Importance of Family Dinners and Teens
by Sue Scheff on Sep 27, 2011
Recently a report was released from CASA Columbia about the importance of family dinner. In today’s hectic world, many parents with two jobs, kids in different activities or single parent homes, family dinners can seem impossible.
2011 FAMILY DINNERS REPORT FINDS:
TEENS WHO HAVE INFREQUENT FAMILY DINNERS LIKELIER TO SMOKE, DRINK, USE MARIJUANA
TEENS LIKELIER TO HAVE ACCESS TO ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WHEN FAMILY DINNERS INFREQUENT
NEW YORK, NY, September 22, 2011 – Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are almost four times likelier to use tobacco; more than twice as likely to use alcohol; two-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and almost four times likelier to say they expect to try drugs in the future, according to The Importance of Family Dinners VII, a new report from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia).
The CASA Columbia family dinners report revealed that teens who have infrequent family dinners are likelier to say they have ready access to alcohol, prescription drugs (without a prescription in order to get high) or marijuana. Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners, those who have infrequent family dinners are more likely to be able to get alcohol, prescription drugs or marijuana in an hour or less. In contrast, teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to report having no access to such drugs.
The CASA Columbia family dinners report reveals that 58 percent of teens report having dinner with their families at least five times a week, a proportion that has remained consistent over the past decade.
“This year’s study reinforces the importance of frequent family dinners,” said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia’s Founder and Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. “Ninety percent of Americans who meet the medical criteria for addiction started smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before age 18. Parental engagement in children’s lives is key to raising healthy, drug-free kids and one of the simplest acts of parental engagement is sitting down to the family dinner. Seventeen years of surveying teens has taught us that the more often children have dinner with their families the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.”
Family Relationships Matter
This year’s report examined the quality of family relationships between a child and his or her parents and a child and their sibling(s) and found that teens who report having close family relationships are less likely to smoke, drink or use marijuana.
The family dinners report found that teens having frequent family dinners are more likely to report having excellent relationships with their family members. Compared to teens having infrequent family dinners, teens having frequent family dinners are:
- One-and-a-half times likelier to report having an excellent relationship with their mother;
- More than twice as likely to report having an excellent relationship with their father; and
- Almost twice as likely to report having an excellent relationship with their sibling(s).
Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners, teens who have infrequent family dinners are almost two-and-a-half times likelier to report that their parents do not regularly make time to check in with them.
Less Time Spent with Parents Related to Increased Risk for Substance Abuse
Teens who have frequent family dinners spend more time with their parents overall, and the report finds a relationship between time spent together and teen substance abuse. Compared to teens who spend 21 hours or more per week with their parents, teens spending seven hours or less are twice as likely to use alcohol, and twice as likely to say they expect to try drugs (including marijuana and prescription drugs without a prescription to get high) in the future.
Teen Perceptions of Sibling Substance Use Related to Teen Substance Abuse Risk
Compared to teens who do not believe their older sibling or siblings have ever tried an illegal drug, teens who believe their sibling(s) have are:
- More than five-and-a-half times likelier to use tobacco;
- Almost three times likelier to use alcohol;
- Six-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and
- More than three times likelier to expect to try drugs (including marijuana and prescription drugs without a prescription to get high) in the future.
How often do you have family dinner?
Length of the Family Dinner
The report found that families having frequent dinners spend more time around the dinner table.
Five percent of teens say their family dinners usually last less than 15 minutes; 27 percent say 15 to 20 minutes; 41 percent say 21 to 30 minutes; and 28 percent say dinner usually lasts more than 30 minutes.
Teens having infrequent family dinners are four times likelier to say dinner lasts less than 15 minutes compared to those teens having frequent family dinners. Teens having frequent family dinners are twice as likely to say dinner lasts more than 30 minutes, compared to those teens having infrequent family dinners.
“Although having dinner is the easiest way to create routine opportunities for engagement and communication, dinner isn’t the only time parents can engage with their children,” said Kathleen Ferrigno, CASA Columbia’s Director of Marketing who directs the Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ initiative. “If your schedule can’t be rearranged to include family dinners, engage in other kinds of activities with your children so that you are a reliable, involved, and interested presence in their lives. Remember the magic that happens over family dinners isn’t the food on the table, but the communication and conversations around it. Creating opportunities to connect is what’s important.”
Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™
Family Day is a national movement launched by CASA Columbia in 2001 to remind parents that frequent family dinners make a difference. Celebrated on the fourth Monday in September—the 26th in 2011—Family Day promotes parental engagement as a simple and effective way to reduce children’s risk of smoking, drinking and using illegal drugs. What began as a small grassroots initiative has grown to become a nationwide celebration which is expected to once again be proclaimed and supported by the president, all 50 U.S. governors and the mayors and executives of more than 1,000 cities and counties. This year the first spouses in 26 states are serving as Honorary Chairs of Family Day. Stouffer’s and The Coca-Cola Company once again will serve as leading Sponsors. Ten Major League Baseball teams are celebrating and promoting Family Day and the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, the Wrigley Building in Chicago, the Cira Centre in Philadelphia, the Terminal Tower in Cleveland, and the governor’s residences in Kansas, Nevada and New Jersey are lighting up in red and blue in support of Family Day. For more information about Family Day, visit www.CASAFamilyDay.org or find Family Day on Facebook or Twitter.
