The Best Back To School Item & Giveaway

Time to start back to school shopping

         I received a planner from https://orderoochaos.com/ to facilitate this post.

 Summer always goes by too fast for my family. Maybe it is because we are having so much fun. This summer my boys went to summer camp and then we took an Amtrak train ride to see grandma. My family had a great time on the train and these seven tips for taking the Amtrak really made a difference. I took a solo trip to an awesome fitness conference in California and it super-charged my fitness routine. My middle son came home from the Merchant Marine Academy for a summer break and my oldest son graduated college. My daughter and her husband bought their first house and we helped them move in. Then my boys went camping with their dad. My oldest son got two job opportunities and started a job as a diesel mechanic. It was hard sending my middle son back to the academy as he will not be home again until next spring as he will be on a ship for several months. So much exciting things have happened this summer but the boys need to get back to school as they are bored. The youngest boys are growing up way too fast, it is hard to believe that three years have past when I wrote this Back to School Money Saving Shopping Tips post. My youngest was so little back then, somebody please pass the tissues! Keep reading to discover an awesome giveaway to win $1000+ in prizes!

 Must have back to school planner

  My youngest will both be in middle school this year. So that means more homework and having to be more organized. Their old school used to give them a daily planner but the new school that they are attending does not provide an academic planner. So I made to get them an academic calendar so they can keep track of all their assignments. I got my boys the Best academic planner for students that I could find. I want my boys to succeed in school and I know that a planner from https://orderoochaos.com/will help them.

  Are my children smart because of genetics?

Find out here Helping Your Child Succeed In School 

Giving Students An Easy Way to SEE Time So They Can Learn to MANAGE It. 

 The school planner that I selected for my boys came with plenty of free tools and is the perfect size for their new backpacks. This useful planner has more than just a calendar, it has places for the boys to write down assignments and daily to-do lists. My boys love all the stickers and the ruler that attaches to the planner. There are even pockets so they can place important papers in them. I know that the planner for school will help my boys keep track of time. I love the companies tagline "You Have to Be Able to SEE Time in Order to Learn How to Manage it.” 

These planners are not cluttered or busy. No filler or fluff. No word of the day. They do what they say they do. Plan time.

   Another item that I always purchase to help my boys with an organization with school work is different colored pens. I know that color-coding items in my planner for bloggers have helped with me with making money with blogging. I know leading by example is one of the best ways to teach kids and if I have good time management skills then my kids will learn how to manage their time. An academic planner that is designed by students for students is always the best planner for my middle school boys. So if you are thinking "How do I teach my child good time management skills?", this planner needs to be on your back to school shopping list.

Leslie Josel, the founder of Order Out of Chaos, is a big deal in the time management and parenting world.  
She’s ranked #15 in the world as a time management expert. She travels the world speaking on topics facing parents and their students today. She is in the process of writing her third book, writes a weekly column called 
Dear Family Coach for ADDitude Magazine (the premier magazine for those with ADHD and LD), and she’s one of 
Family Circle Magazine’s parenting experts and write articles for them as well.  All of this exposure helps to build the Order out of Chaos brand. Trust us when we say people trust Leslie.



Check out this awesome Giveaway sponsored by
Out Of Order Chaos

Enter to win many awesome prizes that include:
 a $200 Target Gift Card
 $100 American Eagle Gift Card
 $50 Zulily Gift Card 
 + MUCH MORE!

Giveaway ends Aug 16th 

Check out more:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orderoutofchaos
Twitter: https://twitter.com/orderoochaos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/order.out.of.chaos/
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$10 Backpacks at Office Depot & Office Max & Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Savings.com. All opinions about the 10¢ notebook back-to-school sale at OfficeDepot.com is 100% my own. 

 The boys are heading back to school in less than two weeks! We have been busy buying all the items that they will need for back to school supplies. The boys picked up their school schedules yesterday along with the school supply list. So now it is time for back to school shopping for clothes, shoes, and backpacks. Keep reading to discover an awesome backpack deal and a great giveaway.

