Tweets of the Week

August really isn’t the hottest month; that one (July), thankfully, is past. The final month of summer is a good time to take a day trip, get some perspective on the brains and behavior of toddlers and teens, plan for those school lunches coming up and consider some really effective ways to motivate your children when school starts.

12 of the Easiest Summer Day Trips Ever!

Need a break from the endless, end-of-summer days at home, but you dread all the planning, packing and driving? “Sometimes, so much goes into getting away, that you’re just too tired to enjoy it,” says Red Tricyle, and they’ve compiled a list of D.C.-area trips that will help you “maximize the fun without all of the headaches.”

Don’t Take it Personally: Your Child’s Emotions Aren’t Always a Reflection of Your Parenting

“He throws his toddler body against the floor in rage and despair. He’s inconsolable, and my attempts to comfort go unheeded. I feel vaguely responsible, inadequate. What could I have done to prevent this?” This perennial post by Selena Hoffman at mothering is worth a read any time you want a thoughtful reminder about the difference between caring for the little people you love and being responsible for their emotions.

The Teenage Brain: What Parents Need to Know

By the time your kids are middle-school age, you’ll start to see profound changes in their bodies and behavior. For some surprising parenting tips, read Grown & Flown‘s interview with neurology professor Frances E. Jensen about her new book, The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults.

7 Ideas for 7-Minute School Lunches

Looking for ideas for lunches that are nutritious, quick, kid-tested and kid-packable? These easy menus from Aviva Goldfarb, of The Six O’Clock Scramble, feature protein, fiber, vegetables and fruits, and several include pizza-flavored hummus.

Lazy Kids: What’s Really Going On

In this article at The Huffington Post Canada, Alyson Schafer unpacks the three most common reasons your child doesn’t study for tests, try hard on a team or remember his backpack. Then she tells you some effective things parents can do that might be different from your impulse. If you’ve ever had a PEP core class, you’ll recognize the Adlerian principles Schafer outlines. If you’re wondering how they actually work in real life, check out our fall schedule and choose your class.

Register for any core class by August 31, and you’ll get a 20 percent discount off the class fee. Use the code: EARLYBIRDF15

Compiled by the PEP Blog editor.