The findings in this report come from The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XVI: Teens and Parents, released on August 24, 2011. CASA Columbia used Knowledge Networks to do an Internet-based survey administered to a nationally representative sample of 1,037 teens (546 boys, 491 girls), and 528 of their parents, from March 27 to April 27, 2011. Sampling error is +/- 3.1 for teens and +/- 4.4 for parents. As in the past, CASA Columbia used QEV Analytics to do a survey of trend questions at home by telephone which was administered to a nationally representative sample of 1,006 teens (478 boys, 528 girls) from March 29 to May 9, 2011. Sampling error is +/- 3.1.
CASA Columbia is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat abuse of all substances—alcohol, nicotine, illegal, prescription and performance enhancing drugs—in all sectors of society. Founded in 1992 by former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia and its staff of some 60 professionals aim to inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives, find out what works in prevention and treatment of this disease, and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.
CASA Columbia has issued 76 reports and white papers, published three books, conducted demonstration programs focused on children, families and schools in 36 states and Washington, D.C., held 19 conferences, and has been evaluating drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs to determine what works best for what individuals. The most recent CASA Columbia book, How to Raise a Drug Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., a practical, user friendly book of advice and information for parents, is widely available in paperback. For more information visit www.casacolumbia.org.
Parenting Tips to Get your Kids Off the Couch!
by Sue Scheff on Sep 05, 2011
Labor Day is usually the day before many that haven’t started school already – will get into their new schedules again shortly. Here is a great guest post with tips to get your kids moving and off that couch!
“Yeah, OK, Whatever”
By Pasha Lubeck
School has just begun and that means one thing: Kids are going to be busy doing homework routines and projects.
Though kids need to focus on their studies, the little ones also need to have some playtime and enjoy themselves. After all, they are still kids. But playtime at present day has a new meaning. Oftentimes, it involves playing video games. This robs kids of real childhood. What they have right now is “backseat” or indoor childhood—a term that is used to refer to how children these days opt to stay inside the house and play video games.
Obesity in children is more common than ever because kids don’t spend time outdoors to work up a sweat.[1] And in the last couple of years, more children are being treated for depression because they don’t get to spend time with nature.
So for our children to have a happy childhood, we need to get them off the couch and spend time playing outdoors. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Be a good role model. It’s hard to usher kids outside the door if you’ve camped out on the couch yourself. Parents need to set a good example to show their kids why it’s great to spend some time outside the house and exercise. Do something that will pump up the blood. You don’t need to run a marathon just to get your heart rate up. Hit the trail or play some sports with the kids. If the snow starts to build up by wintertime, you can go skiing, skating or sledding.
- Participate in organized activities. Many organizations provide tours and outings for families. These are a great opportunity for you and the kids to bond and have fun outdoors. Take them out for a scavenger hunt or join a museum tour. Go for a hike with a big group of people or have a picnic at a nearby park.
- Take a walk in your neighborhood. Walking in your neighborhood may sound too simple to be fun. But you’ll be surprised at how much your children can learn about your town by simply taking a stroll. Make the activity more interesting by visiting historical spots around the city. Check out the local library for more information about your locality. You can also take a look at some recreation centers in your area and play some sports.
- Schedule a “green hour”. Learning about nature doesn’t have to happen in the classroom alone. Bring the kids out to the backyard and check out the little critters that happily run around your garden. Build a bug box or a bird feeder to invite animals to your garden. If time and budget permit, take a trip to a nature park or a beach and enjoy the scenery. The breath of fresh air can do wonders for a child’s mental, physical and emotional health.
- Assign chores. It may not sound like a very likeable activity, but children love to help out inside the home. Assign age-appropriate tasks for your kids. Little ones can help picking up toys while the older ones can help sort out the laundry. This teaches them responsibility and at the same time keeps them from spending too much time in front of the TV or playing video games.
Though, I don’t have anything against video games (as some of these can be educational), I am completely not in favor of letting kids slump on the couch and having them play with their Xboxes and Wiis for as long as they want. Yes, parents are concerned about their kids not having enough unstructured time outside of school. But giving them the freedom to do exactly as they please (that is, to play video games and watch TV shows for an indefinite amount of time) is not being helpful at all.
About the Author:
Pasha Lubeck is a passionate freelance interior designer. She is based in California and works part-time for Kichler Superstore. A hands-on mom, Pasha spends most of her free time outdoors with her two beautiful boys.
[1] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10608360/ns/health-more_health_news/t/keep-kids-moving-when-weather-frightful/
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Tags: parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Tips
Caylee’s Law: It is too late for Caylee, but don’t let it happen again
by Sue Scheff on Jul 11, 2011
If you don’t live under a rock, like 12 jurors from Pinellas County Florida do, you probably know the outrageous verdict that literally condones child abuse and neglect.
Since this unbelievable verdict chilled the entire world, it has prompted lawmakers to create a bill called Caylee’s Law.
If you think about this – we have come to a sad time in our society when we need to invoke a law that mandates a parent report a child missing. What parent wouldn’t?
We are not talking about frequent runaway teens, we are talking about toddlers. Even parents I speak with weekly have teens they report as runaways – although they may know where they are, these parents fear for the safety of their teens.
