The Mom Memo
The Mom Memo No. 26: Happy Independence Day!
As the Fourth of July approaches and we can see a new school year on the horizon (#thatwasfast), we’re thinking a lot about independence, specifically how we can help our kids prep for going back to class.
Hey Mama
As the Fourth of July approaches and we can see a new school year on the horizon (#thatwasfast), we’re thinking a lot about independence, specifically how we can help our kids prep for going back to class. COVID put a huge dent in learning over the last few years, with math and reading levels at an all-time low across the country. We’ve got some tips for you AND your kids to start school on the right foot this year.
Quick note, we’ll be running around our yards with sparklers and fruity cocktails for the holiday, so we’re going to take a week off from The Mom Memo – Happy Fourth of July!
Hot Topics
Hey Mama, looking for a local connection? Check out our location-specific groups online and make a date IRL-style with someone from your neck of the woods. Special shout-out to Des Moines – if you’re in the Grimes area, we heard there’s a new playgroup starting up.
Mom2Mom
3 Things You Can Do Now to Get Ready for Back to School
- Mark your calendar
School calendars for the upcoming year have probably been set in stone for a while now. Don’t put off putting important back to school dates in your planner, like “Back to School night” or “Meet the Teacher” – whether that’s your phone, a fancy leather-bound agenda book, or even a pack of old post-it notes you keep in the kitchen drawer. - Tackle childcare
You may have already had to sign up for official before or after school care, but even if you just need to talk about a plan for who will be home in your house to watch the kids during those times, start that convo sooner rather than later. Collaborate with neighbors or other moms if possible and start a rotating share-the-care schedule. - Don’t procrastinate
If you live in the land of “I’ll do that later” (we’re full-time residents btw) push past your procrastination proclivities for one day and schedule all your to-do’s. You’ll thank us later. Things like:
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- School haircuts
- School shopping trip (for clothes and supplies)
- Sports and annual physicals
- Any additional school registrations
3 Ways to Help Your Kid Get Ready for Back to School
- Talk, talk, and talk some more about expectations
Lead with intent this year and have a conversation about how great this school year will be when you and your child are on the same page. Starting a new school? It’s especially important. Talk about how you can BOTH improve and work together to make the academic year smoother. - Transition into school year mode earlier
This is always easier said than done, we know, but having a countdown to school during which you go to bed and wake up earlier can do wonders for that first morning when the rubber really meets the road. - Keep your kids involved
Start building independence and responsibility as early as you can by including your kid in your back to school prep. Is it easier to just run out and grab everything on the back-to-school supply list yourself during your lunch hour? Abso-freakin-lutely. But in the long term, dragging your kid along to help pick up the perfect pencils will help them feel more invested in their academics.
Kid Joke of the Week
Who says Dads should get all the jokes? Each week we’ll share a fun, clean kid joke that ANY parent can tell!
Q: Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
A: Right at the bottom of the page.
Mom vs. Kid Reviews
Our latest shopping recommendations are kid-tested, mother approved – literally. Get the inside scoop on different brands (and different price points) of a particular product to find out what Mom thought of the quality, price, and ease of use versus what her kid thought. Each product has been taken out for a test drive so we can deliver the truth on what we loved and what we thought was just “meh.”
This week’s picks: SWIMMING GOGGLES A GOGO
Mom Jeans & Things
Mom Jeans & Things are product and service recommendations for you and your family that you’ll really use and love – because we have!
Need some last minute ideas on how to make your 4th of July shine? We’ve got you covered.
Partnership
Like our inner circle of mom besties, we’re partnering with companies offering products and services we know you’ll love. These are special deals and exclusive benefits for TMS members, so if you haven’t joined, here’s a great reason to get on that. As we develop these relationships, we’ll spotlight our new partners and give you the deets on how to make these rewards work for you! We’re adding new partners all the time, so keep checking our current offers to stay in the loop. (Know a potential partner we should get to know, too? Introduce us on our Partnership page.)
EXCLUSIVE TMS DEAL: WEWASH LAUNDRY CO.
