http://parenting.thestateonline.com Where Midlands families can connect, learn and have fun while parenting. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:48:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Video Tour: Forts Pond Elementary Forts Pond Elementary, a new school in Pelion, prepares to open for the fall. See the school's features in this video tour. ----- Video Tour: New Providence Elementary New Providence Elementary, a new school in Lexington, prepares to open for the fall. See the school's features in this video ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/794 The lunches in today’s schools are a far cry from what many of today’s adults experienced growing up. Do you remember rectangular pizza? Mystery meats? Share your memories about school lunch in the comments section. By JOY L. WOODSON | jwoodson@thestate.com School cafeterias have long had an image problem — slow lines, ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/792 Brace yourselves, moms and dads. If you have kids in elementary school, the deluge of fall-leaf collages and tissue-paper wreaths is about to hit. It's an onslaught that has buried many a refrigerator, not to mention dining room tables, kitchen counters and whole family rooms. Before you rent off-site storage to ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/784 Celia Rivenbark is a freelance columnist in Wilmington, N.C. She is the author of "Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like A Skank." Contact her at celiarivenbark.com. We were doing our back-to-school shopping for tennis shoes when I spotted a store clerk leaning against a rack. "Excuse me. Could you help us?" ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/788 Armin Brott (mrdad.com) is the author of six books on fatherhood and host of "Positive Parenting" a weekly radio which airs in a number of markets. Dear Mr. Dad: My 15-year-old wants to take a part-time job at a local fast food place. Actually, I'm not so sure he wants the ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/787 Jann Blackstone-Ford and her husband's ex-wife, Sharyl Jupe, authors of "Ex-Etiquette for Parents," are the founders of Bonus Families (bonusfamilies.com). QUESTION: The woman I've been dating for several months allows her ex-husband into her home at least once a week to visit their 7-year-old son. Their divorce was final last year, ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/786 Photographer Tim Dominick visited Patricia Wilson's kindergarten class at Pine Grove Elementary in Richland 1. Click here to view the photos.Share This http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/795 Nancy Davis is a copy editor in the features department at The State newspaper. She has three young daughters. Our weekly Help Nancy question gives you a chance to offer your advice to her and other parents facing similar issues. We’ll publish selected comments in Tuesday’s Life&Style section. This week’s ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/783 Does your child have a favorite lunch box treat? Share your ideas for nutritious brown bag fare. Comment below.  Not that there’s anything wrong with the classic sandwich-fruit-dessert combo, but active kids need nutrition-packed food to get them through busy school days. But even for parents with the best of intentions, the daily ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/774 By DEBORAH GEERING | Cox News Service If you think you've tried every possible version of PB&J, think again. The peanut butter can be crunchy or creamy, organic or conventional, unsalted or honey-sweetened or reduced-fat or all-natural. The jelly can be the classic Concord grape, or any kind of preserves or all-fruit spread ... http://parenting.thestateonline.com/index.php/archives/781