Now because 12 people, would refused to show their face after making such a major blunder, are not only showing their ignorance through the 2 alternates that spoke, and the one, Jennifer Ford who decided getting a free trip to Disney from ABC was worth sharing her idiocy with us, we are forced to get laws into effect that a layman can understand. It is told through media, that juror number 12 has left the state. Will guilt follow her? The fact these 12 people “ran” from the courthouse after only deliberating for about 11 hours is very telling.
I would assume many could understand if an educated and sound reason was behind their decision – but so far, we haven’t heard or seen anything. As juror #3, Jennifer Ford, fumbled through her interviews of “what, where, who, why, how” it makes you wonder if she really was in the courtroom at all. It also makes you wonder if they read and “understood” the jury instructions. Circumstantial evidence IS evidence – and this they had plenty of.
USA Today reported that over two thirds of our country is outraged. We have a right to be. Justice for Caylee was not done – the jurors walked away from their civic duty – even having the nerve to say they believe she killed her child but don’t know how? Guess they were asleep for 6 weeks.
It is blatantly obvious these jurors were oblivious to Florida’s State Statue for child abuse and neglect.
Reads in part: “Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm”
Tags: Child Abuse
Sun Life Rising Star Award: Helping Youths with Education
by Sue Scheff on May 24, 2011
Sun Life Financial Seeking Grant Applications from South Florida Non-profit Organizations for Sun Life Rising Star Awards
Sun Life Financial invites organizations to apply for $220,000 in grants and scholarships that provide educational opportunities and promote financial stability in under-served youth
Wellesley, MA (May 24, 2011) – Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE: SLF, TSX: SLF) and the Miami Dolphins announced today they are seeking Sun Life Rising Star Award grant applications from non-profit organizations in South Florida that advocate for youth from under-served communities. Applications are now available at www.SunLifeStadium.com/RisingStar. The deadline for submissions is July 1.
The Sun Life Rising Star Award program is designed to improve the lives of under-served youth by providing financial resources and education to students and non-profit organizations committed to increasing success in high school and beyond. Each winning organization will receive a $50,000 grant and other unique resources. Additionally as part of the application process, each organization will nominate an exemplary student for a $5,000 Sun Life Rising Star scholarship to help finance a college education, with the goal of helping students achieve long-term financial stability.
Now in its second year, the program will again invest more than $1 million to outstanding students and non-profit organizations in major markets across the country, including Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and South Florida. The Sun Life Rising Star Awards program is the educational cornerstone program of the Miami Dolphins Foundation.
“Financial security and sustainability are the building blocks of the Sun Life brand, and that’s why it’s a priority for us to continue investing in and improving the lives of these outstanding students who are committed to furthering their education,” said Sun Life Financial U.S. President Wes Thompson. “It is our intention that the Sun Life Rising Star Awards serve as a catalyst to help these incredibly talented and deserving students and organizations embark on a path to a sound financial future.”
To be considered for a Sun Life Rising Star Award grant, organizations must have 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status and promote skills that directly translate to educational success in high school to students under the age of 21. Applications will be reviewed by a local judging panel consisting of community leaders and senior-level educators.
As part of the application process, each non-profit will nominate an outstanding student from its organization for a chance to receive a $5,000 college scholarship. Nominees must be high school seniors actively involved in an organization that shares the Sun Life Rising Star Awards’ mission; they must also plan to pursue post-secondary education, exhibit leadership qualities, and demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities. Nominated students are required to submit a 750-word essay on how financial education contributes to future success.
Tags: College Scholarships
Top 50 Blogs for Teen Parents
by Sue Scheff on May 17, 2011
Far more than a subject for an MTV show or platform for the daughter of a former vice presidential candidate, teenage mothering is a very serious topic. The practice of babies having babies can affect the whole family from parent to child and even grandparent. With times getting more difficult, it can be increasingly hard to find the time and/or money to speak with a professional.
If struggling with the issue of teen parenting, have a look at these top 50 blogs for teen parents. No matter if you are the teen parent, the parent of a teen parent, or even the grandparent, there is something for you written by everyone from teen mothers to pediatricians.
Top Blogs for Teen Parents by Teens
Get a blog just for or by teenage parents in the below.
- I’m a Teenage Mom Abby O’Neill likes to talk about immaturity and being a parent with plenty of it. In the blogging business since 2006, she has loads of posts to share on it. Words of wisdom and recommendations are often given through blog posts.
- Teen Parent TV Because teens would rather watch television than read, there is this blog. Entries come in both written and video form. There are also channels for teen mothers, fathers, and even grandparents.
- Teen Parents Blog Visit here for the official blog of the Capital District YFC’s Teen Parents Team. It features news, updates, prayer requests, and the occasional random thought. Be sure to visit their main site with more.
- Teen Advice Blog Loads of bloggers stop by here to write about many issues surrounding teens. There is also a special section for teen pregnancy that has loads on what to expect. Other categories include health issues, school, family, and more.
- National Teen Pregnancy Get the latest headlines in teen parenting and pregnancy from the Examiner. It gathers all the relevant news from all the contributors to one convenient place. A recent one was on the Freedom Condom.
