Charlotte Smarty Pants
Charlotte Smarty Pants – Daily Scoop for Savvy Charlotte Moms
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From the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: 5 Ways to Enjoy Community Read in October
By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Be part of a big, exciting, community-wide book club, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s annual Community Read. We’ve selected books for every age group, and there are plenty of fun ways to participate.
1. Join the biggest book club in town.
We’re more than a great community. We’re a book club. And with a book selection for every age group, everyone is invited to join in on the fun. This year, all of the selected titles take place in a 24-hour time period. So spend a day with us for a month, and check out these great titles:
Adults: Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
Teens: The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Preteens: 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
Children: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
Children: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Read More →
Back to School: Lunch is now the most important meal of the day
By new Smarty Stephanie Wallace
Say it with me. September. Oh how I love September! To most people it’s just another month but to me and moms around the world it’s the mother of all months! To this mom September is the month of change. It means that summer is officially over, that it’s time to pack up those white shorts and pull out the sweaters, swap out the popsicles and watermelons for recipes filled with apples and pumpkins and most importantly it’s time to cut the swimsuits off the kids and pick out the perfect back to school outfits. Although I truly love summer, September has now become my favorite month.
It is a very SPECIAL September in our house as it is the first September all three of my little ones attend school together. In Septembers past my daughter has experienced the back to school scramble with all its change, but this is the very first “School” September for my twin boys.
As I began purchasing the backpacks and lunch boxes for my little ones this year, I started to really stress about how I would prepare lunch for all three in a timely and healthy manner. As I was researching healthy lunches online, I came across the Bentgo Kids Box. I found that there are several different bento boxes available and after reviewing them all, I chose to purchase the Bentgo Kids Box based on durability, ease of use, and price. Also, they come in such fun colors… how could I resist! Read More →
‘Fine-tuning’ Your Lady Parts
By a Smarty Guest Blogger who wishes to remain anonymous
I’m no stranger to non-invasive, facial cosmetic procedures. In fact, I’m a big fan. I’ve tried them all: dermaplaning, chemical peels, facials, microneedling, and don’t forget the ever important/life changing Botox! (Used in moderation of course).
But when it comes to my lady parts, let’s just say I’m a little more apprehensive. I’d much rather have my face jacked up then have something “down there” ruined.
A few months ago, I started to notice that laughing was becoming not so funny. Every time I’d let out a laugh, I also let out a little pee. Gross. If something was funny or if I had to sneeze, I’d have to hold myself like a little kid waiting to go potty.
That is when I decided to look into vaginal rejuvenation. (Or as I like to call it, “vaginal fine-tuning.”) There are a lot of different treatments that are offered. I decided to try out the ThermiVa™ at Hunstad/Kortesis/Bharti Cosmetic Surgery (HKB) because it is nonsurgical and overtime the “area” will continuously tighten. It says it helps with incontinence, improves sexual stimulation (can you say – bonus!), and the PAINLESS treatment takes about 20-25 minutes. I thought it was worth trying. Read More →
From the Smarty Education Corner and Charlotte Christian School: Meet Charlotte Christian
Christ-centered. College preparatory. Educating the whole child.
Knights Lead:
Celebrating more than 65 years of excellence in Christian education,
Charlotte Christian is a Christ-centered, college preparatory, independent, non-denominational school, serving students in grades JK-12. We offer a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for institutions of higher learning and life beyond. Character, values and essential life skills are emphasized and modeled by a professional and dedicated faculty. Our student population of 1,085 reflects a geographical, denominational, racial and ethnic diversity.
Knights Explore:
At Charlotte Christian we teach to the whole child – mind, body, and spirit. Whether trying a new sport or playing on a state championship team; composing a song in a digital music class or winning a National Gold Key in art; taking a field trip downtown or traveling the world during a J-Term excursion, we seek to allow each student to expand their horizons by offering a wide variety of teams, classes, clubs and activities. Read More →
From the Smarty Education Corner and CCDS: Academic Excellence, Moral Courage, and Kindness
Mark Reed, Head of School at Charlotte Country Day School sent an inspiring message to parents, faculty, and staff to start the new school year. Learn how academic excellence, moral courage, and kindness are central to a Country Day education. This blog was originally published on CCDS’s blog, BucsBlog, and we thank them for letting us share it with you!
August 22, 2017
Tomorrow, the campus comes alive again with over 1,660 students. Whether they are just beginning their educational journey or actively engaged in the Upper School as seniors, I know that they will benefit from the routine that comes with each school day. Our students are known, loved, and cared for by exceptional teachers who are truly committed to their success. While changes are taking place around them, both on Cannon campus with construction and in the world, this is a place where they will find comfort, consistency, and support.