   The boys already selected their school shoes as we found them while shopping for clothes for my older son. Now I have to help them find shoes for sports, school clothes, and a backpack along with all the other basic school supplies. I am glad that Office Max and Office Depot are having a Doorbuster Deal on backpacks and many of their backpacks are only $10! I think that a$10 BACKPACK is an awesome price for a backpack. Office Max and Office Depot are the best places for back to school deals.

 Now that the boys are in middle school choosing the right backpack is a huge thing. It has to be a certain color and be able to hold a computer as the school gives the boys a computer to use in school. My boys are now into solid color backpacks as they think backpacks with designs are for little kids. The backpack has to be comfortable too as they will not have a locker and will have to carry all their books with them. I am glad that the backpack sale at Office Depot and Office Max has many colors to choose from that way the boys can get different colors. This awesome sale is from 7/31/19 – 8/02/19 so hurry to your nearest Office Depot or Office Max store. You can even get all the great sale prices online.

Giveaway


#BTSwithOfficeDepot

$500 Office Depot & Office Max Gift Card Giveaway

• When: Monday, July 22nd at 12:00 AM PT to Friday, August 2nd at 11:59 PM PT.
• Prize: Ten (10) winners will receive a $50 gift card from Office Depot & Office Max.
• How: Enter the giveaway by heading to the Office Depot & Office Max page on Savings.com and submit your email address on the form at the top of the page.

Winners will be chosen through a lottery drawing and notified on Monday (8/5) via the email address you used to enter. See complete Official Rules for entry instructions, full prize descriptions, restrictions, and other important details.

So, enter this awesome giveaway and head to Office Depot for a $10 backpack and some other great savings on back to school items.

Doorbuster Deal: $10 Backpacks at Office Depot & Office Max

• Sale Dates: 7/31/19 – 8/02/19
• While supplies last!

Happy back-to-school shopping!

When do your kids head back to school?

The Best Camp Essentials For Kids

  I received samples from several companies to facilitate this post.

My youngest boys went to overnight camp for the first time this year. They had the opportunity last year to go to church camp but they were not ready as we had recently joined this church and they did not know any of the other kids yet. I think also they were not ready to be so far away from home. My boys went to several day camps in the past but the thought of not knowing anyone and sleeping in a strange place without mom was more than they could handle. So this year I was able to convince the boys they would have a blast at camp and I signed them up. I had no trouble convincing the older of the two boys but the youngest was a different story. My youngest did not like the fact that his older brother was going to the church camp at a separate time. Separation can be hard for some kids but once he found out that his best friend was going all was well. 

What to pack for camp

The church gave my boys a packing list of items that they would need for camp and that list had all the necessary gear that my boys would need but I included some unique camping items that were not on the list. My rule of thumb when packing for kids overnight camp is to not overpack and make sure that they can carry everything that they packed. At most overnight camps the cabins are not near the parking lots so kids are responsible to carry their own items to the cabins. You will not be there to help them lug all their stuff and there are no luggage carts. So make sure that your kid can carry everything that they bring. I like to have my kids pack their camping items in a backpack and a duffle bag. The backpack is great for the items that they will need during the day and the duffle bag is great for their clothes. Since your child will be using the backpack during the day make sure to select one that is unique so, your child can easily identify theirs. Also, make sure the backpack is roomy enough to hold a rain jacket so they are prepared for the weather. 

Unique backpacks for kids

 The backpack that you select also has to be cool looking as kids and that cartoon/superhero backpack may no longer work. A place that I like to shop for unique backpacks for kids is Fenrici. This place has backpacks and lunch bags with kid-friendly designs that appeal to even older kids. So kids no longer have to carry a plain solid color bag that looks the same as all the other bags. Fenrici has bags that appeal to both boys and girls and does not have an overwhelming selection so it will not take them all day to select the perfect backpack. My older son can be quite picky and shopping with him can be an all-day affair so I like when places only have less than 20 items to choose from. The bags that my boys selected from Fenrici had cool designs on them that they liked and the bags were big enough so they could carry a sweatshirt and rain jacket in it. My boys liked that they had a water bottle pouch and comfortable straps. I like that the backpacks had plenty of pockets in them so my boys could easily find what they need. These cool backpacks are available on Amazon and with my coupon code Fenrici15 you can save 15%. Click HERE to check out all the kid-approved backpacks. The code expires 7/15/2019

