School dances are common for high schools and even some middle schools. While the students are often responsible for deciding upon a theme and completely decorating the dance location, teachers and parents are often asked to chaperone. If you’ve never done so, here’s some tips on how to be a chaperone without keeping your child or teen from having fun.
You want to try to stay out of your child’s way and to keep a low profile. You’ll want to have your own way to and from the dance because your teen probably won’t want to be seen with you. You’ll also want to wear something fashionable but understated so you don’t compete with the students. Dads can wear a suit but don’t have to wear a tie.
Remember why you’re at the prom. You’re not there to spy on your teen or to keep them from having fun. Your priority is to ensure that all of the students at the dance are safe. Follow the instructions you were given about enforcing the school’s policies. Don’t accept or tolerate inappropriate behavior from anyone, including your own child.
You’re not there to dance, so do everything you can to keep from doing so, no matter how much the music makes you want to move. Resist the urge as if your life depends upon it; it just might if your teen catches you dancing and gets embarrassed in front of their friends.
Treat your teen like you wanted to be treated at their age. They’re not children any longer; they’re young adults and would like to be treated as such. This isn’t the time to take pictures either - take them before your child leaves the house instead.
Keep in mind that your teen may ignore you or avoid you while you’re there. That’s to be expected, really, since they’re trying to spread their wings and learn to be more independent. They need to be able to have fun without worrying about you checking up on them.
One place you may be asked to keep on eye on is the snack table. There may be punch or some other drinks available for participants. In the past, there was a possibility of someone spiking the punch. You can expect someone to try it today, too. Of course, with the school’s no alcohol policy, you may have to come down on the guilty party.
You may also be asked to check the restrooms, as well as verify that students remain in the room where the dance is being held. Be sure to follow the instructions you were given about where students are allowed and what to do if someone breaks the rules. It can be rewarding to volunteer as a chaperone for your child or teen’s school. Remember to keep your distance from your child so you won’t embarrass them. Do what you are asked to do, and you might actually enjoy yourself.
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Every year families are torn apart by accidents involving school buses. Research is currently ongoing to determine how to make buses that transport our children safer than they currently are. If you’ve ever wondered how safe your child’s school bus is, take a look at this.
Some school buses have specially designed seats that act as a form of protection even if seat belts aren’t available. Other buses have seat belts that are reported to offer additional protection. The problem, in many cases, isn’t whether these protection devices are available but whether they are used and used properly. Another thing to consider is if the bus is properly maintained and whether the driver behind the wheel is properly trained and certified to be driving the bus in the first place.
Depending upon which state you live in, school buses may be required to have seat belts. Some states that require seat belts don’t require that they are used; they leave that up to each individual school district to decide. In fact, the jury is still out as to whether having seat belts on school buses makes them any safer.
School buses, unlike many things in a child’s world, are actually designed with children in mind. They have been designed with nearly forty federal safety features. The frame helps the bus remain intact if it rolls over during an accident, there is a protective cage around the fuel tank to prevent leaks, and there are burn resistant materials used throughout the bus. The height of the bus off the ground means the possibility of children being injured due to a side impact accident is reduced. Even the color of the bus and the reflective paint on it are there to help keep your children safe.
Every school district across the country is required to maintain their buses properly to ensure the safety of its passengers. They must do a pre-trip inspection each morning before allowing students onto the buses and immediately report any safety defects that may make the bus unsafe.
Anyone wanting to be a bus driver is required go through training to receive a commercial driver’s license (class 1 or 2, with a B or C endorsement) before they are even allowed to get behind the wheel of a school bus. The school system will also require any additional training to keep their drivers up-to-date. Drivers are also required to pass a yearly physical to ensure they are healthy, have good eyesight, and are able to perform their duties as a driver.
Your children are important to you, that’s a given. What may surprise you is how important their safety is to the school district that transports them to and from school each day. They do everything within their power to maintain the bus and train the driver so your children are protected.
While it would be great if school buses, as well as any other vehicle your children ride in, were 100% safe, there are too many outside influences to guarantee that safety. However, the school bus manufacturers, school districts, and drivers are all concerned about your child’s safety and will do everything within their power to get them back to you safe and secure.
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When you have children that attend school they’re going to have homework. And while the subjects they study may not have changed, the method to arrive at an answer may have. There may even come a time when you don’t know how to help your child with their homework. That’s when homework helpers online can come in handy.
Some parents may choose to use a tutor to help their children learn a skill or subject that is needed. If you’re lucky enough to find a local tutor, they can be a great help. However a local tutor may not always be available. Thankfully there are online alternatives.
