Manners

When my very wonderful toddler is not wearing his cranky pants - we marvel at his manners.

His teachers, commuters, neighbors, and other parents have commented on the fact that my son is relentless with his yes please, thank you, you're welcome, no thank you, offering his seat to a lady who is standing, and allowing ladies to enter elevators first. Humbling enough, I have been told that I'm doing a great job, and I have been asked the question of - how I did it.

I'd love to share my tips and secretes with my blogger parents: simply enough, as my mom did with me, manners were the first words that I taught my son, so he enjoyed the use of his new vocabulary words, and we are so grateful that that remains the case two years later. We made manners a fun thing to do, and we made the yucky face when we did not hear these polite words.

However, do not despair, it is never to late to start requesting manners at home. I'd recommend just making it a fun thing to do, as we do at our house. BWrightParents

Are You Ready for Summer?

No - Not the Dog days of Summer! We mean Summer Camp. It's that time of year to start summer camp registration, and leave your deposits. Summer camp is legendary for the practice of teaching kids how to explore the wonders of nature, what it takes to be a team player, keeping them busy during slow summer months, and for giving parents some me time.

With the economy, let's say, in flux for lack of a better (Rated PG ) term, parents may consider getting creative about summer fun, or just scaling back options. If you have any creative ideas for how we should spend summer with the kids in a fun filled fantastic - yet inexpensive way, please let us know what's your alternative to summer camp?

Whatever you decide, remember to do extensive research - price should not supersede safety. BWrightParents

Understanding A Pre-Schooler's Body Language

LOL is so much fun! Especially for a toddler. However, when your child is not LOL after you bid farewell before leaving him/her at school - can you pick up on what is at issue? perhaps your bundle of joy just wants to spend the day with you. What's your take on what I call - the dreaded copy-cat behavior of exaggerated pouting? Assuming all teachers are wonderful at your child's pre-school, does the exaggerated pouting indicate a sign of missing you, or is such body language the reflection of something more cynical - like bullies in the class room?

We challenge our blog parents to take note of your pre-schoolers body language, and reveal what you come up with. Is it sleep deprivation, a bully at school, or the desire for attention - what's really behind exaggerated pouting? - let us know. BWrightParents

Parents Corner

The Impact of a Godly Parent: click here to view http://www.intouch.org/

My son and I had the great pleasure of listening to Dr. Stanley's televised sermon regarding the tremendous impact Dr. Stanley's mother had on his life, because his mother was a Godly Parent. Dr. Stanley indicated that Parents today, fail to discipline children in an effort to maintain a sense of friendship between parent and child.

Discipline was noted by Dr. Stanley as a mechanism for building character. What's your view, do you think discipline fosters character, or do you believe discipline diminishes the bond between parent and child?

Something to truly ponder . . . how do you foster character in your child/children? BWrightParents

Art & Ethics - can art create a bridge to understanding?

Artists have the power to illuminate people, and their subjects. In addition, art allows viewers to see the world in new, and different ways.

Should teachers use art creativity to shape a positive society? Like most parents, I wholeheartedly enjoy the art work from my son's pre-school. The fascination with projects such as world flags, self expression, and collaborative abstract painting created a sense of humility, empathy, and courage. Humility for the world in which we live, empathy for peers with regard to feelings, and courage for each child to express and share their emotions, and dreams. I applaud my son's teacher Ms. Rebecca, and the ethics that she has presented to her classroom via artistic expression.

Share with us: which ethics are applied to your child's art work? BWrightParents

Chores for the First Kids!

First Lady Michelle Obama aims to keep her children grounded, even while living in the White House. Yes that's right President Obama's children, in addition to making their own beds and cleaning their rooms, are expected to clean up after their new pet, a Portuguese water dog.

What an excellent way to keep kids, who can have

what their hearts desire, grounded.

We applaud you First Lady!

This sort of puts me to the task, as I feel obligated to carry my son's backpack after he has had a long day at school. In addition, because of his early schedule, I usually pick up things around the house, without my son's help. However, like the First Family, I do expect lots of help after we get our dog - the awesome Golden Retriever (see Golden Retriever club at http://www.grca.org/).

How about at your house? are chores delegated to your children to instill a sense of responsibility as opposed to entitlement? BWrightParents

Restructuring Show & Tell

Pricey Toys Are Going The Way of Dinosaurs (WSJ Report)
Thank you Wall Street Journal! WSJ your readers out number my readers by far, nonetheless I am so thrilled that perhaps it was my blog about Show & Tell during a recession that lead to your article in today's paper.