Thirteen top items to pack for camp
 1. sleeping bag
 2. backpack
 3. clothes like shorts, t-shirts, sweats
 4. PJs
 5. DEET-free bug spray
 6. sunscreen
 7. flashlight and batteries
 8. water bottle
 9. hat
10. bathroom items like toothbrush, toothpaste and soap
11. swimsuit
12. towel
13. tummy drops

Kid friendly upset tummy relief
When kids are away from home they tend to not eat right and they can get an upset stomach. Tummydrops are great for kids to pack in their camping bag. These all-natural lozenges combat nausea and motion sickness and are made with natural plant-based ingredients. The drops are drug-free and delicious so when kids feel sick they can naturally stop an upset stomach. The Tummydrops are made with ingredients like ginger and have a cute look to them so kids don't have to be embarrassed about needing a Tummydrop. My boys loved the taste of these non-drowsy, certified gluten-free, USDA organic, Kosher certified and Non-GMO Verified lozenges. Their favorite flavor was the sweet blackberry ginger. The cool looking tins are easy to carry in their backpack for on-the-go relief of tummy problems. These yummy drops are sold at www.tummydrops.com, Amazon, Walmart.com, and Whole Foods stores. Tummydrops are also great for pregnancy nausea.

The safe bug spray
 Camping and bugs seem to go together and no one likes bug bites. So make sure to pack a safe kid-friendly DEET-free insect repellent in their camping backpack. My boys love wearing BugBand Bands when they are camping in the woods as these bands can be worn on the wrist or ankle for up to 120 hours of protection from bugs like mosquitoes, flies, gnats, no-see-ums (aka biting gnats, midges or sandflies) and fleas. The BugBand is great for kids as they don't have to remember to spray themselves with insect repellant. When my boys go camping with their dad, I always send them off with a bottle of BugBand spray lotion. This lotion is also DEET-free and keeps the bugs from biting without any nasty chemical smell. BugBand also sells DEET-free insect repellant towelettes. The towelettes and sprays offer 2 to 4 hours of protection. These products are available at Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, and in Walmart, Bass Pro and Cabela’s stores, and everywhere else outdoor supplies are sold.

  So whether your kid is heading off to overnight camp or day camp, these unique items are must-haves for kids to take to camp. The backpacks will be great for back to school and the safe bug spray is great for the backyard. I am going to keep a container of the Tummydrops in my purse so I can be prepared for those times when my kid says "mom, my tummy hurts." These flavorful drops are also a must-have for summer road trips. If your travels this summer include taking the train, make sure to check out these posts about my trip that my family took on the train this year. The post has great information on what to pack for the train and how to keep kids entertained.

Seven tips for taking the Amtrak train
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2019/05/seven-tips-for-taking-amtrak-train-with.html

Riding On The Amtrak Train With My Family

https://www.momknowsbest.net/2019/06/riding-on-amtrak-train-with-my-family.html


What items would you add to the camping list?

The Smarty Solution For A Clear Backpack

 It seems that more schools are enforcing students to use a clear backpack. The schools feel that a clear backpack may be the answer to keep kids safe from all the gun violence. Even events that attract many people are turning to clear backpacks as they feel these clear bags make it easier to see what people are bringing into the event.



Is a clear backpack the answer?

 While it seems that a clear backpack may be the answer to keep kids safe in school, many parents and students are not so sure. Some feel that a clear backpack invades their privacy but at the same time, it does not allow the bad people to hide weapons. Some may even argue that a clear backpack does not allow kids to express themselves. I am in the middle when it comes to buying a clear backpack. I can see the safety issue but I can also see the issue about privacy as all one's items are on display. Then there is the problem of getting backpacks mixed up in school as all the clear backpacks look alike. I am glad that airports do not require a clear backpack as I would not feel safe traveling with all my items on display. I like being able to carry my Anti-Theft, Smartphone Friendly Travel Backpack when I travel through airports.

A Smarty solution for a clear backpack

 One company is understanding these issues and made a clear backpack with different color trims so that kids get some choice if they have to have a clear backpack for school. Smarty makes durable clear backpacks in four different colors in different sizes. I decided to check this bag out so I have a clear bag on hand if I need one for an event that requires a clear bag. This bag might even be a good tactical range backpack. A clear backpack can be used for many things.


