"I'm asking you 'cause you know about these things
How will I know?"

How Will I Know? by Whitney Houston

Hi Reader,

Last week, a mom told me she felt like she was failing her son. His teacher mentioned he was struggling with reading, and she didn’t know how to help. “I sit with him every night, but I don’t know if I’m doing it right.”

You’re not failing. But I know how easy it is to feel that way when you’re trying your best without clear guidance.

Sometimes, you just need personalized support—someone who can listen, answer your questions, and give you a plan that fits your child. That’s exactly what I do in 1:1 calls. If you could use that kind of support, let’s chat.​

Your book recommendations!

Last week I shared favorite chapter book series for kids, you filled my inbox with your kiddo's favorites! Here's what fellow subscribers suggested:

Animals as Main Characters

​Jack Russell: Dog Detective by Sally Odgers & Darrel Odgers (Puppies, dog puns, and light crime!)

​The World According to Humphrey series by Betty J. Birney (Humphrey the hamster is a class pet...but more of a class problem!)

​Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (this mouse on the move in this nostalgic series)

Oldies, but goodies:

​The Boxcar Children series by Gertude Chandler Warner (still relevant and beloved! with 164 books, this is a great series to try)

​Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne (with 39 stories, these are a popular first chapter book series that captures the imagination. It's commonly used in school curriculums)

Fantasy and Science Fiction

​Dragon Masters series by Tracey West (if Harry Potter is a little much for your kiddo, this is a great alternative. All the adventure without the difficult reading level or darkness)

​Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland (Dragons, prophecies, two kingdoms at war- this series is captivating for young readers!)

​The Wingfeather series by Andrew Peterson (pirates, jewels, and siblings saving the day- a total indulgence for kids to read)

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What's New?

🍎 Just for you: You asked for it- Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten is now available year round! Take it independently or upgrade to VIP to receive two check in calls. Plus it includes free 4 month membership to Starfall learning.

🎙️ Podcasts: I'm applying to be interviewed on podcasts. Do you have a favorite parenting podcast or youtube channel you think I should be on? Respond to this email to let me know!

💕 Anniversary: Wishing my husband Mike a very happy 4th anniversary! We had a romantic pandemic elopement on 2/26/21.

Things I Love

🍿 A Great Movie: Mike and I watched A Real Pain on Hulu. It's a story of two cousins that go on a Holocaust memorial trip to honor their great grandmother. This movie strikes a balance between being poignant and laugh out loud funny.

🚌 A Great Cause: A lot of public schools are facing scary realities about funding getting pulled. I'm directing my dollars to ensure public schools can still provide the resources they need. Many districts have foundations that run in partnership with the district. In my local district in Charlotte, NC this is The CMS Foundation. If you're looking to do some good, find those local nonprofits that work directly with your district.

Have a great week!