A parent asked me, “I’ve told my kids to do their homework when they first come home from school. But they just won’t do it, and end up finishing late. What can I do?” The parent’s thinking is to get homework out of way first, and that is a good study habit. This makes sense…only […]
This week is National TV Turn-Off Week. Are you joining in the challenge? Our elementary school gives incentives – small prizes and a popsicle at the end of the week for the students who can keep their TV off for the entire week – parents can’t watch either! When my daughter was in 5th grade, […]
The school year just started, and my daughter is already bringing home progress reports. I’ve talked to many frustrated parents who have underachieving children. Their kids are bringing homes low grades, but they could be doing so much better at school if they’ll only apply themselves! What can parents do to help the underachiever? 1. […]
“What would you wish your parents would do differently?” I asked this of some 10th and 11th graders in class today. Several of them shouted out, “I wish they wouldn’t be so overprotective.” “I wish they would let me go out more.” “They should let me drive.” I suppose that answer doesn’t surprise me. Every […]
I get lazy, do you? I have half finished projects, a messy desk, and stacks of paperwork waiting for me. Children are often lazy too. They scribble a few answers on their homework, write a paragraph or two, and consider their homework done. When I was substituting at an after-school care center, I helped children […]
What do you hope your children will be like when they grow up? We want them to have a good education, be financially secure, settle down and have a good family, right? Have you thought about wanting your children to be compassionate people? Merriam-Webster defines compassion as “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a […]
In our day of audio and video – ipods, mp3s, HD, etc., etc. – reading books still has a place in entertainment. Nothing trains our imagination better than reading. Building vocabulary and writing skills all come from avid reading. Many families have a habit of reading together before bed time. That is a great way […]
