back-to-School posts for our Elementary and Middle School Children. Preschools in the Triad will be in full swing by next week, so if you have a little one who is gearing up for the big day, read our blog below from our loyal reader and Preschool teacher, Susan Stephens.

Well...it's that time of year again!! It doesn't matter if this is your first child to go to preschool or your third child, going to preschool can be both exciting and tearful all at the same time.

Read below to find some helpful tips for you and your preschooler as the start of the year gets closer: Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

For parents with children of all ages, this is a tough decision. Some parents feel that when they don’t help their child, they are not involved enough in their schoolwork. Others feel that if they help too much, they are not teaching their child how to be responsible. I have asked teachers from all different grade levels to please give us advice on how to handle homework with our children. These are just a few opinions from teachers that I highly respect. Most importantly, please remember that any decision such as this one should be based on the individual child. You know your children best and you also know what may hinder or help them. Read the advice below and use what you can! Thanks so much to all these wonderful teachers for taking time to give us their “two cents”! Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger

It was only one year ago that I swore I would never put my child on a school bus. Then came the sale of our house and the purchase of a new one. And with the new house came a great school zone, the convenience of a bus stop steps from our home, the freedom from early morning drives (and pick-ups during my son’s nap time), and one very excited little Kindergartner. So, I caved. And I have to admit, it’s been a really nice perk to have what is practically a door-to-door service at my disposal for free.  Read More

By Guest Blogger, Rachel Hoeing


Over the past few years, I have found the computer to be a wonderful tool in helping my children learn and develop many new skills. It is amazing how quickly they “catch on” to games. Many websites are so kid friendly, that once you log on and get your child started, even the youngest child can navigate through the website alone and play numerous games on their own. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing and Allison Tobey


Although children usually do not want more work after surviving a long day at school, completing homework, and playing sports, we have some tried and true after-school activities that will help boost brain power without the kids even knowing it! These are also great ideas on how to keep your child’s brain active on snow days, long car rides, or rainy Saturday or Sunday afternoons. These have all been child tested and mother approved in our houses! We have a variety of ideas for toddlers and up. Read below for ideas to keep brains active for children of all ages without them even knowing that they are … shhhhh … learning! Read More

Guest Blogger, Kelly Gunzenhauser

My older son has started kindergarten. It’s been a big change from cozy preschool. I feel a little lost, and my son has done the big-kid-clam-up. He won’t tell me what happens at school! Lots of kids do this. They just lived it; they do not want to talk about it again. Sheesh, Mom, give it a rest. But I am just so darn curious. OK, nosy. Here’s how I tried to find out what really happened. Read More