Latest Posts

Great Kids’ Book on Teasing, Compassion, Forgiveness

Published by

Just discovered a fabulous story to read and share with your kids — girls, boys, pre-schoolers up to teenagers. Maybe you know it already, maybe you don’t. Written in 1944, yet totally relevant to today, it’s a short tale about teasing, compassion, and forgiveness, that will leave a lasting, heartfelt, thought-provoking impact on all who read it. Even has a timely Christmas ending. I got it from the library, but then bought it as a lifetime keeper on my family’s shelves: The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Getting a Glimpse: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Published by

Gone are the days when we entered our parent-teacher conferences asking, “Is he sharing?”  “Does he sit still when he’s supposed to?”

Our questions, our wonderings, our thoughts, seem a little more elusive, a little more in-depth now that our “little ones” are in middle school.  Things like “Is she working up to her potential?” is now more what occupies our brain.

Middle school is a whole different beast, to say the least.  By design, we’ve been required to “step out” a bit.  We’re not “at school” like we were in the elementary years.  Much of the feedback, the input, and the information that we can glean from our child’s middle school days come from his or her sharing of information, the report card, school communication, and the parent-teacher conference.

At conference time, here are a few things to maximize your parent-teacher conference:

Ask about his or her demeanor and attitude at school.  (You just may find it a little refreshing to find that the “tween” demeanor and attitude you see at home may be a little more pleasant at school!)

Focus on your child’s overall strengths and areas for development.  Explore beyond your child’s grades.  Look at the big picture.  What does the teacher see as your child’s overall strengths – outside of grades, tests and homework?  What traits, behaviors, or characteristics could your child more fully develop?  Share what you see.  Team up on ways that you can build upon your child’s strengths and support him or her in the areas for development.

Get a clear picture of the expectations and responsibilities of your child, both while in school and in homework.  Is he or she meeting them?

Make it a three-way street.  Prior to your conference, ask your child if he or she has any questions, concerns, or topics that he or she would like you to bring up to the teacher.  Share the teacher’s feedback with your child.  The conference is a great way to connect, re-connect, and foster ongoing development with your child.

Find out what you can do at home to best support your child.  One of my favorite things to ask teachers is:  If he were your child, what would you focus on?

And, last, but not least:  Enjoy the time.  Savor the feedback you gain from the teacher and cherish this unique stage of your child’s life.

Serving Those Who Have Served Us on This Veteran’s Day

Published by

On this Veteran’s Day, let’s take a moment to remember.  Let us lead our children to remember, respect, and honor those who have served — and sacrificed — for our freedoms.   Here are a few simple and heartfelt ways that we can “serve” those who have served us — on this special remembrance day and the days to come.

Thank a military service person.  Just smile and say thanks.  Your words will go a long way.  Just yesterday, a veteran reminded me how important it is to show our thanks to those who serve.  As you pass someone in uniform, take just a minute.  Smile.  Tell them, simply, “Thank you for serving.”  Your words will speak heartfelt volumes.

Spend a few moments in meditation or prayer.  Remember those who have served, those who are serving, and the many sacrifices made by them and their families.

Display a flag.  For those you know.  For those you don’t.  For all those in their honor.  For all that they have done.

Take part in an Operation Welcome Home event.  Throughout airports all over the country, people gather on multiple dates each month to welcome home our troops arriving home on flights.  Be there.  Welcome them home.  Give them a smile, extend your hand.  Tell them, “Welcome Home.”  These will be some of the most heartfelt, touching, rewarding moments of your life.  You will see how you touch our soldiers’ hearts – just by being there.  Just by welcoming them home.  It’s easy.  Just look up, online, the Operation Welcome Home calendar in your area; there are many, just like this one in Baltimore:  http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” -Cynthia Ozick

Let us remember.  Let us show our gratitude.  And for our freedoms, let us never take them for granted.

Getting Questions About the Election?

Published by

In the height of the election, there was lots of kid talk in our household — questions and comments like:

“What if there’s a tie?”

“This whole electoral vote thing is SO confusing!”

On this post-election day, no matter our political affiliation, our candidate preference, or whether we’ve “won” or “lost,” let us value our choices — and our freedom to make them — as Americans.  Although far from a perfect system or society, an election gives us the opportunity to speak our voice, while affirming our values (social, fiscal or otherwise).  As we talk with our kids about the election, it’s another opportunity to discuss our values and priorities, as individuals, families, communities, and as a nation.  It’s a time to remind our kids to appreciate differences among people while cherishing the ideals that not only make us unique but that are founded in being an American.  This morning at breakfast, my daughter threw out some word associations.  One was: “When I say America, what do you think of?”

Take a moment.  What do you think of?

Let us cherish what “America” visualizes for us and what America means to us as we journey into the next post-election era.

p.s. And if your kids are confused by the “whole electoral vote thing,” this may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9H3gvnN468