Since joining the staff of Education.com as an editorial assistant and staff writer, I’ve found out a lot about the wide world of education in this country. I’ve written about what kids are and aren’t learning in Sex Ed class, whether standardized testing is hurting our students, and the debate over extending the school day. (To be fair, I’ve also extolled the virtues of roller coasters and outlined how to throw a medieval birthday party: the stuff of journalistic dreams). But in my most recent article, I found something out that I would never, ever have guessed: remember how misbehaving children used to get paddled by school administrators, oh, mid-century or so? It’s still legal in over twenty states.

Yep, that’s right. Somewhere in our great nation an assistant principal is rolling up his sleeves and preparing to take aim at some child’s rear end with a wooden paddle or the deceptively soft palm of his bare hand. Does the image surprise you, disgust you, or give you the vague satisfaction of knowing that justice is being done? (more…)

My name is Kat and I’m charged with community management here at Education.com. A fabulous part time job that gives me some time away from my little darlings while doing something that I think will make a real difference in the world. Most mornings I get to work a few minutes late, slightly frazzled, craving coffee, and sputtering to whoever will listen about my latest adventure as a mom of two boys who are faster and funnier than I am. Yesterday my boss “asked” if I’d share some of these adventures with Education.com visitors. So here goes…

Last week I received my son’s 1st grade supply list in the mail. I stuck it in my bag without much thought. A few days later we were off to Target. With a full two and a half weeks to go before first day festivities, I felt like the most ahead-of-the-game-mom on the planet.
As I pulled the list out of my bag it magically transformed from a regular sheet of paper to Santa’s scroll. Twenty-four items! I took a deep breath and headed toward the giant “Back To School” sign in the back corner of the store. The scene when we arrived looked like something out of Spain’s annual running of the bulls. Total chaos….hundreds of moms, each with her own Santa scroll, elbows flying, kids crying….yikes. (more…)

I never thought I’d be one of those parents-to-be. You know the kind. They listen to the right music, read the right books, eat the right foods, do everything right while their bundle of joy is still in the womb awaiting his/her arrival in the world. But alas, I am. And you know what? I’m ok with it. I consider it a rite of passage into parenthood. We have to go from self absorbed to child absorbed at some point, right? May as well be while I am picking out yet another pack of onesies. Somewhere along this 9 month journey it became ok to push the Jimmy Choo boxes to the back of the closet. 

However, I’ve learned another valuable lesson. The importance of sharing with other parents. Now that I have become one of them,  I find online communities and resources for parents are making it easier for me to have those personal conversations that parents have. I was already aware of the deeply personal connections parents make online with other parents before I started on the journey to parenthood. But now experiencing it first hand, I find it truly remarkable to be able to connect with another parent on any given topic, at any time of day, ranging from child development concerns to first day of school jitters . Now instead of just promoting the learn, share, connect benefits of online destinations, I am up to my eyes in it as an actual community member and I have to say, without the millions of parents online, I’d be lost.  

I’m 35 weeks pregnant and counting, but on a daily basis, Education.com helps add a wealth of  information to my mental rolodex that I am sure I will need to be armed with as I make the transition from pregnant to new parent to ferociously protective mother hen. I look forward to sharing great information, tips, and stories from Education.com with you, while also giving kudos and link love to all those supportive parents in the blogosphere that are making it possible to ask the questions and have the conversations that parents have.