The answer to the bag searches

 Many events that are open to the public have bag searches and last year the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta added to their media info that a clear bag was required for all media attendees. Thankfully they did not enforce this rule as I guess they realized people would not have time to buy a clear bag. That information made me realize that events could enforce a clear bag rule if people wanted to carry in items. The ballpark near me does not allow outside food and allows you to bring an unopened storebought bottle of water. I may not like that these places have these rules but I understand the safety issue. So I decided to get a clear backpack so I could be ready for events that require one.

The clear backpack that offers organization

 I like that Smarty added mesh pockets to their clear backpack so I can keep small items organized and in reach. These mesh pockets would be great for my phone, money and charging cords along with pens and chargers. A water bottle pocket is always a must for backpacks as well as comfortable adjustable carry straps. The Smarty clear backpack has all of these features as well as 3X Cross Stitching and a laptop sleeve. SMARTY Transparent Backpacks are the perfect combination of comfort, durability, and style.

Perfect for School Safety, Concerts, Marches, Sporting Events, Festivals, and Work (Airport TSA Security, Correctional Officers, and more)

Seven Tips For Taking The Amtrak Train With Kids

Traveling by train can be enjoyable and can save you money

I received items to review to facilitate this post.

   Most people don't consider the train when traveling with their family. They tend to think of the train as a long boring ride but the train can be preferable to air travel when considering expenses. The train can also be way more enjoyable than traveling by car. Taking the train can save you a good amount of money over flying and costs about the same as traveling by car. Traveling by train could be a lot of fun, as long as you are prepped for the journey ahead.

The thing that I like about taking the train is not having to worry about traffic or weather delays. The train may add some time to your travel time but the perks of the train are so worth it. Some of the perks of the train include being able to walk around the train and not having to be confined to a car wondering when your next bathroom break is. On the train, they have plenty of bathrooms and you can use it on your schedule. If you are usually the driver for those long car trips, you will like being able to take a nap on the train.

Why my family prefers the train
 My mom lives in a small town that is not near a major airport so airfare to visit her as a family can be quite expensive. So in the past, we have traveled by car to see her but have never liked the 14-hour drive that it requires. On the last trip that we took to see her and Dad, we stopped halfway for the night to make the trip more bearable but it was still not a fun trip being stuck in a car with kids. So I decided to compare costs and time to see if the train was a good option for our upcoming trip. I was surprised that the train was able to the same cost, even with us having to rent a car as kids 2-12 ride the train for 50% off. The train only added 4 more hours to our trip and considering that we would be sleeping on the train that was just fine with us.

Tips for traveling by train with your children

1. Buy Discounted Kid Fares
We checked out Amtrak and discovered that they have kid's fares that can save a family a ton of money. Kids under 2 always ride for free on the train and kids 2-12 pay half-price when traveling with an adult (each adult can travel with one kid at half-price). So being that I had two kids and three adults, we saved 50% on two tickets.

Amtrak also offers many other discounts to help your family travel for less:

Group travel: Travel with 20+ friends and family members to receive an additional discount off the normal fare
Active duty US military personnel, their spouses and their dependents: 10% off
Promotions: Amtrak always has deals and promotions throughout the year so you will want to sign up for their emails. It was through an Amtrak email that I discovered a deal to save up to 35% off four tickets and that made our train tickets even more affordable.

How To Earn Reward Points And Travel For Free   

2. Check Bags for Free
Amtrak allows you to check two bags (up to 50 pounds) per person for free. Also, if you are traveling with kids under 2, you can check anything related to the child, such as a stroller, diaper bag, travel bed, etc for free. Those items do not count against your two-check bag limit. Think of Amtrak as the Southwest Airlines of train travel! You can also carry on 2 personal items and 2 small suitcases.

3. Bring Activities to Occupy the Kids
While riding a train is fun in itself and looking outside can keep kids entertained for hours, I also suggest bringing some activities too. I love that the train has pull-down tables so kids can set their items down.

