"Wait, My Kid’s Supposed to Know WHAT by Third Grade?!" – A Parent’s Guide to Not Losing It (At Least Not Over School Stuff)

I’ve had a lot of roles: teacher, administrator, coach, mom of two... now I’m happy to be your new best friend when it comes to figuring out what the heck is happening in your kid’s classroom.  

Let’s be honest: modern parenting is a mix of dodging mystery fevers, decoding emoji-texts and completely bizarre slang (what the sigma?), while also trying not to look totally confused at curriculum night. And somewhere in the chaos, you’re expected to understand standards, benchmarks, and why “Common Core Math” is so dang confusing (spoiler alert: it’s the publishers, not the standards, and I swear at least some of it makes sense!).  

That’s where I come in.  

What I Do for Parents (aka, Why I’m Your Educational Fairy Godmother)

I work with parents to help them understand the educational maze their kids are navigating—without needing a doctorate in education (but I have one, so you don’t have to).

Here’s what that actually looks like:

📚 Grade-Level Expectations: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and When to Chill

Ever wonder if your child is where they should be academically? I break down the grade-level standards into plain English (no edu-jargon here), so you know what’s expected—and more importantly, when it’s okay to breathe and not panic because your kindergartener can’t write a five-paragraph essay yet.

🎯 Standards Without the Stress

State standards can feel like a secret code. I help parents understand what those standards mean, how they show up in class, and how you can support them at home without buying a laminator or building a Pinterest-worthy reading nook.

🧠 How to Advocate Without Losing Your Cool (or Getting Blacklisted by the PTA)

If something’s off, or your child isn’t getting what they need, you can speak up—and you should. I coach parents on how to approach teachers and schools in a way that builds partnerships instead of tension. Whether it's an IEP meeting, a conference, or an email you’re nervous to send, I’ve got your back.

🧩 IEPs, 504s, RTI, MTSS, Gifted Services, and the Whole Alphabet Soup

Special services can be overwhelming. I help parents understand what supports exist, how to ask the right questions, and how to ensure their child is getting what they need to thrive—whether they need extra help, more challenge, or something in between. Let me be clear: Special Education is not my area of expertise. However, having been a teacher, parent, and administrator dealing with the special services world, I have access to some great resources, and even better people, who can get the answers and guidance you need.

🏠 Helping You Help at Home

I offer simple, realistic strategies for supporting learning at home—because you don’t need to be a certified teacher to help your kid read better. You just need a few tools, some consistency, and someone who won’t judge your snack-bribery system (hi, that’s me—sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do).

The Bottom Line: You Can Be an Empowered Parent (Without Googling “How to Become a Teacher Overnight”)

You don’t have to be an expert in state standards or have flashcards taped to every surface of your house. You just need someone in your corner who knows the system, loves kids, and has been on all sides of the school fence.

Whether you want one-on-one guidance, group workshops, or just someone to help you decode a report card, Lella Education Consulting is here to help you help your child—without the stress, without the guilt, and definitely without needing to attend another three-hour district meeting.

Let’s figure this out together—because your kid’s education shouldn’t feel like a mystery novel written in Latin.

Want to learn more or set up a session? Get in touch, and let’s make school feel a little intimidating and an awful lot less scary!