Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic.
In some schools across the country, condoms are given out to kids in grades 1 through 12. This week’s question is: Does this cross the line? Is it ever too early to begin the sex conversation with your kids? Maybe you are glad that more pressure is put on the schools to educate children about safe sex? There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get the conversations going in the comment box below.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic.
Social and cultural historians often ask whether some event or trend is really happening more today than yesterday, or is it just more talked about today than yesterday? This week’s question is a two-parter: 1. Is there more crime and are there more kidnappings today than when you were growing up, or has instant access to world news made it seem like there are more incidences? 2. Either way, would you ever consider a GPS chip for your child? Or maybe an ID chip like you can get for your pets? There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get the conversations going in the comment box below.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Feel like no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic!
A school in Chicago has taken healthy eating to the extreme, by banning home lunch and insisting that students eat food provided by the school. Reports AOL News.com, “Little Village Academy principal Elsa Carmona said she banned bagged lunches six years ago because students were bringing junk food to school. She said the meals at school, which are provided by food contractor Chartwells-Thompson, are usually healthier.” This week’s question is: Good idea or not? Many parents bag lunch not only because it helps them control what their children eat, but also because it can be less expensive. Is it right to mandate that parents must spend even more money on school lunch? There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get …
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weigh in with your opinion on this week's hot parenting topic.
According to the Florida news source Sun Sentinel, change might be afoot in the Sunshone State that would start grading parents as well as kids: “Parents with children in pre-K-to-third-grade would get ‘satisfactory,’ ‘needs improvement’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ ratings in four broad categories. They would be judged on their response to requests for meetings or communication, their children's completion of homework and preparation for tests, their children's absentee and tardy rates and their children's "physical preparation for school," including a good night's sleep and appropriate meals.” Furthermore, “Parents' grades would appear on their kids' report cards.” This week’s question is: Would this help parents understand how much more involved…
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic.
There is pressure from everywhere: your children, your spouse, your parents and in-laws. It seems that you are needed and pulled in every direction. And last but (maybe) not least, your kids’ schools have PTO meetings, fundraisers, school pictures, class shows, volunteer opportunities and more. You work, take care of the kids and your home. This week’s question is: How much of your time do you devote to school-related activities? Do you think you should do more, or do you think that activities like this are a waste of time? There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get the conversations going in the comment box below.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic.
According to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (as cited in a USAToday article), Massachusetts parents shell out approximately $9,600 per kid per year for preschool care. That's about 40 percent of your average salary if you are a single parent, and 10 percent if there is a two-parent income. In the whole country, only three other states' preschool costs were ranked more expensive: New York, Minnesota and California. That's a lot of money - but, then again, these are our children. The question this week, then, is this: If you had your own preschool, how much would you charge? Would you factor in a 2 week vacation, like many preschools do? Would you take off all holidays? If you were responsible for …
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weight in with your opinion in this week's hot parenting topic.
Playground etiquette might not be the juiciest topic, until you find yourself looking for the mother of the kid who is running up the slide and about to plow into your child. This week’s question is: Should you say something to an offending child’s parent, or maybe to the child him/herself? If so, what are some suggestions for handling this in a productive way? There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get the conversations going in the comment box below.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Feel like no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic.
Bend anyone over your lap lately? According to a 2002 Public Agenda poll, the chances of you spanking your child are good. In fact, 57% of parents acknowledge spanking their kids. Time Magazine Online wrote, “Parents who do it argue that occasional spanking is an important disciplinary tool. Parents who don't do it say hitting a child teaches that violence is O.K.” The question this week, simply put, is: If you spank, are you a good or bad parent, or is there somewhere in between? There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get the conversations going in the comment box below.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Feel like no one listens to you? Weigh in on this week's hot parenting topic.
You see them everywhere: kids on their Nintendo DS’s texting to their buddies while listening to their iPod’s. Besides their uncanny ability to play games on a tiny screen with a tiny stylus without running into light posts, buildings or traffic, kids might be losing out with so much tech time in their lives. Many parenting magazines and websites warn us that too much time playing video games and surfing the internet raises the chance of becoming obese. Research also suggests that tech-y kids aren’t getting the proper amount of face-time with friends, thus stunting social development. This week’s burning question comes from your own local Patch's Parents Council: If all of his friends are doing it, how much should you limit your child’s …
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Think no one listens to you? Weigh in with your opinion on this week's hot parenting topic.
“Me-time.” For many parents, the phrase is both the joke and the punch line. In theory, you know you need to do your own thing every once in awhile. It makes you happy, and happiness is contagious. In practice, though, taking time for yourself often creates a sense of guilt: you think leaving your family for an hour or two means you don’t like them, or that you’re not a good parent because your patience has run out. Every parent has felt that way. Tell us if you’ve ever gotten over the guilt, and how you’ve done it. There’s some parent out there right now in need of your expertise! Get the conversations going in the comment box below.
Jennifer Simckowitz
8:33 am on Thursday, May 5, 2011
Agreed! I'm not a parent, but I find myself appalled sometimes when I go to the mall. more ›