If you are going through the process of filling out the applications for college presently, do you feel like a broken record? Lets think back to last year: WARNING Junior year students and parents receive a multitude of information from colleges, your high school, organizers, SAT/ACT tutors, and private college counselors. Prior to this, you are cognizant that once you enter high school there is pressure to prepare your child and yourselves for the road ahead. Of course, you may have given some thought to the college apps prior to high school. The show begins and the curtain rises. Your child…

The alarm rings, the clock reads ... 6:00 a.m., in other words, it’s fall and school has begun. What’s your house like when the day begins? Do the children fall into line, get up on time, get dressed and prepare to get ready for school? Although each of our homes may vary in our routines, there will certainly be some similarities. As the children eventually leave for school, you wonder: How could that have gone better? What strategies could I have employed that would have helped me at this time? You think to yourself, maybe I will do better tomorrow, the kids will get up on time, get ready, …

In the 1960s the question, “Where were you when Kennedy was shot,” could be heard across the country. I certainly remember where I was. The television was rolled into my classroom, we observed that unforgettable day as tears welled up in the eyes of everyone around me. I recall school was cancelled and we all flooded our local temples and churches as we prayed for the Kennedy family and our country. The conversation of where you were continued for years to come. “Where were you when the lights went out”? This question referred to the major black out of the 1960s. But, very few today remember …

The common thread heard at the watering hole, so to speak, this week: “Where did the summer go?” “Can’t believe school starts this week!” Some say their children were ready to return and others were not there yet. It was interesting to speak with friends, family and new acquaintances, about their towns and what’s on their mind. The various conversations around town also included that many discovered our local Patch.com. Personally, I had recommended our local and other town Patches previous to Irene. During the storm, when local news was so imperative, Patch was there to guide us and inform …

During the days of post 9/11, we were told to prepare a Survival Kit. This was suggested on the news, papers, and discussed by many. As a matter of fact, there were books written on the subject. Present day: Questions that you asked yourself and others while preparing and organizing your house with Irene looming: Are those batteries I purchased years ago still working? Flashlights? How many do we have in the house? Do they work? Do we own a transistor radio? What’s a transistor radio? Do we know where the important documents are? Those are just a few of the questions you could hear at the …

As we hang on to the last days of summer, reality is just around the corner ... back-to-school!Time to purchase school supplies and clothes for the fall (kids tend to grow over the summer like weeds). Parents are scrambling for last-minute items to squeeze into their child’s dorm room. Some have tears in their eyes as their babies are off to college. Some siblings are saying, “Yeah, the house to myself”! Indeed, this is a time when we all could be a little melancholy. This new school year will have a different meaning to each of us and our children.Maneuvering through the various changes that…

I am surrounded by wonderful friends of all ages. I am surrounded by their wonderful families who are returning home from camp, teen tours or going off to college. It’s quite humorous to hear the variation of comments: I can’t wait till they go off to camp! I can’t wait till they leave for college! I can’t wait till they come home from camp! I can’t wait till they come home from college! I can’t believe my baby is going to camp! I can’t believe my baby is going to college! Certainly emotions are high and no matter where you stand some families possibly may feel conflicted. Clearly, not all …

What's the matter with kids today? The “Bye Bye Birdie” musical created an entire song and dance to depict the problems with kids during the '60s. According to an article in the Daily News and TV reports nationwide, a restaurant in Pennsylvania called McDain’s has decided that since children under 6 years old can’t control their volume, they're banned from the popular restaurant. Apparently, it is legal to ban children. New York City has several restaurants that either ban children, children can only eat in one portion of a restaurant, and other restaurants have created rules regarding what …

Summer is a great time to “chill” as the kids say. You may hear your kid say, “Chill mom/dad.”  When I teach students about acting, I ask how many different ways can you say the word chill? The tone and inflection can definitely give us a clue. Role reversal: “Enough chilling, get to work!” Depending on the age of your child, school work during the summer is a requirement that certain teachers, schools, and classes expect of you. If enrolling in college, then preparing for the upcoming applications for colleges and essays are on the agenda. How do we balance summer time “chilling” and …

Is the family “vaca” an accident waiting to happen? Hopefully, it isn’t! Being prepared, although I am not a Girl Scout, is crucial for the success of a wonderful, memorable vacation. The planning: What do you think would help make the perfect vacation for your family?  No sibling fighting, no arguing with your kids and no one gets hurt or ill. Consider this: Boredom Power struggles Change of weather Rules Money Time to destination The above list is some of the possibilities that preparation ahead of time can truly assist us in creating a great vacation. Discussion: Parents should mutually …

