Parents Spend More On Back-to-School Shopping Than the Holidays, According to Study

by Shahrzad WarkentinAugust 20, 2019

Back-to-school season is in full swing which means tons of shopping for clothing and supplies. How much will you spend?

According to a new survey conducted by thredUP, the online fashion resale marketplace, 62 percent of parents said they spend more on their kids during the back-to-school season than they do during the holidays––including Black Friday, or even birthday presents! The survey, which included hundreds of parents across the country, also found that, on average, parents say they buy 19 items per child and spend $24 per item for a total of $866 spent by an average family.

photo: threadUP

Parents said that saving money was the most important factor when shopping for back-to-school, followed by “quality”, “convenience” and “eco impact.” Fifty-three percent said they have not historically made eco-conscious shopping decisions for back-to-school, but 71 percent now think it’s important.

Shopping secondhand can not only save families money, but it can also have a positive impact on the environment. According to thredUP, if every family bought just one used item we could save 5.7 billion pounds of CO2 emissions and 449M pounds of waste.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Element5 Digital via Unsplash

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What’s the Right Age to Have a Kid? New Study May Have Answers

by Erica LoopAugust 2, 2019

New research, published in the journal Child Development, may have found a connection between parental age and child behavior.

The study, which included nearly 33,000 Dutch children between 10 and 12-years-old, explored the impact the parents’ ages had on how children externalize (outward behavior) and internalize problems (anxiety, depression and other mental health issues). So what did the researchers find?

photo: Singkham via Pexels

While the results aren’t overwhelming, older parents in the group tended to report less externalized behavioral problems. But it’s important to note, according to the study, “In teacher‐reports, this relation was largely explained by parental socio‐economic status.” This could indicate older parents have children who are in some way better equipped to handle problems/better behaved. But it could also mean older parents feel their children are better behaved than younger ones.

When it comes to internalized behavior, the researchers found no association with parental age. Study author and post-doctoral researcher at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Marielle Zondervan-Zwijnenburg, told WebMD, “Older parents-to-be may be reassured that their age is not necessarily a negative factor with respect to behavioral problems in their child.”

Zondervan-Zwijnenburg added, “We believe that older parents are more often able to create favorable environments for their children. Older parents may be more sensitive to the child’s needs and provide more structure.”

Does this mean older is where it’s at when it comes to parenting? Not necessarily. While the study does show some association between older parents and externalized behavior, it certainly doesn’t count out the positive impact parents of any age can have on their kiddos!

—Erica Loop

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You Can Renew Your Passport In 24 Hours at FedEx, But It Will Cost You

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 10, 2019

Last minute vacation plans? It can be tempting to book that European getaway or cruise to the Bahamas when a last second deal pops up, but what about securing a passport? Now thanks to a FedEx passport service you can get your passport in just one day.

FedEx has partnered with RushMyPassport to offer an expedited passport service. At any of FedEx’s 2,000 locations nationwide or online you can update passport photos, rush new passports or renewals, get children’s’ passports and replace lost, stolen or damaged passport all in just 24 hours. Meanwhile to process a new passport or passport renewal through the standard process can take six to eight weeks.

photo: 27707 via Pixabay

Of course you’ll pay extra for bypassing that wait time. FedEx charges $449 to process the passport in 24 hours. In addition, you’ll need to pay for rushed shipping, which could cost as much as $180, and the $170 federal government fee. Altogether you’re looking at nearly $800 for the whole thing, but if you’re in a bind, it could be worth it.

“Routine passport processing can take weeks, which can mean the difference between enjoying that dream vacation you’ve spent months planning or canceling it,” Mosie Miller, CEO of RushMyPassport, said in a statement. “You also have to factor in the possibility of issues with documents you finally receive in the mail, causing further delays and even more headaches. The combined service offering of RushMyPassport and FedEx Office helps travelers overcome these issues, giving a smooth and secure way to handle passport needs.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

These 5 New Oreo Flavors Will Make Your Summer So Tasty

by Erica LoopMay 30, 2019

Oreo is no slouch when it comes to the yum-factor. With flavors that range from the sort of savory Pumpkin Spice to the downright decadent Birthday Cake, the iconic cream-filled cookie just gets better and better.

Dessert enthusiasts rejoice—because Oreo recently announced the roll-out of five new flavors. Starting this week, with the new S’mores flavor, you can expect all kinds of sandwich-cookie snacking goodness to come your way.

