“My kids are so disrespectful when they talk to me. How can I get them to show some respect at home?â€
I have to warn you here, you may not like my answer. I wish there is an easy answer to that question. But from what I have experienced and observed, the [...]
“How do I keep communication open with my teenagers?â€
Parents often express that their teens are shutting them out of their lives. They talk more to their friends than to their parents. They might even consult with other adults such as their teachers or their friend’s parents. But they hesitate in coming to their own parents [...]
Do you feel pressure to be a creative homemaker?
Imagine this… your children’s rooms are painted all cute. The dishes are coordinated with cups and napkins. The furniture is arranged like a home magazine photo, with accent pillows, soft lighting…I am getting so tired just thinking about everything that I cannot do!
I am not a perfect [...]
Everyone I talk to is stressed about the Christmas holidays. There’s the shopping, vacation planning, entertaining out-of-town guests, baking, decorating the house, and on it goes.
I actually enjoy being busy at Christmas. All the activity is what adds excitement to the season! I think we purposely put that extra work on ourselves. Don’t you agree [...]
Ask any child to tell you the best thing about Christmas, and what do you think he will say?
“Presents!”
While we want to teach our children that Christmas is not all about getting presents, perhaps we’ve inadvertently conditioned our children to think that it is about the presents! That pile of wrapped boxes under the Christmas [...]
Roll up our sleeves: Getting involved is both rewarding and fun!
Join us for an interview with Heidi Gallegos, past school PTA President, elected School Board Member, Executive Director of the Regional Chamber of Commerce. She shares from her rich experiences in community involvement, and in raising her blended family which includes a set of twins.
Social network sites are the big thing. But the word MySpace strikes fear into the heart of concern parents. Should we allow our children to use MySpace? When my daughter asked if she can open an account, I had to think through this issue. Here’s how I decided…
Being at home with little ones can be a lot of fun…and a big drain on you. Nobody can work a 24/7 schedule without a break as a mother does and remain sane.
I’ve been there. Some days, I had to say, “Get me outta here!”
And that’s exactly what you should do. Before you get so [...]
Yesterday at church while I was teaching the children’s class, one of the boys was assigned to pass out the snacks. He proceeded to serve the boys who were clamoring for the food.
“Ladies first,” I said.
“Awww!” the boys groaned. “Why should the girls get it first?”
In this day and age of women’s rights and equality [...]
As a substitute teacher I was teaching a 3rd grade class today. The math topic was figuring out elapsed time on a clock.
“If the movie started at 6:30pm, and the movie was 1 hour and 15 minutes long, what time did the movie end?” The students are to write their answers on their individual white [...]
“You’re being overprotective!”
You bet I am.
When it comes to taking care of a baby, I am all for being overprotective. Don’t let other people intimidate you into thinking that you should not be.
Trust your instincts as a mother.
If you have a feeling that it is not a good idea to leave your 2-month-old baby overnight [...]
Do you remember doing “current events” when you were in school?
I remember in the 5th grade, every Monday was traumatic for me. Our assignment was to cut out an article from the newspaper and summarize the story orally in front of the class on Mondays. I distinctly remember this because it was the most dreaded [...]
The PTA says:
“Be involved. Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.”
Parent involvement helps students learn…
Imagine if at your work your boss walks around your work area every so often, and even if he doesn’t say a thing to you, wouldn’t you naturally [...]
“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 teenager I know [...]