Some recommended train activities include:

Tablets: Similar to an airplane, a tablet can be a great way to pass the time. Amtrak does offer free Wi-Fi on most trains. Make sure to load up the tablet with movies and games. On most trains, almost every single seat has an outlet to keep your electronics charged — and remember to bring headphones so your kids do not disturb other passengers. I really like the Playtime Pad when traveling. This 7” HD Kid Safe Tablet comes preloaded with plenty of educational games, videos, and songs. The tablet is enclosed in a  kid-safe durable silicone case so it is made for traveling. I really love the parental controls on the tablet so I can set time limits and control what my child does on the tablet. This tablet has the same features as most other tablets like a camera and it can connect to the internet. I can add other games to my child's entertainment through the Google Play store. The parent's side of the tablet is password protected so I have complete control over my kid's entertainment. Most of the games are geared for kids under 12 but my boys still enjoy playing the games. Since this kid-friendly tablet has internet access on it, I can easily add games to it from the Google Play Store.

Coloring books: Coloring books and crayons are a favorite no matter what age.

Games: If you are able to grab seats with a table, there is plenty of space to play cards or any other travel game. Unlike air travel, you will not have to worry about turbulence, so pick your family’s favorite travel game and go play. This could be the perfect opportunity to actually finish a game of Monopoly!

DVD player: Bring with you a portable DVD player and some movies. Movies are always fun to watch while traveling and will keep the kids quiet for hours so you might be able to get a nap in.

Books: My boys still love for me to read to them and a long train ride is a perfect time to read to them. So bring plenty of books.

4. Arrive About 45-60 Minutes Early
 Unlike air travel, you do not need to arrive at an Amtrak station too far ahead of time. If you are checking bags, they need to be checked 45 minutes before the train departs. Give yourself some time for a bathroom stop before boarding the train. I recommend being near the train gate about 30 minutes before the train arrives so you can get on the train when it first arrives as  Amtrak also doesn’t have assigned seats. That way you will have enough time to ensure your family can sit together. You do not want to be the last people boarding a packed train!

5. Pack Food

 While most trains offer food, you can save money by bringing your own food. That way you have food that the kids will enjoy. I recommend bringing a soft cooler filled with drinks and food. Remember you can carry on 2 smaller bags and 2 smaller suitcases. The night before you travel, freeze snacks like yogurt, apple sauce, and fruit pouches. That way these items will keep the other food cold as well as reusable ice packs. I like to pack other snacks like peanut butter sandwiches, dried fruit, granola bars, Pressels, crackers, and nuts. Make sure to pack plenty of food and water so you don't end up having to buy an over-priced sandwich from the snack car. My kids really love Tree Top apple sauce as it comes in amazing flavors like strawberry and mango. The best part is you can eat it without a spoon!

The one product that I always pack when traveling



  Another item that I like to pack for traveling is an amazing Prebiotic Fiber & Probiotic Blend so kids don't experience tummy problems. This tasteless powder mixes easily into drinks and foods like applesauce. Regular Girl is Fiber and probiotics in one easy-to-pack product. It keeps everyone regular in the bathroom as traveling tends to mess with our bodies. Just one packet a day keeps your belly happy. So enjoy your vacation and not have to worry about the irregularity in the bathroom department. Regular Girl is all-natural, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free!

Save 10% on Regular Girl with my coupon code MOMKNOBEST10
                                        
6. Pack a Blanket and Travel Pillow
  Even if your train trip is not overnight, I recommend packing a blanket and travel pillow. That way kids can still take a nap. I also recommend packing some extra clothes for just in case. Instead of bringing a bulky pillow, pack a travel neck pillow like the ones you bring on the plane. These take up less space and are just as comfy for kids to use. I love wearing my Sleeper Scarf so I do not have to lug around a bulky travel neck pillow. I look fashionable with this fancy scarf that has a built-in inflatable neck pillow. This scarf comes in many colors so that even guys can look awesome while traveling. The scarf is so easy to wear and once you sit down in the train all you have to do is unzip the back of the scarf and blow up the enclosed inflatable neck pillow and relax in comfort. 



