The Bare Necessities Tutor

08/25/2026

Is your child reading the word...or guessing it?

The next time your child reads with you, watch and listen. Are they looking at the picture and saying a word based on what they see? Are they looking at the first letter and guessing a word they already know?

Guessing may help them get through a word in the moment, but it doesn't give them the skills they need when they come across an unfamiliar word.

When you notice your child guessing, try saying, “Let’s pause and try to sound out the word.” Encourage them to use the reading and phonics skills they already know. If they’re still struggling, try sounding it out together.

The goal isn’t to give them the answer. It’s to help them develop the skills they need to figure out unfamiliar words on their own.

Guessing instead of reading is also one of the five signs I talk about in my latest blog, 5 Signs Your Child May Benefit from Reading Intervention.

Blog link in the comments.

08/18/2026

Maybe reading has started ending in tears. Maybe your child guesses at words or says, “I can’t do it.”

Sometimes, these behaviors are a sign that your child is missing a foundational reading skill and doesn’t know how to explain what feels difficult. That frustration can show up as tears, avoidance, guessing, or wanting to give up.

The first step is figuring out what’s making reading so difficult. Once you understand where the struggle is coming from, you can give your child the right support instead of continuing to practice something they don’t yet know how to do.

In my newest blog post, I’m sharing 5 Signs Your Child May Benefit from Reading Intervention, along with practical strategies you can use at home to support their reading.

Read the full blog below.

Learn five signs your child may benefit from reading intervention and how targeted support can build stronger reading skills and confidence.

08/17/2026

Individualized tutoring goes beyond what happens during a tutoring session.

Today was a good reminder of that. Sometimes life happens. A parent realizes there's a scheduling conflict. A student gets sick at the last minute. A child logs on for tutoring after having a really emotional day and just isn't in a place where tutoring is going to be productive.

I have a cancellation policy for a reason, and there are times when that policy has to be enforced. My time is valuable, and when a family schedules a session, that time is reserved specifically for their child. But I also care about my students and their families. When something unexpected happens and I have the flexibility to find a solution that works for both of us, I'm going to try.

That's one of the things I value about being an individual tutor. I get to know my students. I get to know their families. I know when something isn't typical for them, and I can look at the individual situation instead of treating every circumstance exactly the same.

Having boundaries and running a business are important, but so are relationships. I think there's room for both.

08/12/2026

My school year tutoring schedule is underway, and I have limited openings available.

If your child is struggling with reading, math, or writing, you don’t have to wait. Let’s go ahead and get started. Tutoring can help strengthen skills, build confidence, and give your child more individualized practice based on what they need.

And remember, tutoring isn’t just for kids who are behind. It can also give students extra practice, reinforce what they’re learning at school, and help them continue building strong academic skills.

I also offer IEP coaching for families who need support understanding the process, preparing for meetings, or figuring out what questions to ask.

Not sure where to start? I always offer a FREE 30 minute consultation, and through the end of August, I’m also offering a FREE 30 minute assessment to help us identify your child’s strengths and areas for growth and determine the best next steps.

Send me a message to learn more or get started.

08/11/2026

What does tutoring actually look like?

It looks different for every child. I use what I observed during the initial assessment to determine where we should start, but that plan is never set in stone. I continue observing during every tutoring session and adjust based on what I see.

This is a little glimpse into one of my reading sessions. While we're working, I'm paying attention to more than whether an answer is right or wrong. I'm noticing how the student approaches words, where they struggle, what strategies they're using, and what they're ready to work on next.

Sometimes we get to the end of a session and I realize we're ready to move forward. Other times, I notice we need to take a step back and spend more time on a skill. Sometimes that adjustment happens right in the middle of the session.

That's what individualized tutoring looks like at Bare Necessities Tutor. We start with a plan, but the child in front of me determines where we go from there.

08/06/2026

My birthday falls right at the beginning of the new school year, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate.

There's something special about a fresh start. New teachers, new opportunities, new goals, and another chance to help students build confidence and discover what they're capable of.

I'm so grateful for every family that has trusted me to be part of their child's journey. Watching students grow, celebrating their successes, and helping parents feel supported is one of the greatest gifts I could ask for.

I'm excited to see what this school year has in store and grateful to spend another year doing work I truly love.

Here's to another year of learning, growing, and making a difference one student at a time.

08/05/2026

I thought I'd jump on the back to school trend and create my own "Meet the Tutor" character poster.

Hi, I'm Cara, the owner of Bare Necessities Tutor.

When I started this business, my goal was simple. I wanted to help children become confident readers. Over time, that mission grew. Today, I also help parents understand their child's IEP and learn how to advocate for the support their child needs.

Every tutoring session and every coaching conversation is built on the same values.

Caring - I take the time to build relationships with both students and families.

Adaptable - Every child learns differently, and I adjust my approach to meet their individual needs.

Reliable - Families know they can count on me to be prepared, communicate openly, and celebrate every step of progress.

Authentic - I believe in honest conversations, realistic expectations, and encouraging families every step of the way.

Whether I'm working with a struggling reader or helping a parent prepare for an IEP meeting, my goal is the same: to help children succeed and help parents learn how to advocate for their child and feel prepared to do so.

If you'd like to create your own back to school character poster, I've shared the prompt I used in the comments.

08/04/2026

Happy first week of school to all of my amazing students!

Whether your first day was yesterday, today, or later this week, I hope you all have a wonderful start to the new school year. I know the first week can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking, but I'm so excited to see everything you're going to accomplish this year. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with so many of you and welcoming new students to Bare Necessities Tutor.

Have a fantastic first week of school. I know you're all going to do great!

08/03/2026

The first week of school can bring a lot of questions for parents of students with IEPs. One of the biggest is, "Should I reach out now, or should I give it a few days?"

The first week of school is often an adjustment for everyone. Teachers are getting to know new students, schedules are changing, and classroom routines are still being established. At the same time, there are some situations that shouldn't wait.

I've put together a simple guide to help you understand the difference between concerns that need immediate attention and those that may simply be part of the normal first week adjustment.

Knowing what to expect can help you advocate with confidence instead of reacting out of panic.

If you're unsure whether a situation needs immediate attention or you're looking for guidance as the school year begins, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to talk through your concerns and help you determine the best next steps.

07/31/2026

An IEP doesn't have to feel overwhelming.

This IEP was over 10 pages long and filled with educational language, making it easy for parents to feel unsure about what information is most important.

One of the resources I create for my IEP coaching clients is an IEP at a Glance. It summarizes the most important information from the IEP into a simple, one page reference that parents can easily understand and share with teachers or anyone supporting their child.

The example I'm sharing was created with parent permission, and all identifying information has been removed.

My goal is to help parents learn how to advocate for their child and feel prepared to do so.

If you're looking for guidance navigating your child's IEP or want support understanding what it all means, I'd be happy to help.