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Before You Give Your Child Their First Smartphone, Do These 6 Things

Giving a child their first smartphone can solve a practical problem—suddenly they can call after practice, text when plans change, and reach you in an emergency. But it also places apps, messaging, cameras, location sharing, purchases, strangers, and a nearly unlimited internet connection in their pocket. Smartphone access is nearly…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 19

The $500 Birthday Party Question: When Did Kids’ Birthdays Get So Expensive?

A child’s birthday can go from cake and balloons to a $500 event surprisingly fast. Venue packages, pizza, decorations, favors, entertainment, taxes, and tips can turn what looked like a modest afternoon into one of the family’s bigger discretionary expenses of the year. A 2024 survey reported by The Bump…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 19

8 Money Skills Kids Should Know Before They Get Their First Debit Card

A first debit card can feel like a major step toward independence for a child, but tapping a card is much easier than understanding what happens to the money behind it. Before handing over that plastic, parents can use the moment to teach money skills for kids that will matter…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 18

7 August Advocacy Tasks That Can Make the School Year Easier to Navigate

August can feel like one long checklist of school supplies, forms, schedules, and last-minute appointments, but it is also an ideal time for school advocacy. A few proactive steps before classes settle into full speed can prevent small communication gaps from becoming bigger problems later. This is especially important for…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 16

What Does a Special-Education Placement Change Cost Families?

A change in a child’s special-education placement can sound like an academic decision, but families often discover that it has a financial side, too. A new campus or program may affect transportation, therapy schedules, child care, work hours, evaluations, and even tuition. Those special education placement costs can range from…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 15

Understanding School Attendance Rules That Can Hit Families Managing Therapy Appointments

For families juggling school with speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, physical therapy, or other recurring care, the calendar can become surprisingly complicated. A weekly appointment may be medically important, yet repeated time away from class can still affect a student’s attendance record. The challenge is that school attendance rules vary…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 15

7 Records to Bring When Requesting a Special-Education Evaluation

When a child is struggling at school, asking for a special-education evaluation can feel like a major step. Parents often know something is wrong but may not know which information will help the school understand the full picture. Bringing organized special education evaluation records can make concerns more concrete and…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 14

Key Questions Parents Can Ask Before Accepting A Behavior Plan

When a school recommends a behavior plan, parents may feel pressure to agree quickly, especially if classroom problems have become frequent or disruptive. But an effective behavior intervention plan should do more than reduce behavior adults find difficult; it should identify what is happening, why it may be happening, and…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 14

6 IEP Changes Schools Should Not Make Without Parent Participation

Parents are not simply observers in the Individualized Education Program process; federal special education law makes them members of the team responsible for important decisions about their child. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must give parents meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions involving identification, evaluation, educational…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 13

Back-to-School Anxiety in Autistic Students: Signs Parents May Notice

The return to school can bring excitement, but for some autistic students, it can also create significant stress. New teachers, unfamiliar classrooms, changing schedules, crowded hallways, and increased social expectations can make the transition especially demanding. Autism back-to-school anxiety may not always look like a child saying, “I’m worried about…

Kids Ain't Cheap · Aug 13