That's right, not only are my blog parents questioning their ethics about expensive toys during this recession, but parents nationwide, may face the same (although minor in comparison. . .) dilemma about what to do about Show & Tell Friday's. I stopped short of writing my son's pre-school a heartfelt letter about switching the focus of Show & Tell from materialism to humanitarian. I felt materialism v. humanitarianism may be a bit to much for 3-4 year olds.

Here are key snap shots from today's WSJ article respectfully titled: Pricey Toys Are going The Way of Dinosaurs: Kota, a $300 robotic triceratops toy released last year by Hasbro Inc., is facing extinction. Replacing the loveable dinosaur are several smaller, less-expensive toys -- including a new robotic "Hatchling" that sells for $15. Behind this toy-shelf evolution: thrifty parents. Despite conventional wisdom that parents would continue to splurge on children during the recession, families appear to be making big cuts on toy purchases this year as they balance the household budget. And beyond financial reasons, some parents are shunning pricey playthings on principle. Fancy gifts are seen by some as a symptom of excessive spending -- a bad lesson to children during an economic downturn. Erik Schultz, an architect and father whose family lives in New York City, says he wants his 3-year-old son to know that "there's a finite number of toys that you can purchase." He says: "You can't have whatever you want, whenever you want. It can't just keep going endlessly." "Parents have really pulled in their purse strings. They've been extremely selective," says Duncan Billing, Hasbro's global chief development officer.

Ahhh with this being said, perhaps restructuring Show & Tell is not such a bad idea. BWrightParents

Parents Corner

David Goldman's ex wife Bruna left for Brazil with their then 4 year old son Sean, and the two of them (Sean & his mom) never returned to the United States.

Shortly thereafter Mr. Goldman's wife Bruna filed for divorce, and eventually remarried. Saddly enough, Bruna died while giving birth to her second child. And now Mr. Goldman has resumed his quest to return his son Sean, who is now 8 to the United States.

The United States and Brazil are among 68 countries that have signed a treaty, known as the Hague Abduction Convention, which provides a mechanism for signatory countries to solve international child abduction cases. The Brazil legal system has ignored the Hague Treaty, and instead focused this case on the merits of a Family Court issue. With growing international attention, this case is now expected to be viewed under the scrunity of the Hague Treaty.

I would urge any parent in the misit of a custody dispute, with a child who has a parent who is a citizen from outside of the United States, to take note of this case, and familiarize yourself with the terms of the Hague Treaty. BWrightParents

Computer Virus

Parents - pay close attention to which website your kid downloads music from. That website, and other shared sites may contain a virus - and not a virus that you can easily detect.

Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.
A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your e-mail program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.
Viruses are most easily spread by attachments in e-mail messages or instant messaging messages. That is why it is essential that you never open e-mail attachments unless you know who it's from and you are expecting it.
Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.
Viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download.
To help avoid viruses, it's essential that you keep your computer current with the latest updates and antivirus tools, stay informed about recent threats, and that you follow a few basic rules when you surf the Internet, download files, and open attachments.
Once a virus is on your computer, its type or the method it used to get there is not as important as removing it and preventing further infection. MicroSoft Article information

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the White House

Coming Soon

In the Interim: TOURS & EVENTS
White House Tours
Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

Show & Tell (In a Recession)

Show & Tell Friday's can be a real drag during a recession if you do not have tons of toys around the house from years past. Take it from me, a minimalist at heart - who donates toys every chance I get. In that event you hardly have many toys from years past in the toy box.

So what is a parent to do during a recession when show & tell is every Friday. Shop for a new toy of the week? or improvise?

Personally, I've learned to improvise - we are at least saving the environment from a little less plastic in our landfills right? Show & Tell about our borrowed Dinosaur library book . . . hope that works.

Tell us your creative ideas for show and tell, or as we like to say it at my house, show & share. BWrightParents

Parents Corner

(NAPSA)—Even the smartest,
most-informed parents can make
mistakes. Parenting children
through their school years requires
a balancing act between
what’s best for family dynamics
and for a child’s academic success.
Dr. Andrea Pastorok of Kumon Math and Reading Centers offers
the following tips to help parents avoid five common mistakes when
dealing with a child’s scholastic achievement:

1. Expecting Perfection Instead of Progress—If you only praise your child when he completes a task or reaches a goal, he may give up long before he ever gets there. Demonstrate to your child that you believe in him by giving genuine and frequent
praise for progress and effort.
2. Allowing Your Child to Quit Whenever the Work Gets Hard—Encourage your
child to persevere when schoolwork becomes challenging by becoming her coach to get her
through the tough spots. Help her to take a one-step-at-a-time
approach. Work with her to identify the information needed to solve problems and pinpoint
places where she gets “stuck.”