7. Bring a BackPack 

 When I travel, I always bring a backpack as my smaller carry-on item as it is easier to carry than a bag. Wearing a backpack frees up my hands. I like to carry my computer in my backpack also as it is easier to carry that way. When I travel with my kids, I have them carry their own backpacks. That way they can carry their own items to keep them entertained as well as some snacks. A backpack would be very useful for the train so you can carry your valuables like your money and computer on your back when you have to visit the bathroom or walk to another train car. That way you do not have to worry about someone taking your items. I like to buy backpacks and bags that are unique so they are easy to spot, especially for the backpacks that my kids bring to school. I also let my child pick out the backpack, that way they will enjoy carrying it.

  Make sure to get a backpack that fits your child so it is comfortable for them to carry. One place that I really love for buying my backpacks and bags is Backpacks.com. They have a huge selection of backpacks for the whole family, including ones for kids. They have so many unique styles and patterns to select from. I had a hard time deciding which backpack I wanted as I wanted several different ones. This website has all the name brands like Jansport, Eastpak, Swissgear, and many more. The prices are better than what you find in other stores. I recently bought this HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO DAWSON fashionable smaller backpack and I love using it for travel. It also makes a great purse. This cute tropical bag has lots of pockets so it is easy to find what I need. I love that it even has a pocket for my smaller travel computer. The internal pockets offer lots of organizational capacity and would make great for a backpack diaper bag for new mothers. This bag is so lightweight and so pretty to carry. This backpack will be the perfect size for bringing with me when I attend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in the fall. Before you know it, summer will be over and your kids will need a new backpack for school. Maybe you need a new computer bag or a new gym duffle.

Bottom Line
 I find traveling on Amtrak with my family extremely stress-free. My kids are not required to sit as still as on the plane. They are not confined in a small car. We can get up and walk the aisle as much as they want. You can even walk to another train car. There are plenty of bathrooms on each train car so kids can go potty when needed. Kids can sleep comfortably on a train as the seats recline. The best part is we can travel for way less.

 Oh, and when making your Amtrak purchases, make sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel. That way you can earn more points to use towards hotel stays and other travel trips.

Does your family travel by train? What are your tips?

National Backpack Program

                             It is almost time for the kids to go back to school!

  The beginning of the school year for most kids can be quite exciting as it is a time for new item school items. I know my boys get excited for back to school shopping. My boys love to select new shoes and new backpacks. These new items in return help them get excited about returning to school. For many kids, new items are not a reality for them. For some families, money is tight and these kids are unable to come to school with the basic essentials that are needed for learning. 

  Office Depot wants all kids to have a fair chance when it comes to learning. The Office Depot Foundation for the past 17 years has donated more than 4 million Sackpacks to children around the world. These colorful sackpacks include some basic school supplies so kids are able to have a fair chance when it comes to learning.This summer Office Depot, Inc. will be donating 100,000 colorful new sackpacks to nonprofit organizations, schools, and agencies across the United States and internationally. The foundation will also be hosting some back to school celebrations in select cities in the U.S. in July and August. It is amazing how a simple sackpack can get a child excited about going back to school.

This year, in addition to donating sackpacks to children who need them most, the Foundation is highlighting the importance of STEM and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs in our nation’s schools. To encourage kids to explore these important curriculums, the Foundation has partnered with Captain Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, America’s first African American female combat pilot, who will make special guest appearances at the Foundation’s Back-To-School celebrations in Los Angeles and Chicago.

      Sponsored Post: I was sent sackpacks from Office Depot to help promote this program.

   The Office Depot Foundation also sent me some of these awesome sackpacks and school supplies so my boys and I can bless a child in need. The school that my boys attend is a title one school so I know that there are many kids who come from families where the money is tight. My boys and I will donate these awesome sackpacks to the school's clothing bank so other kids can have some necessary school supplies this school year

More information about the National Backpack Program can be found on the Office Depot Foundation’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officedepotfoundation. To learn more about the Office Depot Foundation and its initiatives, go to www.officedepotfoundation.org/. 

Check out the Office Depot Foundation on Twitter and Instagram

                                                          #ODFcare

  I love that these specially designed, drawstring-style sackpacks come in bright and fun colors. Each one includes a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, six-inch ruler, and four crayons.