Weekend Links: “Playing Hooky From The PTA” and More!

An abundant library at Clairbourn School, Pasadena. Photo: ThePrivateSchoolLady.com

 

Checklist Mommy plays hooky from major PTA volunteer jobs at Temple Israel of Hollywood. (Checklist Mommy)

 

To Redshirt Or Not For Kindergarten? (Abcnews.com)

 

What if your kid doesn’t like soccer or baseball? Here’s a wonderful piece by Betsy Brown Braun about really getting to know your kid. In her piece, a 5th grader defied the sports trend and plays the bagpipes! (Betsy Brown Braun)

 

Here’s a really good overview of popular social media sites for kids. I’m a big user of social media…Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, You Tube, Vine…but, I don’t think anything good can come from kids asking anonymous questions on some of these sites. (What Is Privacy)

 

I adore this kid’s book by Garcelle Beauvais. Here’s my review of I Am Mixed (Momangeles)

 

Private kindergartens are cropping up in China–and, the competition for students is turning deadly. (L.A. Times)

 

Check out this amazing piece on bizarre buildings your kids will love to see, like The Dog House, The Happy House and one with gigantic bright green octopus tentacles coming out of it. (Timbuktu)

 

(Top photo credit: www.theprivateschoollady.com)

 

Have a great weekend! -Christina

Style Profile: Sarah Kate Levy, Temple Israel Mom, Writer of of “ChecklistMommy”

Sarah Kate Levy, mom of 4 at Temple Israel and writer of ChecklistMommy.com. Jeans: J. Crew Matchstick, Shoes: Vince Camuto. Photo: Greer Inez

 

Editor’s Note: I’ve gotten to know Sarah Kate Levy in person through our blogger group. She’s a smart, petite, adorable, funny, inspiring mom of 4 kids who has a ton of energy, and is super-organized (hence her popular blog Checklist Mommy). She also just co-founded Momcierge, a fantastic service for expectant moms who need help getting organized and ready for their baby.Here’s Sarah Kate’s style profile and make sure to check out her blog!- Christina

 

My kids go to Temple Israel of Hollywood (TIOH), which we initially chose because it is all of 11 minutes from our house and because I liked the idea of a progressive Jewish education as a hedge against our kids becoming vapid, entitled jerks in a city that – and I can say this because I love this town – is full of them.

 

TIOH, I am thrilled to say, is not. The community is warm and creative and incredibly down-to-earth, and the Mom-style there reflects that. It’s a pretty basic East Side vibe.

 

Most days of the week, the parking lot is rocking an even mix of:

  • Pajamas
  • Yoga pants
  • Gap
  • J Crew
  • Goodwill
  • Vintage / punk-y
  • Designer accents (no one I’ve seen there is ever head-to-toe)

 

I have moved through the whole gamut over the last four years, and no one has batted an eye. No one ever comments when some Mom shows up with an overcoat over her nightgown, because most of us have been there.

 

But everyone goes nutso crazy when one of us shows up in a clean drape-y blouse over clean jeans, or throws some lipstick on. I know this because when I bother to make an effort, which I’m doing more lately because I’m working more, I get so much love at drop-off I feel like the hottest Mom on earth.

ChecklistMommy's Spring 2013 Uniform

ChecklistMommy’s Spring 2013 Uniform by Sarah Kate Levy on Polyvore

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For more information, visit Temple Israel of Hollywood