Thursday, February 7, 2013
The lives of family members are so intertwined. Where does the privacy of your child end and your right to parent begin? Tricky question, for sure. This week, the Parents Yap about privacy.
Melissa Schools “What are you writing about? Are you writing about us??” My nine year old has become an avid consumer of information not necessarily directed at or intended for him. This is especially aggravating because when I speak to him directly, he absorbs roughly a quarter of the information issuing from my mouth. But, oh, how that boy loves to eavesdrop on telephone conversations, read over my shoulder on Facebook and recite any texts that arrive for me when I’m not near my phone. Thank goodness my husband is not into “sexting…!” For a boy who has been straining for independence since he was an infant, it has proven to be a very difficult concept to understand why some things in a parent-child relationship are not a two way street. …
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Love 'em or hate 'em, school projects are a reality. How much should parents be involved? How much do you spend on supplies? Do school projects cause shivers of excitement or feelings of dread... for you AND for your children?
This week, the Parents yap about how they handle school projects in their own homes. Melissa Schools You know, I may sound like a teacher-kiss-up, but I think there is a lot of value to assigning school projects. It’s a good test of whether a student is processing and integrating the lessons taught at school. I’ll tell you why I hate school projects: it shines a harsh light on my own flaws as a person, not to mention as a parent. Blaaaarrrrgh! When you get along with your child like oil and water, no school project will be a peaceful, satisfying experience. I am a frustrated crafter. I used to do all sorts of creative, crafty things before I had kids and even when I only had a couple. I have steadily lost ground as time has gone on and …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Each year, we take some time to eat turkey (or ham or tofurky) and reflect on the abundance in our lives. The Parents decided to share our thoughts publicly. We hope you will too.
Melissa Schools My husband, boys and I are so excited to go to Maine for Thanksgiving! My brother and his family host what becomes a colossal potluck dinner. It's very laid back and the flow of his house makes it so there's plenty of room. Room to eat, room to play games, room to watch football, and there's even room for the customary wrestle mania that happens between the older batch of cousins and the younger batch. This year, the guest count of forty holds four generations, made up of my parents, my siblings, their spouses and kids, and even some kids of those "kids," as well as some friends of the family. I'm so thankful that we all get to spend this holiday together. Having just attended the funeral of a younger friend's dad, I feel …
Melissa Schools
7:06 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
Thank you for your feedback, Robert!I have had some measure of success in letting my son "win" when he keeps a cool head and sticks to the point instead of dissolving into ad hominum attacks-- it seems to be building up a little foundation of trust back up so that I have hope of breaking the cycle we're in. I also have tried to be more deliberate about giving him affection and praise in between … more ›