Girls and science just don't mix. At least that's the message that comes from report after report including one on the underrepresentation of women in science and math from the American Association of University Women. The study, released last year, found that even though women have made some strides in these fields, stereotypes and cultural biases still stymie their success. What's needed? In the end, the study stressed the need for more parental involvement and female role models. For sure, parents can help drive their daughters' interests in science by infusing home life with science …
Livingston is debating pouring its state aid into technology's newest gadgets, including laptops, document cameras and interactive white boards. Read through the latest news on EdTech and the possibilities to expand learning opportunities seem endless, from virtual global field trips to video conferencing. But there’s a groundswell of argument in Livingston that the money be earmarked to restore programs cut last year (Spanish in Grades K-3) or outsourced, including a gifted and talented program, middle school sports, and paraprofessionals – the teaching aides who work with children with …
I have had that call, when a parent picks up the phone to tell me what shouldn’t have happened at my house. And my friend Evelyn received that call last week. As you know, if you live in the middle or high school realm, Glee’s new season has begun. As you may also know, the show includes singing, dancing, and suggestive banter and situations. Evelyn has three kids, and her youngest, Claudia, had a guest over. She and the guests did what eighth grade girls do: they giggled about boys, made brownies and ate the mix before it was baked, and pretended to study science. Fine, thought Evelyn, who …
When I was a teen, spending the weekend with friends at the Livingston Mall was something to do. We’d walk the mall in our group, spending money, our Lancer varsity jackets a magnet to meet other teens from rival sports towns. The mall has always been a gathering place for teens. And make no mistake, the mall caters to this crowd: Teens spend serious cash. So when did Friday night turn into a threatened “Hell Night?” That was the social media buzz word for a Facebook event targeting Livingston Mall just as it did downtown South Orange and Jersey Gardens Mall before. The event fizzled before …
“I watched Nixon resign on television when I was a kid." That was my sole and unwelcome contribution to an argument at a neighbor’s house. Amy and her son, Eric, were negotiating how late he could stay up to watch the Oscars. Amy felt that an early bedtime on a Sunday night, after a week without school, was the way to go. Eric felt that if he didn’t watch the Oscars, he would be out of the swim of seventh grade conversation the next day. The compromise, taping the program to watch the next night, didn’t appeal to Eric. “That doesn’t work with a show like this,” he said. True, as the point is …
“Mom, can I have a playdate?” It’s a question that’s become part of the air I breathe. Ever since my kids could talk, they’ve been begging for playmates other than their own sibling. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A playdate is a time for kids to bond with classmates and/or friends, compare Beyblades, play with Barbies, or show off their pet du jour. It’s also a chance for them to experience, to some degree, the parenting styles of others. While the activities at a playdate vary depending on age or shared interests, the etiquette surrounding them is pretty standard: do unto …
There are some parenting conversations that are almost too hot button to even approach. One of the hottest has got to be “to spank or not to spank.” Many parents will say this is a “very personal decision.” I don’t agree. I think that hitting a child — even in the name of, let’s say, teaching him the danger of running into the middle of the street — is more of a release of frustration or anger for the parent, as opposed to a long-term effective means of discipline. Unlike choosing between public or private school or carefully deciding when to take away the pacifier, I don’t think spanking is …
My children have partied well. They’ve ridden ponies, wrapped snakes around their necks, and greeted a New York Yankee, all in suburban backyards. An American Girl doll party, for dolls and girls, had food and entertainers brought in from the New York American Girl store. A carnival party meant rides, the moon bounce, and clowns doing the old clown car act, all brought in from Manhattan for the day. That party included cotton candy and snow cone machines staffed by local teens; another party I recall had an ice cream truck pull up. The treats were distributed by a costumed Spiderman and …
Welcome to the world of having more than one child. When my son was an only child, he had no with whom to fight, but he also had no one with whom to play. Now, with all the snow days we’ve had, my kids are acting like Rock’Em Sock’Em Robots. So what can you do? Try these tactics for when the kids are at war: Take a deep breath and prepare yourself to deal (or not deal) with the conflict. You, as the parent, need a clear head. Ignore it. Conflict resolution is a life skill that requires practice. Plus, some squabbles will just naturally fizzle out. If the fight escalates (especially into …
My child refuses to eat vegetables. What should I do?” First, don’t panic. Kids’ preferences change, seemingly on a daily basis, so if your pediatrician says your child is healthy, relax. Keep offering fresh vegetables, but get creative. Outside of whipping up some of the recipes in books by Jessica Seinfeld and Missy Lapine (which are both good, but a bit time-consuming), here are some quick, easy ways to get veggies into “veggie resistant” kids: 1. Stock up on baby food. Ms. Seinfeld recommends pureeing fresh vegetables and then slipping the purees into food. I did that and promptly …