Look around your house or people you know -- are they organized? Are they organized professionally but, not personally? Are they organized in some areas but not others? Are they organized in the areas they want to be organized in? Or are they organized in everything they do? Observation: How many of us make lists and others utilize their memories to remind them of their mental list? What works for you? Indeed, we can all recognize these traits in people we know and in ourselves. That being said, how can we impart our knowledge of organization to our children? Can this be a learned behavior or…

June is filled with memories of times gone by -- spent summers at local swim/country clubs, vacations and going down the shore. That’s when the Jersey Shore had a different connotation than it does today! Asbury Park boardwalk from Bradley Beach, amusements, swim/beach clubs, Kohn’s ice cream and so much more. Special memories, special times, family moments, that will be forever embedded in my heart. It was a time when summer, family, and friends were synonymous. June has the promise of wonderful days ahead. If your child has returned from college and graduated, they are embarking on their …

Discovery, exploration and communication play an integral part as we search for individuality. How important is it for your child to discover their individuality? And at what age do we encourage them to think out of the box? There is something to be said that being part of a group is definitely easier road to choose. How does individuality play a vital role in your child’s life? Can influence from others affect their decision making? Is it possible that we can teach them to be an individual and think for themselves without feeling they are standing alone? As children develop, it is important …

Seriously, where do you begin? Are organizational skills genetic? Is it something you can learn and assimilate into your life? How can you teach your child to be organized? The end of the school year is coming to a close and …. Summer is around the corner. College students are returning after four years of school and the question on their minds, as well as their parents, “What’s next?”  Certainly, all ages can ask the question what’s next. Organization is a relative term depending on several factors. Each factor will determine what specific needs are to be organized. If your child is …

Early on, we observe how children connect with one another through verbal and non-verbal communication. It is fascinating to view the specific connections children make even at a very young age. Why does one child connect with one child and not another? I am writing this topic with all ages in mind. That being said, we need to start at the beginning to understand connections our children make. For that matter, we can look at our own lives and relate as we discover. While teaching a music program I would observe the children dancing and moving to the music. It was quite clear how some children…

The word pressure isn’t as prevalent as the word “stress” today. Implication is the same though. When I think of Billy Joel’s song “Pressure” -- “You need to learn to pace yourself ... Pressure ...”-- his lyrics still have relevancy but, today PRESSURE = STRESS! If you are from the generation when Billy Joel was at the height of his career, his body of work reflected his life as he brilliantly unraveled a story. The lyrics of this song ring true today. Whether your child is trying to get into a nursery school or into college or they have graduated college and applying to a grad school or a …

Before our journey began, one of our cars was submerged in water from all of the rain in town and we realized that lighting on our street and sewers should be a whole lot better! Another road trip to visit colleges was underway. Clearly, it has been many years since I visited colleges. This past year has been an interesting one, and at the same time, a process that every junior and their parents must go through. A rite of passage so to speak: You realize quickly your child is no longer just a child but, a teen on their way to college. Speechless is not something I am accustomed to (just ask …

Interestingly enough, Community Service has become a requirement for students to participate in, whether it is a religious project, a college requirement or a school related activity. Indeed, everyone benefits from charity involvement. It’s a win/win. Different, btw, than ... “Winning” ala Charlie Sheen … lol! Children watch and learn as parent’s model. If you are involved in charitable organizations, your child will observe and hopefully participate as well. As parents, we are obligated, to teach our children right from wrong, good not bad, and model behavior that we believe our children can…

The flowers are blooming, the spring wardrobe comes out of the closet, can’t wait to remove the winter wardrobe, and yes -- the teens are driving! What does that exactly mean? I remember very well. Come home from school, friends calling, let’s meet here, there,.wherever! But, I have a test tomorrow I thought. You could feel the devil on one shoulder and the other shoulder your conscience! Now fast forward; “Let’s hook up after school and meet at Starbucks!” Communication with friends is so much more accessible. Back in the day, we came home and arrangements weren’t so spontaneous. You couldn’…

You must have heard these words by now. And if not, let me apprise you of the some of the various ways this phrase is used: “We hooked up after school to study,” “We hooked up at the party last night,” “He hooked me up with the right …” or “Let’s hook up later.” It doesn’t mean “Hooked on Phonics” for sure! Essentially, depending on their age and where they live, this phrase has various definitions. That being said; how does a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” impact your student’s life? They can communicate with various forms of technology. Clearly, texting is a BIGGIE!  You wonder will they ever …