Comments for Your Parenting Info

Comment on Healthy Weight Week by Michele

Michele — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:56:26 +0000

I found that serving a small amount of low calorie dip made raw vegetables much more appealing. If you have already cut up the veggies, as you suggested, they can be something that your kids nibble on while you prepare the rest of the meal. Doing this gets veggies into your kids’ diets, gives you a few more minutes to prepare dinner, and quiets the, “I’m hungry” comments.

Comment on Teen’s Perspective on New Year’s by Sam P.

Sam P. — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:55:53 +0000

I forgot to mention this, but the main website I used for reference on the pregnancy part was http://en.wikipedia.org, I just searched comparison of birth control medicines

Comment on Teen’s Perspective : Going Back to Homework by Sam P.

Sam P. — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:25:45 +0000

I understand what both of you are saying, but typically how you did in high school reflects how you will do in the real world. If you blow off high school, you are likely not to get into a good college, and typically that result in being the bag lady at Shaws for the rest of your life. You may have gotten lucky but, most other people wont.

Comment on Teen’s Perspective : Going Back to Homework by Michele

Michele — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:30:48 +0000

@Laurie, I agree that unschooling can be an option, but only for certain individuals. To my mind a good example is a teen who is knowledgeable about cars and repairing them but who struggles with typical schooling. For a teen such as this, there is no need to force the child to sit through history lessons and math tests. That teen would benefit from a mentoring program in the automotive field far more than a traditional school program.

However, I do stand by my assertion that teens need to complete homework. Homework is a way of learning. In order to attain a higher degree, homework and learning are part of the process.

Comment on Teen’s Perspective : Going Back to Homework by Laurie A. Couture

Laurie A. Couture — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:05:22 +0000

@Michelle, you are wrong, it is not a child’s “job” to go to school and do their homework. School and homework are forced upon children against their will- It is literally a forced hostage situation, not paid work that a youth chooses. I fully support youth boycotting homework, or better yet, unschooling. My teen son is an unschooler and he is living his dreams now, not in the future, doing the things he loves.

Sam P., I suggest getting a hold of The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn. Ditch the homework and go hang out with your friends. I boycotted homework from 8th grade until my senior year and now I am an author, an mental health counselor, mother of a teen son and a children’s rights advocate. My high school grades have nothing to do with my life now and homework had no relevance to anything I ever did once I left school.

I am so dismayed that Michelle, the person who wrote the previous comment, believes it is a youth’s “job” to go to school and do homework! Wow- Where is the law of nature that says that?

Comment on Teen Perspective: Celebrating Culture/Traditions by Jane Wangersky

Jane Wangersky — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:09:50 +0000

“I mean, how many people do you know that can speak Dutch?”

Dat kan ik doen, maar alleen een beetje.

Comment on Teen Perspective: Celebrating Culture/Traditions by Celebrate the Season | Wasabi Media Group

Celebrate the Season | Wasabi Media Group — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:07:07 +0000

[...] Study the celebrations of your family’s heritage [...]

Comment on Really Listening to a Teen’s Problems by Michele

Michele — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:23:50 +0000

Great advice! As a mom to teens, I understand your sentiments. The one thing that I have found to be helpful is to let my kids know that while I may not have time at that exact moment to discuss their issue, I will make time later. Then, I do just that. Whether it’s a talk in the teen’s room at bedtime or a chat for the two of us while we make dinner, I make sure to take the time and discuss the issue at hand. I find that letting them know that I will listen makes them more open to speaking with me.

Comment on Volunteering at Your Child’s Preschool by T Akery

T Akery — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:16:31 +0000

You are right. The Preschool teacher is “in charge” and children should understand this fact. There is such a thing as over-correcting and impeding on the teacher’s authority. If this becomes an issue, than Teachers should request a conference with the Parent and discuss how to handle things while the Parent is in the classroom.

However, Parents will likely step in to correct a behavior, especially if they see it happening right in front of them.

Parents should definitely talk to their Preschool teachers about any behavioral problems and how to tackle any issues.

Thank you for your insight.

Comment on Volunteering at Your Child’s Preschool by Preschool Teacher

Preschool Teacher — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:37:47 +0000

As a preschool teacher, I have to disagree with the statement that parents can correct behavior while volunteering. Although I enjoy having parents in the class, the children need to understand that while they are at school the teacher is the adult “in charge”. However, I would encourage the parent to schedule a time to discuss behavioral issues and discuss possible ways to redirect the behavior, whether it be through positive reinforcement, a behavior chart, or some other option.