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Following the May release of the campfire fave-turned Oreo flavor, the brand will debut a coffee-themed pick. The Oreo Thins Latte will make its way to grocery store shelves this June.

Along with the java joyfulness of the latte-inspired pick, Oreo will also release its Marshmallow Moon cookie in June. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landing, the limited-edition treats will come with moon-themed designs stamped onto the cookies and an out of this world glow-in-the-dark package.

As mid-summer strikes, and the July mercury rises, Oreo will partner with ice cream icon Baskin Robbins on an ice cream-esque cookie—the Mint Chocolate Chip Oreo. You’ll have to wait until late August for the last of the five new flavors. With fall on the horizon, Oreo’s autumn-ish Maple Creme cookie will hit retailers!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Stock Snap via Pixabay

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This School District Adopted a Four-Day School Week, but Does It Work?

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 30, 2019

Three-day weekends are a usually a rarity but in one school district, they’re a permanent thing. As part of the largest school district in the United States, 27J Schools in Adams County, Colorado made the change to a four-day school schedule during the 2018-19 school year, to mixed reviews.

With the big change nearing the end of its first year, teachers, students and parents are reflecting back to determine if the experiment was a success. Did it work? The answers are showing a pretty big divide.

Should students only have a four day school week? School districts across the country think so. Weigh in here: https://t.co/4TmZYZ2ZpO pic.twitter.com/sEdusEPMpj

— KARE 11 (@kare11) January 21, 2019

With 28 schools and about 18,000 students, 27J Schools in Adams County, Colorado had a lot of adjustment. Within the revised schedule, Mondays became part of the weekend by extending elementary school days by 40 minutes, while middle and high school schedules changed to longer eight-hour days.

The new schedule, which is set to continue for at least two more years, has seen an increase in promising teacher applicants and lower staff turnover. While teachers and students are loving the new schedule, parents are not is thrilled, as NBC News reports.

“I don’t like it one bit, and I feel like the district didn’t take seriously my worries about child care,” single mom of three Jessica Lore told NBC News. To help working parents, the district expanded its existing offerings to include an all-day daycare option on Monday for $30 per day as well as enlisting a Boys & Girls Club to provide all-day care for $20.

The real test will be when state testing results are revealed in the fall to determine the most important factor in this major change: the students’ academic success. We’ll be sure to fill you in on those results when they’re in!

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Pixabay via Pexels

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When Will the All-New “Blue’s Clues” Debut on Nickelodeon?

by Erica LoopMay 29, 2019

Decades after its 1996 debut, Blue’s Clues is back with a new name and a new host! Forget about the nostalgia factor, Blue’s Clues and You will entertain and educate your littles in a totally new way.

So what can your preschooler expect from Nickelodeon’s new show? In a world of so-so reboots, Blue’s newest adventures stand out with new CG-animation and so much more.

Along with the new name, Blue’s Clues and You comes with a host who (according to the show’s backstory) is former faves Steve and Joe’s cousin. Josh, who is played by Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz, brings the world of the playful pup to an entirely new audience.

Even though the look, the host, the name and the animation are different, fans of the Nick staple may notice some similarities between the various versions of Blue’s Clues. Look for beloved characters such as Tickety Tock, Slippery Soap, Shovel, Pail, Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper, Cinnamon, Paprika, Magenta, Sidetable Drawer, Mailbox and the original Thinking Chair. Your preschooler will also meet an updated Handy Dandy Notebook and Josh’s new Handy Dandy Guitar.

Blue’s Clues and You debuts on Nick Jr. next November!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Nick Jr. via YouTube

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Stein Mart Makes Amazon Ordering Easy with Hub Lockers

by Erica LoopMay 24, 2019

Another brick and mortar retailer is getting in on the Amazon action. Stein Mart recently announced the addition of Amazon Hub Lockers to nearly 200 of the company’s stores starting in early June.

The lockers, which you may have already seen in Whole Foods Markets, make getting your deliveries and making returns super-simple. Instead of waiting at home for your package to arrive or constantly scanning your doorbell video camera feed, now you have the option to ship your Amazon order straight to Stein Mart.

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The self-serve kiosks also offer a safe (and totally convenient) way to return orders as well. Just pop your unwanted items into the locker and Amazon does the rest.