You may think of Sylvan when your child needs tutoring, and there are many tutoring centers all around the country. When there’s not one nearby, you can find live, online Sylvan tutors for your student. Of course, you can expect to get the same individualized tutoring as you would expect in their centers.
All you need to get started with online tutoring is a personal computer, Windows software, and a high-speed internet connection. Sylvan tutors are state-certified and trained to motivate your child to do their best. Prices will vary depending upon what courses your student needs help with and the amount of time their help is needed.
There are other online homework helpers as well. You may want to check into Homework Helper Online. They offer a 30-day trial of their system. The system can be paid for on a month-by-month basis, for one semester, or for the entire year.
Your state may offer free online homework help for students who live there. You can go to your favorite search engine and type in “homework help [your state]” and see what is available. Reduce the number of hit you receive by putting “free homework help [your state].”
You may also be able to find online homework help by visiting gateway websites such as www.refdesk.com and www.freeality.com. Both of these sites have links to hundreds of websites that can provide your student with the help they need. While there may not always be live help available, the websites are set up to help your student find the information they need.
Scholastic is a recognizable name if you have children. You’ve probably been asked to purchase books for your student through Scholastic. They also have homework help available at their website.
If you work outside of the home, you may not be available to help your child with their homework. When they need help, there are options they can find online. While not all of them are free, there are some free homework helpers online that can aid your children with getting their work done and helping them understand their lessons better.
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Let’s face it; it isn’t always easy to juggle work and family activities. Whether you have a large family or a small one, it’s still possible to feel like you’re running around constantly from one end of town to the other. If your family’s activities are running you ragged, it’s time to put some time management skills to use.
Get a large calendar that allows you to write in the individual dates. There are a number of “family calendars” that are perfect for this activity. Assign each person a particular color use their favorite color unless more than one person has the same favorite and then create a centralized calendar for the whole family.
Here’s an example: Your family has five members Dad, Mom, Mary, John, and Susan and their favorite colors are green, pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Purchase some highlighters of those colors to make this organizational tip work. When you have your calendar and your markers, you’re ready.
Have all family members write down every regular activity that they are involved in each month business meetings, doctor’s visits, sports practices, sports games, volunteer activities, religious activities, play dates, spouse date nights, known school vacation dates, birthdays, etc. Write each activity on the calendar and highlight it the color of the person who is involved.
When new activities are added, use the same color coding system so that everyone in the family can see at a glance if when they have activities they need to be prepared for. This will also allow you to know if your family’s schedule is too busy.
If your children each have activities on the same day, get someone to help you. Teach your children that there may be times that both parents won’t be able to attend an activity or important event. If Mary has a dance recital on the same day and time that John is graduating from Cub Scouts, there’s just no way both parents can be at both events. Get the kids’ grandparents or other special people in their lives to be there for them when you can’t.
You may want to consider limiting the amount of activities each family member is allowed to be involved in. If John plays all sports available at his school and wants to add guitar lessons, he may just be too busy. The same would go for Susan being in Brownies, playing soccer, and wanting to learn to horseback riding. Look at your already packed calendar and learn to say ‘no’ so your family has some time to spend together rather than running hither and yon.
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While you’re in the midst of the winter doldrums, you can expect your children to begin to wear on your nerves. They’ve been cooped up all winter and they’re ready to get outside when spring arrives. You may be starting to think about inexpensive and fun family days out this spring, as well.
Because of the uncertainty of the country’s economic situation, you want to find things that your whole family will enjoy but that won’t break your family’s budget. Here are some ideas you may want to consider:
You don’t have to sit at home when the warmer weather hits, but it may not be possible to go to a park for a picnic due to rain. Instead, why not find some activities that will take you away from home and yet allow you to be inside to keep dry?
Many art museums offer a free day during the month. This would be a great way to get away from the house and introduce your children to a cultural activity at the same time. They might become fascinated by the artwork in the museum and find a new hobby they can enjoy.
Your city or town may have smaller museums or living history areas nearby. Often these are less expensive than larger museums or theme parks, but they can be just as much fun. These will allow your children to be out in the warmer weather and sunshine as well as expand their mind or understanding of local history.
Is there a botanical garden where you live or within close proximity? If there is, botanical gardens can be a great place to visit. Perhaps, while you’re there, you can find out about local hiking trails that you and your children can enjoy. Go out and enjoy the beauty of the area along with the new flowers that are budding or just starting to bloom.
