10 Things Children do for Parents by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

10 Things Children do for Parents by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

It is often easy to point out the many things Parents provide and/or do for their children within the Parent and Child relationship; however on today, let us look at 10 things children can do for Parents:

·         Children help Parents keep their priorities straight

·         Children give Parents a purpose

·         Children help Parents stay focused

·         Children help keep Parents honest

·         Children encourage and inspire Parents to be their best; afterall, they mimic you

·         Children can put a smile and/or laugh on a Parent’s face when others fail

·         Children bring Parents joy from their achievements and accomplishments

·         Children can give Parents the will to keep going when they would rather sit down; quit and/or give up

·         Children can keep Parents feeling young at heart and physically active

·         Children give Parents unconditional love

Photo Credit: Niks

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Want a Better World - Raise One by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

                                Want a Better World - Raise One by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

              “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” (Abraham Lincoln).

                                      Who is rocking your Child’s Cradle?

The adage above attributed to Abraham Lincoln is such a profound statement. Let us take a minute and look at what each could denote and the significance:

·         The hand – generally denotes a person, but can be a thing or place; it is significant of an influencer

·         Rocks – denotes action with the significance of tending, nurturing, shaping and influencing

·         Cradle- denotes a period of time- infancy; such is significant of the early stages of life of a child (one being influenced).

·         Rules – denotes power; significant of the impact of the influencer upon the influenced and influenced upon the world

·         World- denotes scope (limitless); significant of the scope of power of the influencer upon the influenced; as a result, the influencer has the power to ultimately shape the future of society and the world.

In other words, the future of the world is shaped and influenced by those or that which nurtures, tends and influences the young at the earliest stages of life.

Take a moment to stop, look and listen to what your child, you and society are being fed on a constant and daily basis; does it not consist predominantly of violence, immorality and comedy? Is such making a better world for our children and your job easier as a Parent or Educator?

If we want a better world, we must take time to raise a better world beginning at the earliest stages of life- infancy through the formative years of life.  We ask once again; who is rocking your Child’s Cradle?

Credit and thanks to Illustrator: Niks

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Cuts and Increases in Education and at Your School by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

             Cuts and Increases in Education and at Your School by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

School cuts, increases, why? Oh my!       School cuts, increases, oh my; why? 

There has been much in the news about cuts and increases in Education and at schools; cuts in everything from school staff to academic and service fees and when it comes to increases, everything from academic to extracurricular and bus fees have been affected.

Are cuts in education and at your school taking place; have costs and/or increases in certain areas and/or services now become the Parents’ responsibility? Often the question becomes what do I do and how do I and other Parents handle such?  Consider the following Four (4) Suggestions:

·         Request and obtain a clear and full understanding for the occurrence of school cuts and/or increases. Prior notice should be given to Parents to enable input from Parents.

·          Get a written copy of the education policy mandate. Some school cuts are as a result of a school not having met academic standard requirements. If such is the case, determine whether your school and/or school system have the right by law to pass costs and increases to Parents. Know what the alternatives are by law for Parents and students.

·         If applicable, contact an entity or organization that will explain or provided workshops and assist Parents with understanding education/school policies and their rights under those set policies.

·         Sit local and school-wide committees; become informed, knowledgeable and involved in and about that which occurs within your child/ren’s school(s) and Education?

Having knowledge of and engaging the above can assist with enlightening and placing you at the forefront of that which occurs within your school, school system and Education. A quality education cannot begin to occur for your children if due to lack of transportation your children are not able to get to school and/or they lack proper tools to work with once they get there.

                            Mom; thanks for all you do and for always being there!         

Courtesy and permission of photo from Mr. P.J. Barron

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Ending the Academic School Year- how did you do? By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Ending the Academic School Year- how did you do? By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

As another school year winds down, the question often posed to a child is how did you do? It usually has reference to the child’s academic performance for the school year. On today, we want to pose the question to Parents; Parents, how did you do this academic school year? A twelve (12) point checklist has been provided for you; check those which you have utilized this school year.

1.       ___ Checked or reviewed and/or took an interest in my child’s homework

2.       ___ Kept abreast of my child’s academic performance

3.       ___ Planned and provided some outside school learning experiences that were also enjoyable

4.       ___ Visited my child’s school during the school day

5.       ___ Held at least one Parent-School Conference

6.       ___  Provided some value and character building exercises for my child

7.       ___ Set  positive examples

8.       ___Encouraged my child

9.       ___ Did something special for my child

10.   ___ Assisted child with preparation for the school day (clothes, breakfast, packed school lunches, books and homework, etc.)

11.   ___ Listened to my child talk about his/her school day and/or concerns

12.   ___ Have and continue to show /tell my child that he/she is important as well as “I love you.”

How many of the twelve points did you check from the above list? Incorporating the above can assist you with building Positive Parenting Skills and make a positive difference in your child’s life and education.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Monsters under the Bed and in the Closet by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

                           Monsters under the Bed and in the Closet by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

When a small child, no adult could immediately erase your fear or convince you that there were no monsters under the bed and/or hidden in your closet(s).