- Teen Parenting Families.com is a site that has loads of blog entries concerning the family. In this special section, they focus on teen parenting. Recent entries contain a true story of a teen mom and changes in attitudes towards teen pregnancy.
- Teen Diaries This blog is a life guide for young urban women. What guide would be complete without a section on teen parenting? Several bloggers take on the topic as well as many others important to teen girls.
- Teen Mom Blog If you love the MTV show “Teen Mom” and all its spin-offs, click here. The blogger here keeps news updates and details on girls from the show. Links to whole items are often shared.
Top Blogs for Parenting Teens
Because teens still have parents of their own, there are these blogs.
- Parenting Teens Denise Witmer has worked with adolescents for years and is active in teen development and living programs. Her goal is to help parents with the various issues surrounding their teens from sexuality to answering real questions. She even has videos on projects to do with teens and how to teach them to drive.
- Sue Scheff Blog She is the founder of Parents’ Universal Resource Experts. Sue has
tons of knowledge on parenting and has more on teens including at risk teens, bullying, cell phone dangers, and other topics. Be sure not to miss her main site and podcasts with more. - LA Parenting Teens Examiner Published author Evelyn B. Block has almost 30 years of experience working with teens as a child and family therapist. She also spends her time as an educator, consultant, and parent when not authoring this blog. Recent entries were on how to teach teens money skills.
- Teen Advice Parenting Barbara McRae is the bestselling author of “Coach Your Teen to Success,” host of Bridging the GAP Radio Show, and founder of Teen Frontier International. Her blog is full of success stories of parents who have overcome obstacles in teen parenting. There are also many podcasts containing her expert advice.
- Parenting my Teen This blog and podcast is all about you and your teens. Categories include everything from divorce to teen dating. In addition to regular blog posts, you can also get many episodes available over the web.
- Troubled Teen Blog Get support with families with troubled teens on this blog. It is a place to share stories, gain support, and help others in their parenting teen journey. A recent entry was on a rebellious teen leaving home.
- Parenting Teens Online Visit here for many resources for parents of teenagers. Podcasts and articles cover everything from alcohol to technology. A recent entry was on how parents can make a difference in teen pregnancy.
Top Pregnancy Blogs for Teen Parents
Learn more about the scariest nine months of a mother’s life in these blogs.
- Pregnancy and Childbirth Robin Elise Weiss is a childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, doula trainer, and lactation counselor. With eight children of her own, she knows all about pregnancy and childbirth firsthand. Check out her blog for topics such as what to expect during labor, dealing with doctors, and much more.
- Pregnancy Health Examiner Jasmine Jafferali is a maternal, child, and family health educator.
Her mission is to teach women to take charge of their health and well-being. With a growing family of her own, she often shares news items of interests as well as expert thoughts. - Belly Itch JJ is many things, including a leading pregnancy blogger. Her site often gets notoriety for unique entries on pregnancy in the news, expecting celebrities, and much more. She often also shares true stories of mothers to be.
- Fit Pregnancy All expecting mothers gain weight, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing by stopping here. Popular articles include the first trimester, product recalls, and pregnancy hunger. Be sure not to miss the many sub-blogs.
- ABC Family Arwen first began this blog years ago as a way to document her conception journey. It is now a family blog that is all about her two little blessings. With a third on the way, it is also a top notch pregnancy blog.
- Pregnant Women and Babies Lily of the Valley is a philosopher by training, counselor, wife, and mother. She often blogs on the spiritual aspects of it all. Popular posts include sinus infections and mastitis.
- Pregnancy Weekly This is an online magazine about pregnancy, baby, and parenting. Part of a site of the same name, they offer quick links such as an A to Z of topics and a baby name finder. You can also use it to customize your very own pregnancy calendar.
- ItsaBelly Melissa Moog thought of this blog when she was searching for a car seat. After doing loads of related research, she decided to share what she has learned with other expectant mothers. The blog is now a leading choice for those overwhelmed with information and needing to make sense of it all.
- Good Pregnancy Guide Pregnancy advice and information on expecting is shared here. In addition to the many guides on pregnancy, you can get tips for after baby as well. The latest news includes saving money and natural pain relief.
- Pregtastic Get loads of radio programs over the web by visiting here. Sunny is both host and producer of this weekly show celebrating the road to motherhood. Get information on topics such as prenatal nutrition and birthing options, or check out the blog for the newest.
Top Expert Blogs for Teen Parents
These medical professionals have loads more to say on pregnancy and parenting.
- News Moms Need Everyone knows the March of Dimes has a mission to help mothers and mothers in training get up to date health information. The blog continues in that tradition. Categories include planning for a baby, pregnancy, and even a Mother of the Day.
- Pediatrics Vincent Iannelli is a board certified pediatrician and part of the
American Academy of Pediatrics. He is the author of “The Everything Father’s First Year Book” and has loads of advice for parents. Must reads include a symptom checker, height predictor, and symptoms of measles. - 10 Centimeters and Beyond Nurse Lochia is a night shift labor delivery nurse in the Midwest. She is also a mother of four children and has seen the stirrups from both sides. A standout choice for entries as both a parent and a healthcare professional.
- At Your Cervix This blog is often a popular choice and probably has much to do with the title. However, Joy also includes expert entries on the experience of giving birth. She is also studying nursing and shares more.