If the weather permits, you may want to have a picnic in a local park. Be prepared, however, in case the weather changes which is normal during the springtime. Take along your family’s favorite foods - you don’t have to make it too elaborate. Fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, cheese, and bread are good, non-messy choices.
Plan a camping trip if you have a long weekend. Pack up items from home and put them in the camper or car. Find a camping spot at a local state park and get away from home. Camping in state parks is so much cheaper, and much more fun, than staying in a hotel.
The weather is warming up, so it’s time to think about things you can do as a family. There are so many inexpensive and fun activities that you and your family can enjoy this spring. Think local first. These will keep you from spending too much in gasoline and are often easier on your budget.
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Your teen has just told you that they hate you. Nothing pierces a parent’s heart like those dreaded words. Don’t take your teen’s outburst personally, however. Most likely their hormones are causing them to say and do things they wouldn’t have a few months ago.
Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? Their hormones are shifting from day to day. They’re trying to assert their independence. They may also be feeling unsure of themselves because of all the changes taking place in their bodies. It’s no wonder they may strike out at you verbally. You’ve probably gone through it all before - possibly saying the same hurtful things - when you were a teen, so don’t be surprised.
Try to remember to accept the outbursts and distance as a part of the growing process. Your teen is going through so much. They could feel pressured to do well in school, or their friends may be asking them to do or be something they’re not sure about. Add to those pressures any difficulties they’re having at home or a possible part-time job and your teen may be about to explode. No matter how hurtful their remarks may be, try not to blame them personally for having a meltdown.
Don’t react to negative outbursts. They really don’t mean to attack you personally; you just happen to be in the line of fire. Try your hardest to remain calm instead of shooting negativity back at them. Ignore what they say and remember that this too shall pass.
If you do react rather than remain calm when the verbal accost begins, step back, and suggest that you take a time out. Let your emotions cool down for a little while. This may take a couple of hours or even a day or so. When you’re both calm and can talk in a reasonable tone, try to discuss the problem that led to the outburst.
Remember that you’re not alone. There are parents all over the world that have teenagers going through similar hormone surges that are making them hard to live with, too. This phase isn’t going to last forever even though it may seem like it. You’re not alone in this and you can survive it just like your parents did and theirs before them.
Of course, knowing that something is common to parents and teens the world over doesn’t really help you get through the stress and hurtful words at the time they’re said. Relax, take a deep breath, and remember that this teen will once again be ‘normal,’ if there is such a thing for teenagers. While it’s important not to take teen outbursts personally, you’re not alone and you can become better friends on the other side when their hormones return to a reasonable level.
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Your child comes home with blood on his shirt. When you ask what happened, they tell you that they fell down or something like that. You wonder if your child is dealing with schoolyard bullies.
A schoolyard bully is a child, often bigger than their peers, who uses their size as a means to manipulate and take advantage of other children. Often the bully senses the vulnerability of other students and capitalizes on those feelings. They try to gain control of other children by use of intimidation and sometimes violence.
Children who are bullied are easily manipulated. They have low self-esteem and may become anxious or depressed. Unfortunately, depending upon the severity of the bullying a child receives, they may turn into the very thing that they hate. They may become a bully when they get older.
Children who are bullies often become a bully because they feel inadequate in some way. Perhaps their parents are divorced or one of them is abusive. If they are manipulated through violence it may be the only way they know how to get the recognition they need and desire.
Tell your child that no matter what is happening you’re there for them. Be sure they understand that you want to help them and they can tell you anything. They may feel intimidated to the point that they are afraid to talk to you. Reassure them that whatever is happening isn’t their fault.
You can help your child deal with the situation by helping them to not be an easy target for a bully. Teach them to stand up straight, speak with a clear voice, and to look their peers in the eyes. By carrying themselves in this way, they will not appear weak or vulnerable. Explain to them that bullies generally try to find children that are alone where that they can’t be seen or heard.
Many parents, when learning that their child has been bullied, decide to enroll their child in martial arts classes so they can take care of themselves. This may not be the best course of action. Violence often breeds violence and you don’t want to encourage your child to start down that road.
Sometimes kids can be cruel without being a bully. When it’s your child that has been the victim of bullying, you want to do whatever possible to get the bullying to stop and for your child to be safe. Perhaps your child isn’t dealing with schoolyard bullies, but to be on the safe side, you may want to speak with your child’s school so they can be aware of the situation and to take care of any problems.
