Parenting - the problems and the pleasures

OK, I hear you.... L

2009-05-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

OK, I hear you....
L

LOL, it is!

2009-05-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

LOL, it is!

I notice that 'a silk scarf' is in a slightly smal...

2009-05-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

I notice that 'a silk scarf' is in a slightly smaller font. Is that a subtle hint? ;-)

I thought hitting _anyone_ was a no-no! But yes, e...

2009-04-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

I thought hitting _anyone_ was a no-no! But yes, essentially the idea is to model good manners yourself. In our house there's way too much shouting from afar instead of walking closer and talking quietly, and don't even mention interruptions!

It is a healthy thing up to a point - my brother a...

2009-03-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

It is a healthy thing up to a point - my brother and I always used to fight as kids (mainly because I was envious of him I realise now) - but in Adulthood we became best of friends. Just make the realise that this sister/brother brother/brother sister/sister bond is something special and unique. That works for our two (most of the time, fingers crossed).

my two still get on most of the time. main reason ...

2009-03-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

my two still get on most of the time. main reason they squabble is when one doesn't want to play the same game, or one shows the other what to do - kind of understandable stuff really - even I might snap/growl at someone for this. (get fed up of being shown what to do or told what to do...)

I get involved if they start shoving/pushing/hitting but luckily this isn't very common. Maybe I am lucky, hoping it will last ;-)

More educational games: http://www.kidspot.com.au/...

2009-02-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

More educational games: http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-search/Learning-Games+2.htm

The goal is, of course, to convince my child that ...

2009-02-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

The goal is, of course, to convince my child that maths is fun and easy (in order to prevent stress in maths class).

BTW, I found some more educational games: http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-search/Learning-Games+2.htm

Math is a natural phenomena akin to music (e.g. ha...

2009-02-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

Math is a natural phenomena akin to music (e.g. harmonic overtone series vs. prime numbers in the Reimann conjecture). The human mind identifies with such concepts through both music and abstract number ability (i.e. an ability to recognize natural phenomenon). What is your goal? Do you want your kids to excel at math and have an advantage over others? Or are you trying to create well balanced human beings for the future? Are the two mutually exclusive?

Certain skills should be automatic. Times tables a...

2009-02-18T22:57:00.000-08:00

Certain skills should be automatic. Times tables are a good example. Kids should just know that e.g 4x5 = 20 without working it out. Those skills should be automatic - like checking the mirror or applying the clutch when changing gear. At this stage of development, I would expect the basic skills to be learnt in the first years before the true problem solving skills develop

it is indeed a mystery why teachers aren't more fo...

2009-02-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

it is indeed a mystery why teachers aren't more forthcoming about how one can help at home. I am not a big fan of rote learning so haven't been too keen on times tables practice that some parents subscribe to. chanting them out in the car while driving... realising there is more than one way to solve a problem seems an important lesson to get across. One I tend to try and push. Might be confusing them though I guess???

Ashley, that's a fantastic idea! How do you make y...

2009-02-18T17:35:00.000-08:00

Ashley, that's a fantastic idea! How do you make your smoothies? With milk, juice or yogurt?

Yvonne, I have a finicky eater as well. In fact, I...

2009-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

Yvonne, I have a finicky eater as well. In fact, I started tracking what my daughter did and didn't eat on: http://feedingafinickyfamily.blogspot.com

I simply have on hand at all times: oatmeal (letting her put her own brown sugar on with a tiny little spoon), mini-pancakes, and pre-cooked bacon. If she doesn't want the above (whichever one I offer on a given day) she can have a smoothie. Vitamin filled, and a guaranteed compromise. Good luck!

~Ashley

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/technology/5315974/vi...

2009-02-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/technology/5315974/video-games-seen-good-children/

The problem with the "fun non-educational" games i...

2009-02-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

The problem with the "fun non-educational" games is that they ARE usually more fun than the "fun educational" games, so kids would rather shoot at spaceships than count them... :-)

Also, as Sherry pointed out, there are games and then there are games. Here is a video of children playing Halo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mIOEgF3Myg

My 7 year old loves www.webkinz.com - which has ga...

2009-02-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

My 7 year old loves www.webkinz.com - which has games and rooms that you can customise with points that you win and even a very controlled chat feature so that you can meet friends and play games together. My 10 year old daughter has outgrown that and is now into www.girlsense.com - where she can create fashions and sell them in an ebay like store for credits. it's a great learning for her to see what sells, what doesn't, who copies her designs, etc. There has been 1 instance of someone trying to chat to her inappropriately but when I emailed the site, they got back to me immediately and dealt with the situation. Katie

Aladdins math quest is good. Bob the builder - coo...

2009-02-05T02:43:00.000-08:00

Aladdins math quest is good. Bob the builder - cool. disney.com is good too. Problem is having a husband who introduces them to way more exciting games. dare I mention them... I hope they are ok. I despair at times. They do still enjoy playing games on the cartoon network site. Both google for games ( yes a filter is a good idea) and nothing beats actually playing a board game, doing some lego or actually playing outside, playing ball, going for a bike ride or even arming up the water pistols - we had a fun time running around shooting each other, while filling up the paddling pool tonight.

Kate, do you think it's the question of "the more ...

2009-02-05T01:46:00.000-08:00

Kate, do you think it's the question of "the more you get, the more you want"?

Sherry, yes, blobbing is very important. I think I...

2009-02-05T01:45:00.000-08:00

Sherry, yes, blobbing is very important. I think I'll go try it out now, and if it's any good, I'll pass it on to the kids....

Lol, Peter, she definitely picked the "fighting wi...

2009-02-05T01:44:00.000-08:00

Lol, Peter, she definitely picked the "fighting with her brother" activity.

think they get very used to being busy fast. Activ...

2009-01-28T20:43:00.000-08:00

think they get very used to being busy fast. Activities are great, but so is the ability to amuse oneself.

I get the impression busy is regarded as best by a lot of parents. Get the children organized into after school activities. Never let them get bored. But in the process they ensure kids are unable to cope when not organized. They constantly need stimulating activities and aren't able to blob out, or just play on their own.

We have busy days, blob days and kids seem to appreciate both equally. They do get bored at times, but this makes them suggest things to do.

She's probably just tired from all of the fabulous...

2009-01-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

She's probably just tired from all of the fabulous things you have done with her! My daughters are very similar with their negotiations...they quickly forget the gifts they've been given and move on to the next thing that is "so overdue" to them! They're just kids. Katie

Lookup holiday on Wikipedia and you'll get: "This ...

2009-01-28T01:31:00.000-08:00

Lookup holiday on Wikipedia and you'll get: "This word has evolved in general usage to mean any extra special day of rest";

I don't see any "restful" activities in your list. How many items in the list were voluntarily picked by the child?

Peter