3. Underestimating Your Child’s Ability—Don’t assume your child will be weak in a subject because you were, and don’t underestimate his abilities. Expect your child to reach his potential in all subjects, not just the ones that are easiest. If your child is struggling in math but loves reading, help your child discover new ways
to enjoy math. However, keep your expectations realistic.

4. Allowing Your Child to be Disorganized—To ensure that children will become successful students, parents must help them acquire good study habits
and strong organizational skills. Start by creating a special learning area at home; set aside time
for homework and reading. For older children, teach them to
organize their time by using a calendar or planner.
5. Refusing to Admit that Your Child is Capable of Wrongdoing—Not My Kid!—
Children are individuals, and no matter how hard we try to raise smart, honest and caring children, they will make mistakes or poor decisions. If a teacher, friend or parent brings to your attention your child’s behavior—don’t deny it—listen. Depending on the situation,
speak to your child about the incident in the privacy of your home and decide the best way to
handle it.

Dr. Pastorok is an education specialist with Kumon Math and Reading Centers. She has a doctorate in educational psychology. Since 1958, Kumon Math and Reading Centers has helped children strengthen math and reading skills, increase self-confidence and develop study skills that last a lifetime.

To locate a Kumon Center in your neighborhood call: 1-800-ABCMATH or visit www.kumon.com. You can encourage your child to persevere by becoming her coach to get her through the rough spots.

Taunting Classmates Is No Longer Child's Play:

Parents Demand Civility from Your Child &

Teachers Demand civility in your classrooms - PLEASE!

Could simple acts of kindness have avoided this?

Should budget cuts for mental health continue ?

for more information regarding mental health issues at school

click here:National Association of School Psychologists

According to Rech, Kretschmer . . . : "Everyone laughs at me. No one recognizes my potential. I mean this seriously. I have got a weapon here and tomorrow I am going to go to my former school and give them hell. WINNENDEN, Germany School Shooter(CNN)

March 2009 Kids go Free!

From Broadway Spotlight - Kids Go Free:


Broadway shows are throwing open their doors to the next generation of theatregoers by inviting kids to see a show for free!

Kids age 6-18 can attend a participating show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Kids' Night on Broadway® is now monthly and takes place on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. Plus, kids get to participate in pre-show educational programs. Restaurant and parking discounts make this a great event for the entire family. Look for the Kids' Night logo next to participating shows or visit kidsnightonbroadway.com for more information! The

BROADWAY SPOTLIGHT is here to help you find the best shows and get tickets. If you see something you like, just click on the link for that show to get more info and order your tickets.Take a look at what's playing right now, and for even more information or to order tickets, just visit Telecharge.com online or call us at 212-239-6200. We're your direct connection to the box office!CONTENTS:Featured ShowsGet More From Telecharge.comNow Playing on Broadway

WSJ Report

Today's Wall Street Journal reported: As Economy Slips, New Mothers Cut Short Their Maternity Leave

With this astounding fact, it will become even more imperative that parents demand a code of ethics from their child care providers. As children are thurst into daycares and pre-schools at early ages - what can we do to ensure moral instruction as parents become primary caregivers less often for their children . . .

Teaching Non Violence

Parents and Teachers - the shocking news about Rihanna's abusive relationship, gives us more incentive to reach our goal of obtaining ethics in the classroom. As research reveals, abuse becomes generational, and can spiral down for generations. Let's stop the cycle starting in Pre-school so that ethical behavior towards peers is so embedded in children, that by the time they reach high school - violence as a resolution is not an option. With fame, Rihanna has great power to bring a message to her target audience, and the message that she is sending is make a duet - as Chris Brown and Rihanna have an upcoming song. Is this the message you would like to give your child?

Please log onto T.E.A.R. http://www.teensagainstabuse.org

Parents pass along the message to your children - abuse does not = love so that your teen will not become a victim, and nor will they victimize.

Just Say NO To Drugs

Don't miss a thing! Add ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com to your email address book, and send a subscription request.

