To Motivate the Students…

For those parents of students who need a little motivation to study harder, try this video:

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Great Way for Kids to Get the News

Have you heard about CNN Student News? _____________________________________________ Updated with coverage of the oil spill! Check it out: http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=education/2010/05/27/sn.0528.cnn The site is “a ten minute, commercial-free daily news program” geared to middle and high-school students. If you’ve been looking for ways to get your teens interested in the news, I recommend bookmarking the CNN Student [...]

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A Good Way to Deal With Unwanted Teen Behavior

When I heard Dave Barry’s story about embarrassing his teenage son by picking him up from school in a Wienermobile (true story!), I thought I’d try his advice. He suggested that one of the easiest ways to get attention from teens was to sing. I’d add to that a bit by saying that song choice [...]

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Make Your Car a No-Phone Zone

Did you know that driving while texting is the same as driving after having had four drinks? This fact becomes especially important if you have teen drivers. April 30 is National No-Phone Zone Day, declared to raise awareness about the dangers of using a phone while driving. I’m on board and signed the pledge. Will [...]

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Simple Snacks Often Satisfy

I often wonder whether most families experience the challenges of at least one picky eater.  I suspect they do. Well, I know we do. It’s my son. I can’t criticize him too much, though.  I was the same way.  Didn’t like my corn touching my mashed potatoes, despite the fact that my sister loved mixing [...]

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Swine Flu Vaccine – Yes or No?

Now that some of the relative hysteria has lessened, it’s probably safe to ask: should I vaccinate my kids against H1N1? I found this video and still ask the question: Swine flu vaccine: Dangerous or safe? So tell me, what do you think? But before you answer, read this…

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Save Our Music Programs

Do you think it’s important for your kids to play sports? How about music? I believe that music benefits our kids, and I strongly encourage parents to support funding for school music programs.  They help our children in more ways than many people know or acknowledge. For one man’s knowledgeable perspective, watch this video:

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My Son's Credo

As parents, we hope to instill good values in our children, but how do we know when they learn the lessons or whether they even hear us? Over the years I’ve wondered… Do they learn from what we do? How can we be sure? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list of lessons, or [...]

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Stay in School Message

Have you seen this new Public Service Announcement (see below)? What a great message.  Work hard, stay in school and be responsible. I would add this —> always be kind and polite. Our president will be making a speech today to convey the same message. If you would like to read his prepared remarks, just [...]

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Does Your Daughter Want to Wear Eyeliner?

A good friend of mine recently confided that her middle school daughter wants to start wearing eyeliner. I’m happy for her that her daughter asked her permission (rather than sneaking it behind her back and secretly applying it on the bus ride to school). Shortly after our conversation, several other parents told me similar stories. [...]

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