Dialogue is an essential element of storytelling, bringing characters to life and adding depth to narratives. As English Language Arts (ELA) educators, it is crucial to teach students the proper use of quotation marks and rules of dialogue. By mastering these skills, students can effectively convey conversations, enhance their writing, and develop a strong command of punctuation. In this blog post, I explore the importance of using quotation marks and the rules of dialogue, along with practical tips for teaching these concepts in the ELA classroom. Quotation marks serve two primary functions in writing: indicating direct speech and enclosing titles of short works. In this post, let’s focus on dialogue as it shows up in works of fiction or narratives.

Daycare has proven to be one of the toughest hurdles so far in motherhood. I love the analogy for parenthood that our kids are our hearts walking around outside of our bodies. That about sums it up. I didn’t know how hard it was going to be to trust someone with my little heart. There are so many things to consider, research, and question when it comes to finding childcare and a daycare provider. Often, the availability of good daycare is so hard to find because of age, circumstances, or if they are full. The younger the child is the harder it seems to be. I have found daycares that weren’t a great fit for us as a family, and I have found daycares that put my mind at ease. This post is to help a mama’s mind during drop-off. Whatever your reason for needing and choosing a daycare, those reasons matter. Grab a notebook and pen and get ready to circle one of the following 25+ affirmations that stick out to you. If you need to, put it on a sticky note on your rearview mirror or take a glance at it before you start your engine.

Before having a baby, I loved to write down powerful sayings, save quotes on my social media feeds, or underline important phrases in books. After giving birth, I am realizing that affirmations really help you control the narrative of the daily conversations you have with yourself. The postpartum period right after giving birth is a time when you don’t have the time or energy to monitor what you are saying to yourself, but it is the most important time in those first few weeks that the things you say to yourself matter more than you can ever know. Keeping track of the inner conversation as a mama is part of the healing process. Whether you choose to write some of these affirmations down on a sticky note or grab your favorite journal, take what you need based on how you feel. This post is really like the postpartum affirmations buffet. Please help yourself to a serving of self-love and care. Then, when you are feeling frustrated, alone, tired, or discouraged, make sure you give yourself another serving if needed. This post has 100+ affirmations that aren’t fluff. Whether you are struggling with breastfeeding or feeling alone after giving birth, jot down a mantra or a saying that you can tell yourself over morning coffee or when you find one quiet moment in the bathroom.