When Mom and/or Dad realized that such was a serious concern they set about helping you conquer those fears. Such may have consisted of them having searched under the bed and in the closet to show and convince you that monsters were not hidden there; they may have remained awake until after you fell asleep; read an extra bedtime story thus having enabled you to fall asleep before they left the room, left your bedroom door slightly ajar and/or left a light or lamp on in your bedroom.

As a child, it was reassuring having caring Parents who with patience took time to set about easing our fears of monsters under the bed, in the closet and elsewhere; such served as a blanket of security and protection until our fear(s) were conquered.  Thanks Dad and Mom for helping us feel secure and protected as we conquered our fear(s) of those monsters under beds and in closets.

Parents we can often get busy and/or preoccupied with the pressures of life and forget or disregard what it is like to be a child. You may attempt to brush off your child’s concerns or fears and in the case of monsters being under the child’s bed and in the closet tell the child there are no monsters, but to the child monsters are very real. Do not disregard or take your child’s fears lightly and leave the child to try and conquer his/her fear(s) alone.

The manner in which you handle those monsters under the bed and in the closet can set a pattern/example as to how your child will address and handle future fears in his/her life.

Note: The above Illustration is by Artist Niks.

A Public Announcement 

                                          Today, April 27, 2012 is National Arbor Day

As a former 4-H Leader, I have fond memories of having planted trees with students on this day. Why not plant a tree; if you do not care to plant one take your child/ren to a park and enjoy playing and sitting under a tree(s). For more information about Arbor Day; research it!

Note: The photo of a tree which accompanies the public announcement of Arbor Day is by P. Jarrod Barron.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

When Competition and the Competitive World becomes too much by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

When Competition and the Competitive World becomes too much by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Does your child have a hobby? Has your child found something he/she truly enjoys and something at which he or she does very well? The questions are asked because 1) we live in such a competitive society; a society wherein one has to be the greatest and best in and at everything and 2) this continuous pressure to be the best can lead to some extreme adverse situations, conditions and behaviors of all involved.

Take for instance some television Reality Shows; with a number of these shows there can be only one winner, first, the best when in many cases there are clearly more than one winner. In many cases, the person(s) who decides the competitive winner or best may be biased, partial and/or his/her decision(s) flawed. Also, the one to three judges (usual number) attempt to speak for a large audience, which consists of people with different preferences and tastes.

Some of the greatest people in the world were not recognized for their talents, gifted skills and unique abilities by society or the world until long after they were dead; men and women who were Artists, Philosophers, Astronomers, Scientists, etc. In spite of not having received recognition while alive, some lived a fulfilled life while others a life of despair. I would like to think the difference in the two were 1) those who truly enjoyed and realized they were very good at what they did and 2) maintained belief in self and their self-worth and found ways to boost their self-confidence which provided stability to ride out the storms of doubt and moments of despair.

Society and the world are too fickle to put one’s ultimate trust, but if and when one does, have a hobby to sustain one. When competition and the competitive world become too much or too competitive for one; have a hobby. Hobbies can serve as escapes, retreats and continue to be the basis and stepping stone for productive and great opportunities. Our world is broad with a bigger scope and it constantly shifts. I foresee individuals who truly enjoy that which he/she does and does very well being more productive in this large and shifting world.

Parents assist with molding, shaping and nurturing your child, but do not attempt to make a carbon copy of yourself; allow your child to be the unique person he/she was meant to be. Sometimes the discovery of their unique qualities, talents or abilities can begin with a hobby. Does your child have a hobby?

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

The Awesome Task of Raising Children by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

               The Awesome Task of Raising Children by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Raising children is an awesome task even with the assistance of others; it consists of physical, emotional and financial challenges and often consists of a juggling act. A large part of your child’s day is spent at school and at least one-half or more is spent outside the school in your care and as your responsibility.

Often Parents are labeled as being good or bad Parents, such is not perhaps the best terms for describing parents and their parenting skills and styles; they are too extreme, broad and nebulous.  We prefer to use the terms effective and ineffective parenting. There are various Parenting styles and on today we want to look at five and provide a brief overview of each.

·         Effective Parenting - encompass Parents who are well-grounded, responsible, steadfast, but flexible as necessary; they set positive examples through both words and actions and find ways to spend quality and quantity time with their child/ren.

·         Strict, Stern Disciplinarian – this Parenting style revolves around rules and discipline. The Parent can be over-demanding and inflexible. Much of this type parenting style has been handed down from generation to generation and sometimes do not take in consideration the individual needs of the child/ren.

·         Popular - most Parents want their children to not only love them, but like them and think of them as “cool” Parents. However, the popular Parent can go to the extreme and failing at times to exercise good judgment, because being liked and winning their child’s and/or their child’s friend(s) approval are more important.

·         Vacillating - this parenting style is much like the newest fad; here today and gone tomorrow. The vacillating Parent can become easily sidetracked changing parenting styles depending on the most popular or “in” parenting trend.  Often the child does not know what to expect on a regular basis.

·         Ineffective Parenting – life’s situations and/or circumstances overwhelm this Parent to the extent that it seriously impedes or prevents the Parent(s) from effectively parenting his/her child/ren.

This post is not written to judge; we are all in this together.  We encourage Parents to check his/her parenting style; set a foundation; rules and expectations; be a positive example for your child/ren and realize that each child is different and take such into consideration. It is important to tell your child you love him/her, but equally important to show them in ways that they understand.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com