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At some point in your child’s education, they may feel like their teacher doesn’t like them. As a parent, you may want to rush to your child’s defense but that may not be the best way to deal with a difficult teacher. Perhaps you’re the one with the problem relationship. Where your child attends school could affect how you deal with a difficult teacher.
Despite the school system’s attempts to find teachers that genuinely care for their students and are able to get along with parents, there may be an occasion where you don’t get along with your child’s teacher. Perhaps you have a personality conflict. Then again, the problem could be that they don’t like your child or are merely difficult to talk with.
You want to do everything you can to ensure your children have a good educational experience. Since they have to see, respond to, and interact with their teacher everyday, it’s important for you to be able to get along with their teacher, too.
If your child attends public school it may not be that the teacher is actually trying to be difficult, it may be that she has so many students and parents to deal with that he or she has developed a detachment that you may mistake as apathy. Most likely, there has been a misunderstanding and the relationship can be mended.
Teachers in private schools often have fewer students to contend with. It’s not that there still can’t be a misunderstanding, but some private school teachers could have an attitude that nothing they do is wrong when dealing with your children. This could be part of your difficulties with them.
Here are some tips on how to deal with a difficult teacher:
* Set aside some time to sit down and talk. You can discuss your child, but it may be best to try to resolve your own differences first.
* Do not be confrontational when you go to see your child’s teacher. Remember that they’re not the enemy; they are a vital component to your child’s educational success.
* Try to remember that communication is important. You can set aside your differences or difficulties for the benefit of the child in question.
* Use reflective listening. Allow them to say what they need to and then rephrase it back to them. Ask them if you understood correctly. Be sure to thank them for their input into your child’s life and for being willing to talk with you and solve the problems you may have.
* Offer to help in some way. It may be that your difficulty with your child’s teacher was just due to getting off on the wrong foot. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to help them volunteer to make copies one afternoon a month or offer to call other parents if there is something important that needs to be passed along this may go a long way to repairing your relationship.
Try to be patient with your child’s teacher. If there is direct animosity toward you or your child, there is a chain of command at the school. Go to the principal of the school to make a complaint but remember that you’re not to attack the teacher, just their actions. If nothing else seems to work, your child should only have that teacher for one year. They, and you, can make the best of a bad situation and look forward to having a new teacher the following year.
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Do you remember when you were in school and there was one group of students that everyone wanted to be a part of? Those groups, also called cliques, may have thought they were cool when they made fun of anyone who wasn’t a part of them. And they’re still around today. Your own children or teens may be facing their own issues with cliques in school.
Depending upon whether they’re a part of the “in” crowd or not could make their time in school enjoyable or not so enjoyable. In fact, experts believe part of the reason there have been so many school shootings in recent years is because some teens were ostracized or made fun of by the popular cliques at each school.
Teenagers, as well as younger students, can be mean. Students are made fun of for not wearing the right name-brand clothing. Maybe they don’t have the newest computer or other piece of technology. Whatever the issue may be, you don’t have to stand by and watch your children or teens being treated in a hurtful way. You can help them avoid some of the problems associated with cliques.
Cliques are groups of friends that may leave some students out of the group. Not all groups of students form cliques, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t mistreat one another on occasion. In fact, if your child or teen gets through school without being made fun of or mistreated by their friends at one point or another, they’re very lucky.
It’s not unusual for groups of kids to form cliques; in fact it would probably be more unusual if they didn’t. They’re usually formed among children or teens that share interests such as sports or band. Quite often cliques involving girls can be more hurtful than those with boys, but this is not always the case.
The problems occur when people are kept out of the groups and it causes hurt feelings. You can help your children deal with cliques in school by encouraging them to:
* Find new friends. If your child is being left out, suggest they make new friends who aren’t a part of the clique that hurts them.
* Speak up instead of being quiet. If your child’s friends are turning into a clique, suggest your child speaks up so the clique doesn’t start keeping other people from joining.
* Seek out individuals. Instead of trying to become a part of a group, suggest your child invite one person from the group to go to the movies or something with them. Prepare them for the possibility that their invitation may be rebuffed.
* Don’t let them take the rejection personally. They may feel like there’s something wrong with them that is causing the clique to reject them. The truth is there’s nothing wrong with your child. Help them decide that being a part of that group isn’t all that important and that they are fine just the way they are.
No one wants their child or their teen to be left out of a group or made to feel like they’re not worth being friends with. Yet unfortunately that may happen while they’re a student. Cliques in schools can be hurtful but the way to combat them is to help your child avoid trying to become a part of them and to realize that they’re fine and dandy just the way they are.
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