March 9, 2009

Conquering Stress

Gloomy global news, restricted budgets, and a long way to go until summer; it's no wonder parents are feeling stressed. But teens are feeling the strain, too, and have additional stressors to face each day, including the burdens of achieving academic success, the rush of hormones, and the pressure to fit in.

It is important to talk to your teens and provide proper guidance to help them avoid the pitfalls of stress which may, in some cases, lead to drug and/or alcohol abuse as a way to escape. Monitor your teen's behavior and become familiar with issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other harmful changes that might indicate your teen is unable to deal with stress in a healthy way.

Get expert advice on helping your teen cope with stress.
"But mom, you don't understand!"

Teens sometimes feel that no one understands what they are going through. Although the pressures teens face today are very different from those faced 20 years ago, parents can still be instrumental in the solution. Demonstrate your interest in communicating with your kids, respect their point-of-view, and provide tips on how to manage everyday pressures.
Take an active role and learn more about "What Parents Can Do."

Not sure how to put yourself in your teen's shoes while setting clear rules and expectations? Follow these simple steps:

1. Validate their feelings. Begin conversations by saying, "I understand," and follow through with a solution to help overcome the challenge.2. Provide real-life examples. Talk about ways in which you were stressed in the past, how you successfully managed it, and lessons you learned.3. Be a good role model. Model and teach positive stress management and coping skills.4. Hold them accountable. Let your teens know that they are responsible for their actions - and that there will be consequences for not following the rules, such as a loss of privileges.

More tips on how to "Help teens cope with stress."

Teens complain of feeling stressed out
A local high school in Texas encourages students to learn to cope with their daily stressors by offering face-time with counselors and a few minutes out of class for rest and relaxation

expert advice on how to keep your teen safe and check out "Conversation Tips" for more tips on talking to your teen.

Looking for FREE anti-drug information? Check out all of TheAntiDrug.com's Parent Resources

And download our comprehensive package of fact sheets, guides, and quizzes on "Navigating the Teen Years."

American School Counselor Association http://bwrightparents.blogspot.com
copyright 2007
This email was sent to: brigittiw@yahoo.com
This email was sent by: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign750 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20503 USA We respect your right to privacy - view our policy

Parents Helping Parents Links

http://www.kidsadviceonline.com/


As Parents - We Cannot Change Everything - take a moment to listen to the song: What I Cannot Change (video link below) by LeAnn Rimes.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Spring Break

Spring break is almost here. We are headed to see the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC. How about your family? Parents what's in store for your spring vacation.

Considering the economy arts and crafts or small trips close to home seems like an attractive option. Tell us what your plans are - we'd love to hear from you and share suggestions.

Dora Dora Dora

In lieu of behavior ethics, Parents of pre-schoolers may need a lesson in casual children's attire. Marketers are marketing what they see in our pre-schools everyone. Let us know what you think of Dora's new look? http://www.bwrightparents.blogspot.com/

"Dora the Explorer's New look to Include Mini-Skirt?

(KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO) - The shorts, and kind of dumpy look, are OUT for Dora the Explorer. She's undergone a make-over, and this fall she'll have a whole new FASHIONABLE look.


The adventuresome girl with something of a tomboy flair will now sport a mini-skirt and pointy shoes, and longer hair, too. Mattel and Nickelodeon have also gotten rid of the trademark backpack. A couple of blogger moms don't like it, they're doing an online petition drive to keep the familiar-old Dora look."

Defining Ethics In the Classroom

Defining ethics in the classroom should be as simple as addressing what is good and bad behavior - with intellect and a sense of moral duty. Respecting everyone and the world around you is a fair start - would you say?

We Recognize Wonderful Teachers

Happy Wonderful Teachers Day! To all of the wonderful teachers from around the world - from our house to your house - We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Happy Wonderful Teacher's Day!

Our site is officially declaring March 4, as Parent recognition for Wonderful Teacher's Day! That's right, if you know of any wonderful teachers in your area, please list teacher's name in your comment section, and we will post a big Thank U note in that teacher's honor on our site. Of course you can then forward our site address to your Wonderful Teacher, and we will look forward to his/her comments regarding how their professional ethics earned them the title of Wonderful Teacher!

Ethics and education what should parents and students look for? Should ethics training be mandatory for teachers? How do we foster civility in society - should civility begin during the early childhood years - in preschool, or should civility get fostered during secondary education?

Applying strict scrutiny to behavior patterns that evolve during early childhood education is essential. Parents must discuss the good the bad and the ugly with regard to what goes on in a class room. If teachers are preoccupied for a minute or two, could your child become a bullies target?