Beyond our campus, as I consider all that is changing in our world, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that we, and our children, are witnessing challenging times of divisiveness and conflict. Please rest assured that more than ever Country Day is rooted in the Mission, Key Values, and Affirmation of Community that have guided our work for over 75 years. And, along with you, we are committed to providing a foundation that will prepare our students to thrive and lead in the world beyond our haven.
As I explained to the faculty and staff at our opening meeting last week, you can take comfort in the fact that our school’s mission and our work with students remains grounded in foundational key values that are simply a non-negotiable aspect of a Country Day education. They remain solidly intact as we experience “change” taking place around us. Three of those mission-centered, non-negotiable aspects of a Country Day education are academic excellence, moral courage, and kindness. Read More →
From the Smarty Health Corner and CEENTA: Eating? Allergies? What’s causing the older generation to have runny noses?
By our Smarty friends at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
While our children may find themselves with runny noses during allergy season, it’s important to remember our older parents might have runny noses, too. In fact, they might even be developing allergies.
What is causing those runny noses?
Typically, allergies tend to decrease in people as they get older because their immune systems naturally get weaker and no longer react to allergens. 
If they have a runny nose, what they likely have is a symptom of a condition called nonallergic rhinitis. This can be caused by things like weather changes, air quality, and strong smells. Runny noses can also be stimulated by eating. In fact, 90 percent of the men who see CEENTA ENT doctor Hunter Hoover, MD, complain about runny noses when eating.
“Runny noses in elderly patients are very common and usually not due to allergies,” Dr. Hoover said. “Fortunately, there are prescription nasal sprays available to help with that runny nose that do not have the side effects associated with many over-the-counter medicines.” Read More →
From the Smarty Education Corner and Charlotte Latin School: Reflections from a Lower School Head
By Smarty Guest Blogger, Mark Tayloe, Head of Lower School, Charlotte Latin School
In the field of education, when we hear a teacher or parent say, “You can’t teach a dog new tricks,” most administrators like me roll their eyes and assert that they have once again heard another excuse by someone who is change averse. However, as I ponder that trite saying, I have compassion for those who struggle with trying something new. Whereas certainly an old dog can learn new tricks, it surely isn’t as easy as it used to be. Those of us who have the opportunity to be in an elementary school, where I have had the good fortune to be for the last 19 years, find this truth manifests itself every day. The children we see are prime for every new idea and concept they encounter and go about learning it with great gusto.
The early childhood brain is so malleable that it’s often referred to as “plastic,” meaning easily shaped or molded. Teachers frequently refer to students’ brains as sponges that want to soak up everything you pour into them. Children are so hungry to learn and to try new things that we must take full advantage of this optimal time of child development to put them on a path for long-term success as students. Read More →
How to open your teen’s first checking account
By Smarty Guest Blogger Kimberly Paulk. For more tips on kids and money, check out her blog Parents + Money.
When my son walked out the door on his first day of high school, I panicked. It seemed like yesterday he was building with Legos on the back patio and suddenly here he was, practically packing to leave for college.
It was an overreaction, to be sure. But the realization that he was getting closer to “independence day” led me to many decisions. The first one: I decided he needed to learn to manage money. That meant opening a real, honest-to-goodness checking account.
Most financial institutions have savings accounts for children, but we went hunting for something that was more “teen” and less kid-focused. I also wanted something that would give him a lot of chances–to make a budget, make a plan and make mistakes.
We found the process to be fairly painless but it would have been easier if another mom had handed me a list of some options available in our area, along with a quick rundown of her experiences.
So here’s what we did, and what we learned. Read More →
From Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: Here’s what you need to know about the power of Active Reading
By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
We all know that reading is important for children’s development. Studies even show that babies benefit from reading with their caregivers well before they can even grasp language. But, there is something simple you can do to significantly improve the language and reading skills of the children in your lives. It’s called Active Reading.
What is Active Reading?
Active Reading is a different way of reading a children’s book. It involves reading a book WITH a child rather than reading a book TO a child. This proven approach improves children’s language skills, vocabulary and ability to understand what they read on their own.
Active Reading works for children from as young as six months through sixth grade. (For younger children you’ll want to focus more on talking about the pictures.) In Active Reading, an adult shares a picture book with a child and provides the child with multiple opportunities to talk about and engage with the pictures, new words and ideas in the book. The idea is to use the book as a tool to talk with your child, asking questions, teaching new words and getting the child thinking and talking about the book. Read More →
From the Smarty Health Corner and CEENTA: Autumn allergies are around the corner
By our Smarty friends at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
August will soon turn into September, and not only are your children back at school, but they might also start dealing with fall allergies. What causes them and how should you have your children treated?
Charlotte’s pollen
Fall allergy season is generally from mid-August to mid- to late September. Late August and early September are peak pollen time. The most common causes of allergies are ragweed and pigweed, although grass counts are still high from the summer.
Allergies in southeast America are strong this time of year. The mild climate means the area has a long grass season – March to September – and mold stays for most of the year because the region does not have hard freezes. Read More →