- Life and Times of an L&D Nurse Deb is a Southern California mom who works as a labor and delivery nurse. She writes about both her daughter and life at the hospital. She is also studying and writes all about it.
- Doctor Mama She is a physician, mother, and educator with a son. Everything she says “is right, especially if it’s about running.” Get entries on work, mommy life, and more with a visit.
- Painfully Speaking Jessica is a mother of two boys and a labor nurse. She is also a sufferer of chronic head pain. She first experienced it during her second pregnancy and has written about it since.
- Stand and Deliver Rixa shares reflections on pregnancy, birth, and mothering here. She even has a special section on breeches. Popular posts include what giving birth feels like and a ring sling tutorial.
- Ob/Gyn Kenobi Dr, Whoo plays one in real life but alters names and places for privacy. An actual OB/GYN, there are loads of expert advice on the blog. One of the most recent was on do’s and don’ts.
Top Midwife Blogs for Teen Parents
Also experts on childbirth, check out the blogs of these midwives, doulas, and more.
- Birth Sense Aka the Midwife Next Door, she features a common sense guide to normal birth. Sections include what to expect from a midwife, cesarean births, and more. A recent entry was on the evidence of risk on vaccinations.
- Dou-la-la In addition to being a doula in training, she is a birth advocate and
childbirth educator. Also a lactation consultant, she is gravitating towards becoming a midwife. Blog posts are on related items and things that interest her. - Conscious Birth Blog This blog is authored by a nurse midwife and certified lactation consultant. Kristina’s philosophy is “empowerment through knowledge, birth by instinct.” She is also the author of a book on breastfeeding and has more.
- Enjoy Birth Visit here for a more empowering and enjoyable pregnancy and birth. Sheridan is the mother of three boys and a hypno-doula. Learn more about what she does and how she does it with a visit.
- Hypnobabies Stop here for another blog on hypno-birthing. In addition to the blog, you can get a free CD on the topic. There are also many birth stories to keep you busy.
- Navelgazing Midwife She is a licensed and certified professional midwife who is currently doing monitrice and doula work. With a work history dating back to 1983, she is no stranger to the subject. She is also a proud grandmother and shares more.
- Birth at Home Don’t think you can give birth at home? Diana, a homebirth midwife, runs into that a lot. See more on the topic as well as natural childbirth with a visit.
- Birth Unplugged Brittany is a stay-at-home mom of two and a former preschool teacher. She is currently studying to become certified as a birth doula through Childbirth International. A recent entry was an instructional on how to get your partner to agree to a birth plan.
- Midwifery/Comadrona Eunice Romero provides holistic traditional homebirth midwifery care in Florida. She specializes in home birth and water birthing services. Get true life stories on what she does with a read.
- The Unnecesariean Jill and others author this blog for patient advocacy and on the practice of cesarean surgeries. Click to get an overview and tips for avoiding one. One of the latest posts was on the perceptions of giving birth at home.
Top Grandparent Blogs for Teen Parents
- Because many teenage parents turn to their parents when pregnant, check out these blogs by and for grandparents. Although many of the above top 50 blogs for teen parents are written by professionals and medical experts, see a licensed physician of your own before following any of the advice they give.
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- Nanahood Learn about the second half of the mothering journey in this blog. Teresa has loads of tips and product reviews for mothers. A recent entry was on the joys of napping.
- Nana’s Corner This grandmother is a high school special education teacher with
three grandchildren. Proving that you’re never too old to learn technology, she blogs on parenting, grandparenting, and teaching. Useful posts are on activities, recipes, product reviews, and much more. - Grandparents Susan Adcox is a former English and journalism teacher with seven grandchildren. She believes that grandparents can greatly enrich the lives of their grandchildren, and her goal is to help them find more ways to do so. Must reads on her blog include choosing a grandmother name and visitation rights.
- SandwichINK This blog is written exclusively for the Sandwich Generation. That is, those who are dealing with the issues of caring for both their elderly parents and babysitting grandchildren. Categories include issues, caring, Bible verses, saving money, and more.
- A Grandparent’s Voice Pam Loxley Drake is a 63 year-old grandma living in the state of Oregon. She provides a unique voice for women at this point in their life. A recent entry was on the “Once Upon a Time” of parenting.
- Grandma’s Briefs Get “bits and bytes of life’s second act” here. Lisa is a laid off newspaper editor looking to keep her writing muscle flexed and finding a way through her blog. Children and grandchildren are often the topics of posts.
Source: Online Classes for College visit http://www.onlineclassesforcollege.org/
Tags: Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Pregnant Teens, Teen Issues
The 10 Most Stereotypical Graduation Songs
by Sue Scheff on May 05, 2011
What was your graduation song?
As cool as high school seniors think they are, graduation season is the perfect excuse for waxing nostalgia on days that haven’t even ended yet. From the pop kids to the hipsters to the band geeks, stereotypical songs aren’t just allowed, they’re celebrated and played on repeat all month long. Here are 10 that’ll make you burst with pride and make you weep as you hang up your cap and gown in anticipation of graduation day.