Hunt Hawkins, Stein Mart’s chief executive officer said, in a press release, “We are thrilled to offer this innovative delivery experience to Amazon customers while introducing new shoppers to Stein Mart.” Hawkins also added, “Customer service and convenience are top priorities at Stein Mart, and the ability to give both to Amazon customers was a big factor in our decision to introduce this program.”

So how do you use Stein Mart’s Amazon Hub Lockers? Just select your local Locker during checkout instead of your home shipping address. You’ll get a barcode-containing email when your order is at the store. Use the barcode at the Locker to pick up your package.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of Whole Foods Market/Georg Beyer

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This Is How Family Vacations Differ for Millennials, According to Vrbo

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 18, 2019

From camping under the stars to exploring Disney World, the ideal family vacation is different for everyone, but age plays a major factor in choosing dream destination according to a new travel report from Vrbo.

Vacation rental site Vrbo has just released a new report “Age isn’t just a number. It reveals how you travel.” based on its U.S. travel survey. The survey found that when it comes to decisions about travel things vary a great deal between generations. When it comes to the reason for traveling, for example, 45 percent of Millennials said they travel purely for exploration, while 20 percent of Gen Xers (35 to 54-year-olds) said travel was generally in honor of a special milestone, like a birthday or anniversary.

photo: Marc Richards via Pexels

The survey also revealed that Millennials were the most likely to go into debt in order to travel versus Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. There are some things that all generations have in common, however.

The majority of respondents, regardless of age, agreed that their dream destination was Australia. Certain amenities are also universal apparently, with 75 percent of respondents refusing to unplug for vacation and requiring that accommodations include WiFi access. The majority of Americans were also united in the desire to travel with friends and family, with 52 percent of respondents planning a family vacation this year. All participants rated relaxation as their primary reason for travel, “indicating a healthy desire to disconnect from the stress of our daily lives and reconnect with family and friends while away.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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The Surprising Way Amazon Is Making Deliveries More Secure

by Erica LoopApril 25, 2019

Amazon wants to stop those pesky porch package thieves in their tracks. Earlier this year the online mega-retailer announced Amazon Key for Garage—a genius idea that allows Prime members to get their goods delivered straight to their garage. And finally, the wait is over.

Amazon Key for Garage debuted earlier this week, giving Prime members a safe, secure delivery option. So how does this “key” work? Just link your Amazon on myQ-connected garage door opener accounts and you’re on your way!

Photo: Courtesy of Business Wire

Prime members who don’t already have a myQ-connected garage door opener can buy one of two Key Smart Garage Kits—either the myQ Smart Garage Hub or the myQ-connected Chamberlain or LiftMaster Wi-Fi garage door opener. As if having your package delivered into the safety of your garage isn’t enough of a security feature, you can add an extra layer of protection with an Amazon Cloud Key. This allows you to livestream all garage entries, upping the comfort factor.

Act now to get a discount on the tech you need to make garage delivery happen. The myQ Smart Garage Hub is on sale for $49.99 (a 37.5 percent discount) and the Amazon Cloud Cam (Key Edition) is $124.99 (also a 37.5 percent discount) for a limited time.

—Erica Loop

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The FDA Is Making These Important Changes to Its Mammogram Guidelines

by Shahrzad WarkentinApril 21, 2019

For the first time in two decades The Food and Drug Administration has just proposed new mammogram guidelines and all women should be aware of the new recommendations.

Mammograms aren’t exactly something women look forward to, but they are important and necessary to protecting your health. However, the FDA believes that one important factor in breast cancer screenings hasn’t received enough attention until now. Based on research by the the National Cancer Institute, breast density can a be a major factor in developing breast cancer, but only 36 percent of women surveyed by Hologic, Inc. say they have ever discussed the term with their doctors.

Breast density and the proposal of updated mammography regulationshttps://t.co/J8JWW5yfBT

— Ubt Srl (@UBTsrl) April 11, 2019

For the uninitiated, breast density refers to the amount amount of glandular tissue and connective tissue in relation to the amount of fatty breast tissue. The higher the amount of glandular tissue and connective tissue the denser breasts are.

The FDA’s new guidelines propose a standard density assessment to be included in mammogram summary letters and patient records. It would also establish nationwide density categories, which right now vary from state to state.

No word yet on when these new mammogram guidelines will go into effect, but in the mean time women can and should bring up the subject of breast density with doctors at their annual exams.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: DarkoStojanovic via Pixabay

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