Happy Friday, mommas! We hope you're savoring the final moments of the holiday break with your family. I'm gradually getting my house back in order after hosting guests for two weeks (love ya, sis!) and tackling the task of stowing away all the Christmas decorations. 

We have some really interesting topics for you today - everything from grade inflation (unfortunately, groceries aren’t the only victims) to kickstarting the new year with organization, beginning right in your bathroom. If Birdie has been bringing a smile to your face, please consider forwarding us to your fellow momma friends! Your support is the key to our success, and we aim to reach as many moms as possible, enriching your daily lives with mom-focused content.💗🤗

• Report Card Awareness: What to keep a look out for with grade inflation, and the importance of building strong relationships with your child’s teacher.

• Winter Fashion Trends: Because moms deserve to look and feel good, too!

• Bathroom Organization: Tips to making your bathroom a place of peace.

EDUCATION

Your child's grades might have more to them than meets the eye. 👀📚

Ever wondered if those report cards truly reflect your child's academic journey? Recent findings suggest there might be more to the story than what meets the eye. Reports indicate that grades, especially during the pandemic, might not accurately represent students' mastery of subjects. A Washington state study revealed a surge in grades during the pandemic, potentially masking learning gaps revealed by standardized tests. It's essential to look beyond the report card.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2022, a Learning Heroes survey found that 92% of public school parents believed their children were performing at grade level. However, a federal survey revealed that half of all U.S. students began the school year behind grade level in at least one subject.

What is Grade Inflation?

Grade inflation occurs when assigned grades do not align with content mastery. From 2010 to 2022, there was a decline in the percentage of students receiving B and C grades, while the number of students with A grades increased. These higher grades did not correlate with improved ACT exam performance. 

🚫 It’s not a victimless crime…

“It sends a false signal to students and families, making it tougher for educators to encourage students, acknowledge hard work, or give honest feedback. It can mean that selective college admissions become more about connections and game-playing than about earned opportunity.” - Forbes

What can you as parents do? 👨‍👩‍👦

• Connect with teachers to understand more than grades.

• Express genuine concern and ask: How was the grade determined? What evidence supports it?

• Discuss your child's future and ask for evidence of readiness for college or career training.

• Support teachers implementing higher standards; it's worth the risk of slightly lower grades for your child's chance to gain advanced skills. 

 🧑‍🏫Check out these additional resources for tips on fostering effective partnerships:

Brain Balance Centers: Link
Understood.org: Link
The Everymom: Link

FASHION

Chic Frost: Mom's Winter Wardrobe Decoded

Because being a mom doesn't mean putting style on pause! We've done the research for you and curated the latest winter fashion trends, ensuring you stay effortlessly chic while managing the mom hustle.

Let’s highlight a few trends thanks to Marie Claire…

🌊 Life Aquatic Elegance: Dive into a marine-centric color palette that echoes the depths of the ocean. 

TREND ALERT: Winter 2024 is about embracing cool blues, watery greens, and mysterious blacks. Channel the sea with contrast stitching, and a blend of textures.

⭐ All-American Revival: Celebrate the enduring charm of the "All-American" aesthetic. 

🐻Warm and Fuzzy Bliss: Fight off the winter cold with a cozy touch of warmth – let statement outerwear and faux fur be your go-to shields.

Look what else we found!

Dark Denim - Find yourself a darker pair of denim with a straight or wider leg, according to Glamour. I’m eyeing this pair from Madewell.

Brown Hues - The blog, No Time for Style, insists that brown is versatile and pairs easily with beige, camel, and cream. Love this look by Destiny Thompson (see picture)!

Puffer Coats Galore - Puffer jackets offer warmth for all types of weather - brisk morning to borderline blizzard. The Mom Edit offers her advice on which she likes best.

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

INFLUENCER HIGHLIGHT

🤍 Winter fun. Try out these toddler-approved activities this winter.

🛒Grocery solutions. If you dread the grocery store, grocery lists, and meal planning, make it a touch better with these helpful apps.

💪Healthy and happy. Set yourself up for success in 2024 with TODAY’S quick start guide for a healthier new year.

🍲No more fridge chaos. As you get rid of all the holiday leftovers, take the extra time to do a full organization of your fridge and freezer. Tips and ideas courtesy of Arin Solange!

🛀Goodbye clutter, hello peace and relaxation!

Your guests have officially exited, and now it’s time to embark on your New Year's resolution of getting organized—starting in the bathroom! For moms, the bathroom might be one of the only places to find real peace. It's crucial to turn it into a sanctuary rather than a source of anxiety in your life. ✌️😌

Here are some tips to help you kickstart the process of transforming your bathroom into a place of peace:

🫧 Declutter - Uncertain about what to get rid of? Clean and Scentsible shares a list of 20 things to eliminate immediately.

🫧 Groupings - Combine items you use daily, such as your morning routine products. Real Simple promises this will reduce the time spent searching for essentials while you're rushing out the door.

Now that you've cleared out the space and taken inventory, it’s time to invest in a few products to maintain organization. Without proper storage solutions, all your hard work could go to waste.

• Over the Door Baskets - Purchase Link

• Lazy Susan Organizer - Purchase Link

• Stackable Cosmetic Drawers - Purchase Link

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