“I can’t wait to do laundry,” said no mom ever, and WeWash fully embraces that motto. WeWash Laundry Co. is the Des Moines area’s first completely customizable, full-service laundry concierge with complimentary pick-up & delivery. TMS members get $15 dollars off their first service with the code: THEMOMSSOCIETY.
Explore the City
TAKE THE KIDS
80/35 Kids Zone
July 7-8 | 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Science Center of Iowa is bringing its Star Parties to the Kid’s Zone! Have fun while exploring the universe with hands on and minds on learning. Plus, kids 11 and under get in FREE with paying adults for both general admission or VIP tickets.
Exclusive TMS Promo: Win 2 VIP Tickets to the 80/35 Kids Zone!!
We’re giving away 2 Two Day VIP tickets to a lucky subscriber of The Mom Memo. Anyone who is subscribed before 11:59pm on Sunday July 2 and lives in the Des Moines local area is eligible. Our random drawing will be held on Monday, July 3. We’ll contact the winner and announce it on our social channels that day. You have to be a subscriber to win – so share this link to sign up with your friends, relatives, mom squad, manicurist, boxing sparring partner…you get the idea…
Read more General Admission vs VIP experiences.
Kids Art Classes @ Ankeny Art Center
July 11 – July 21 | 1520 SW Ordnance Rd, Ankeny, IA, 50023
Make it an artsy summer. Taught by experienced and certified teachers in various mediums ranging from basic drawing to ceramics, these classes are conveniently arranged online by age group. Register today to start shaping your little Picasso.
Jazz in July 2023: Night 1
July 11, 5:15pm | 1501 Woodland Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and some fingers to snap to better enjoy some cool jazz on a warm summer night. Attendees will be able to purchase food as well as beverages provided by the venue on site. Events will go on, rain or shine.
Northside Mercantile Market
July 9, 12pm | Highland Park Historic Business District at Euclid and Sixth Avenues
Support and celebrate local makers at this communal event! Shop local vendors, check out live music and food, and enjoy a casual stroll down 6th Street from Euclid to Douglas!
Des Moines Symphony Summer Series
Starts July 3 | 1011 Locust Street, Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50309
Enjoy concerts and musical events across genres during the summer season of the Des Moines Symphony.
Start by kicking off your Fourth of July celebration with the 29th annual Yankee Doodle Pops, Iowa’s largest single-day concert event! This family-friendly, patriotic concert at the Iowa State Capital concludes with the area’s premier fireworks display over the downtown Des Moines skyline, and best of all, it’s free.
GET A SITTER
The Moms Society DSM Botox Party
New Date: August 28! | Studio 629
Get together with The Moms Society members for connections, conversations, and Botox to smooth out all those new lines you got from dealing with your kids all summer. Register and hold your spot with a $50 deposit.
First Fridays at Main Frame (Latin Themed)
July 8, 5pm | 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love to celebrate different cultures with art, music, but mostly FOOD. Mainframe’s First Friday Open Studio Events are free and open to the public. Experience the extensive variety of artistic talent, local culture and forms of creative expression that exists in our community.
King Trivia at Uptown Garage
June 28 6pm | 305 SW Walnut St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Anyone notice that the more drinks you have, the better you get at trivia or is it just us? Test your general knowledge trivia and enjoy happy hour all night long (kinda like our 2 favorite things).
The Art of Candle Making at Rose Farm
July 12, 5:30pm | 7197 43rd Ave Norwalk, Iowa 50211
Why pay an exorbitant amount of money for a high-end gift shop candle when you can learn how to make your own? During this two-hour workshoppe, you will choose your own fragrances + make three (7 oz.) candles. Learn about the science + creativity that goes into producing every candle.
FREE Outdoor Yoga with YogaSix!
June 28, 5pm | Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library 1250 Southwest District Drive Ankeny, IA 50023
What’s even more relaxing than a yoga session? A FREE yoga session. Immerse yourself in the serenity of nature as you’re guided through a blissful yoga experience, completely free of charge. Just reading that makes us go ommmmmmmmmmm…..
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