- Pomp and Circumstance: We’d be surprised if any high school — or college — graduate in the United States didn’t march into the auditorium or onto the field to this song, either blasted by a two-bit stereo system or played by the school band. Composed by Sir Edward Elgar but named for a verse in Othello, March No. 1 in D minor is the typically American version. “The Graduation March” is the Trio section of the song, originally called “Land of Hope and Glory,” first played at a graduation at Yale in 1905, the year Elgar received an honorary Doctorate of Music from that school.
- “It’s the End of the World as We Know It:” R.E.M’.s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” is both a rational nod to moving on to college (or whatever comes after high school) and also a raucous ballad for teens who are still convinced their world can’t get any better than their high school friends have made it. Released on R.E.M.’s 1987 album Document, the song has been used to comment on various pop culture moments, including the final outcome of the 2004 presidential election.
- “Time of Your Life:” While the official name of the song is “Good Riddance,” this Green Day classic is a melancholy ode to leaving friends and classmates behind as time marches on and life becomes more and more “unpredictable.”
- “Here’s to the Night:” Eve 6′s 2000 single “Here’s to the Night” is the ultimate graduation night and prom night song, giving high schoolers the perfect Carpe Diem courage for last-chance hook-ups, toasts and reconciliations. With an opener like “So denied so I lied are you the now or never kind//In a day and a day love I’m gonna be gone for good again/Are you willing to be had are you cool with just tonight/Here’s a toast to all those who hear me all too well,” how can you not raise a Solo cup to your awesome 6th period art history class?
- “I’ll Be There For You:” For any former teen who grew up during the Friends era, The Rembrandts’ “I’ll Be There For You” probably inspired photo and video montages of their own best friends moments, played at Sweet 16s, sports banquets, and of course, graduation parties. It’s the ultimate “we may be going our different ways, but I’ll always love you” song that’s so irresistible around graduation time.
- “We are the Champions:” Graduating high school seniors are on top of the world — and they know it. They love it. Which is why Queen’s “We are the Champions” is the perfect ego booster for an already high group of teenagers just waiting for another excuse to celebrate how awesome they’ve been for the past four years — and how much cooler they’re going to get during the next phase of their lives.
- “The Graduation Song:” Pop group Vitamin C came out with this song the year that the class of 2000 graduated high school. Local radio stations invited groups of seniors into their studios to record their favorite high school memories and interjected them into the song — cheesy but brilliant for building an instant fan base. Even the video for the song is all about high school — football players “winning” during practice, paper airplane flights in class, and cheerleaders toe-touching in the hallways. The most bubble-gum pick on our list, “The Graduation Song” is admittedly kind of cute.
- “School’s Out:” If you’re into something a little harder, Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” single from 1972 is a good choice, though its lyrics are still pretty tame: the “school’s been blown to pieces,” but kids sing “No more pencils/No more books/No more teacher’s dirty looks.” A perfect anthem for graduates skipping college for other work, travel or military pursuits, especially.
- “Graduation Day:” The Beach Boys recorded this song in 1964, and it was played at numerous graduations and ceremonies in the decades after. “At the senior prom/We danced till three/and there you gave your heart to me” are sugary lyrics for today’s seniors, but it was clearly a favorite back in the day — just listen to those screams as the song wraps on YouTube.
- “Time of My Life:” Memorizing Dirty Dancing should still be a rite of passage for preteen girls everywhere, if only to culminate in a high school prom or graduation party dance-off (and sing-along) to Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’s “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” It’s got a light romantic connotation, but “I’ve had the time of my life/No I never felt this way before/Yes I swear, it’s the truth/And I owe it all to you” is also a sweet expression of thanks to teachers, parents, friends and mentors. This song even got those two old ladies dancing at the end.
Special contributor: Kaitlyn Cole
Tags: College Graduation
10 Youngest College Students of All Time
by Sue Scheff on Apr 28, 2011
For most of us, conquering the classes it takes to get a college degree is hard enough at 18, but for some super smart individuals out there, higher education begins a whole lot earlier. As amazing as it is, some kids are ready to take it all on before they’ve even hit the double digits, graduating with a PhD before they’re old enough to vote. Here are some of the youngest students the world’s colleges have ever seen, showing what it truly means to be a child prodigy.
Michael Kearney. This bright young man proves that having a disability like ADHD shouldn’t hold you back if you’ve got the brains. At only four years old, Michael aced the John Hopkins diagnostic for a precocious math test, without having studied for it at all. Those math skills would pay off over the next few years, as he would graduate from high school at six. That same year, Kearney enrolled at the Santa Rosa Junior College, completing an Associate’s in geology at age 8 and going on to finish his Bachelor’s degree by age 10, making him the world’s youngest university graduate. Kearney went on to get his Master’s in biochemistry and later taught classes at Vanderbilt University while he was working on a second master’s in computer science.
Moshe Kai Cavalin. A passion for astrophysics pushed this young student forward. Moshe enrolled in college at East Los Angeles College at age eight, graduating in 2009 with an impressive 4.0 GPA and full honors. As for his career post-college, Moshe isn’t rushing anything. He decided to take a year off to rest, learn to scuba dive, write a book and hone his already sharp martial arts skills. He plans to return to school to complete a degree in astrophysics, but with a Bachelor’s under his belt at 11, he’s in no hurry.
Alia Sabur. Young Alia Sabur alerted her parents to her talents at an early age, reading when she was only eight months old. Alia started out elementary school like any normal student, but teachers soon realized she would be better off in college and she went straight from 4th grade into a degree program at Stony Brook University when she was just 10 years old. She graduated summa cum laude from there with a BS in applied mathematics and moved onto Drexel, where she completed her PhD in materials science engineering. She holds the Guinness record for being the youngest full university professor, appointed to the faculty at Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea when she was 18 years old. Sabur is a standout researcher and thinker in her field, winning awards from NASA, the Department of Defense, GAANN and the NSF, as well as a gifted musician who has performed with world-class performers at Julliard.
Adragon De Mello. De Mello’s story is sadder one among all of these standout students. Pushed by his father to excel, De Mello was always a bright child and completed his bachelor’s degree in computational mathematics at the University of California, Santa Cruz at only 11 years old. His father saw him earning a PhD, teaching and winning a Nobel Prize all before he turned 18. Yet this pressure proved to be too much, both for De Mello and his parent’s relationship. They separated and De Mello ended up in foster care for a short time before eventually going to live with his mother. Despite having already completed a college degree, De Mello longed for a normal life and enrolled in middle school and high school. Today, De Mello is working at Home Depot and planning a career as a commercial estimator for a painting company — something he’s fine with, as he says those academic dreams were his father’s, not his own.
Gregory Smith. There was never a doubt that this young man would turn out to be a brainiac. At 14 months he was already reciting books, and at 18 months was completing math problems. He finished his elementary school education in only a year, high school in two and enrolled at Randolph-Macon College at the age of ten. Smith graduated with honors at age 13 and is now working towards his PhD in mathematics, the first of several degrees he plans to obtain. Smith isn’t just a standout in school, however, as he engages in activist and aid work in East Timor, Sao Paulo, Rwanda and Kenya. It isn’t just a pet project — Smith has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize four times, the first when he was just 12 years old.
Colin Carlson. Colin Carlson was a bright child from the get-go, reading books on his own at age 2 and already taking college level classes at UConn when he was a mere 9 years old. He officially enrolled at the university at age 11, after graduating from Stanford University Online High School. Today, Carlson is 13 years old and still working towards his degree at UConn, pursuing a degree in Biology with a focus in natural ecosystems. You may have heard of Colin through recent news items, as he is suing the university for not allowing him to take a course which requires fieldwork in South Africa (his mother would accompany him) — a clear case of age discrimination, he claims.
Akrit Jaswal. Jaswal’s nickname is the “modern-day Doogie Howser,” and for good reason. This precocious young man was admitted to college at only 11 years old. Yet even before he was a college student, he practiced medicine. Jaswal performed his first surgery at the age of seven, helping out an impoverished family whose daughter needed a simple surgical procedure to separate her fingers. Today, Jaswal is working towards degrees in botany, chemistry and zoology at Punjab University, and is hoping to one day attend Harvard to study medicine.
Kathleen Holtz. If you aren’t familiar with this young woman’s story, you likely soon will be, as it is being made into a TV series starring Hillary Duff. Kathleen was a bright student early on and started college at California State, LA at age ten. She graduated in four years magna cum laude with a degree in philosophy and began law school at the UCLA School of Law at age 15. In 2007, she became the state of California’s (and perhaps the nation’s) youngest lawyer, passing the bar and completing her legal training at age 18. Today, Holtz works as a business litigation attorney with the Troy Guild in LA, trying and winning several cases even as a rookie lawyer.
Sho Yano. Sho Yano is currently thought to have one of the highest IQs in the world, measured at an impressive 200. Homeschooled from an early age, Yano was ready to enter college by age 8, dominating his SATs with a score of 1,500 (out of a possible 1,600). By age nine, Yano was taking university level courses at Loyola University Chicago in topics like writing, biology, math and chemistry and completing research on a wide range of topics. By 12 he had graduated and was on to the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Chicago to work on his MD and PhD in molecular genetics and cell biology. At age 18, Yano had completed his PhD and today is working to finish up his MD.
Tathagat Avatar Tulsi. Today Tulsi works as a physicist but his reputation for being a child prodigy hasn’t been forgotten. He completed high school at age 9, earned his BS at 10 and a MS at 12 from Patna Science College. He didn’t stop there, however, completing his PhD at the Indian Institute of Science at age 21– and age when most students haven’t even finished their bachelor’s — making him the youngest student in India to hold a doctorate. After graduation, Tulsi has gone on to teach at IIT Bombay and is currently working on research related to quantum search algorithms.
Special contributor: Emma Tayor – emma.taylor15@gmail.com.
Tags: Academics, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Teen Depression
Summer is almost here! Seriously?
by Sue Scheff on Dec 16, 2010
Well, seriously there are children in our country that depend on the generosity of others and charities such as The Fresh Air Fund. They have asked me to share with my readers that at this holiday time to remind you to consider giving to children in need – and kids that work hard all year long at school to enjoy a fun-filled summer. The Fresh Air Fund is an answer to many of their prayers and dreams!
Press Release:
Summer may seem far away, but NYC children are currently participating in Fresh Air programs, from weekly tutoring sessions to job shadowings to weekend retreats at Fund camps in upstate New York! Our Career Awareness Program serves more than 300 youngsters in middle and high school. We also have new leadership programs for young women to develop their “can-do” attitudes!
No matter the season, Fresh Air children remain involved, excited and forward-thinking. We need loyal friends like you to continue serving thousands of New York City children throughout the year. Thank you!
To make a donation, please click here.
Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.
Whether it’s a two-week trip to the country to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our fund camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.
Just $10 will send one child on a bus ride to his or her Friendly Town host family.- $24 provides a child with a week of swimming lessons.
- $42 provides a day of Career Awareness classes.
- A gift of $50 can fund a camp counselor for a day.
- If you can give as much as $91, you provide a child at camp with meals for a week.
We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.
Camp News
Shape Magazine Features the Precious Center for Teen Leadership
After the Precious Center for Teen Leadership opened its doors this summer at Camp Anita Bliss Coler, word of this fantastic resource for young women quickly spread. Shape magazine editors traveled up to camp to share their expertise and dedication to fitness, education and career development with the ABC leadership campers. But there’s even more – Shape editors were eager to hear directly from the girls about their time at camp and meet some of the incredible young women who have the opportunity to live and learn at the Precious Center.
Todrick Hall Visits Camp
An excited buzz filled the air when American Idol’s Todrick Hall paid a visit this past August. Todrick loved Fresh Air Camp so much that he left well past bedtime! Not only did Todrick meet our campers, but he also got to see some of their favorite camp activities, such as swimming at the
waterfront and working on our Model Farm.
Over at Camp Hidden Valley, Todrick arrived just in time for their “Event Day” celebrations. Hidden Valley campers had spent the whole day trying to rescue dance, song, beats and soul back from the villains who had descended on camp – and in appreciation for all their hard work at “saving the music,” Todrick performed at dinner and was soon surrounded by autograph requests from every child!
We already knew that Camp ABC campers and counselors weren’t a silent bunch. They sure do know how to show their excitement and enthusiasm! When Todrick unexpectedly walked into the Camp ABC dining hall, the girls broke out in screams of surprise, joy and laughter. We hope it
didn’t scare away the wildlife at ABC!
Fresh Air Fund Host Families
“It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child’s face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted…”
Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!
Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!
Tags: Community Service, Summer Camps
Dove Self-Esteem Weekend
by Sue Scheff on Oct 23, 2010
Wow – so fantastic!!!!
After stopping at the St. Johns Public Library to drop off some Self-Esteem Activity Guides, that Lisa will be passing out (and they are also available on the front tables), I went down to the St. Johns Election Building (yes, for early voting) and happen to run into two mothers with their daughters. In the parking lot, after doing our civic duty (voting), I got a chance to talk to these initial strangers.
The two girls considered themselves BFF’s – and of course wore those Silly Banz – almost matching! At 10 years-old I was so impressed at how they were very secure with who they are and how they protect each other. It got me to thinking, I never really thought about a BFF being your shield against bullying, but also your source of self-confidence.
With their mothers there, they both said they were glad their moms were active in their schools (honestly, this isn’t the norm in today’s world), yet their mother’s both didn’t realize how important it was to their daughters. So it was like they had a moment where they realized that their daughters recognized how lucky they were that their moms were part of their world.
Okay, yes, they were only 10 years-old, I guess it could change, but I have a feeling these people are on a good path.
I immediately gave them both Dove’s new products – (which Dove generously sent to be given out to mothers and daughters).
No – I didn’t ask who they voted for…. figured we would leave on a positive note!
Old Dogs, New Math: Homework Help for Puzzled Parents
by Sue Scheff on Sep 27, 2010
It just arrived! Old Dogs, New Math – Homework Help for Puzzled Parents, which was me – but it was a decade ago! Today my kids are grown and my youngest just graduated college. I remember those days, even if they were 10 years ago, when that homework came home. It was a struggle – for me to help my kids. You would have never known that Math was my favorite subject and I always loved numbers and Algebra – yes, school is completely different today!
I am going to pass this book on to my sister, as my niece struggles today in her first year of middle school. She is anxiously waiting for it. I would save this book for my grandchildren, however at 3 and 1 years old, I think Math may even change more by the time they get to school.
Do you need this book?
“Can you help me with my math homework?”
If, like most parents, this question fills you with a sense of dread
(or even panic), then this is the book for you.
So much for the “good old days” when elementary students simply memorized their times tables and struggled through long division. Today, students are expected not just to find the right answer, but also to choose the best method for doing so—and to explain why it works.
On top of that, students are learning new strategies—even for basic arithmetic—that look foreign to many parents: What are open number lines, decomposing and nets, and how do you multiply on a grid?
If your attempts to help your child are met with “That’s not how the teacher does it,” then it’s time to take the stress out of math homework. Old Dogs, New Math is your guide to the changing world of elementary school math, including:
- Number lines, place value and negative numbers
- Long multiplication and division
- Fractions, percentages and decimals
- Shapes, symmetry and angles
- Data analysis, probability and chance
Complete with sample questions, examples of children’s errors, and over 25 games and activities, Old Dogs, New Math will not only demystify math, but also help you and your child discover math all around you—and have fun doing it!
Order on Amazon today!
Tags: Homework Stress, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Books, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Teen Depression
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