Friday’s Discussion Question:

What would you have done?

So here was the dilemma…  Yesterday before school I reminded my son that it was media day and he needed to put his books in his backpack.  He said he would and that was the end of the discussion.  Now we are in the car and almost to school when I simply ask, “Did you remember your books?”  Panic set in and I got the “I forgot, now what should I do” look.  As a parent I had two choices:

1. Drop my son off at school, go back home and return to school with his books.

2.  Tell him that since he forgot his books he would not be able to check out books this week.

What do you think I chose to do?

Yes, I caved and chose option #1.  I wanted to be tough and give him the speech on responsibility and suffering the consequences.  At the same time, I knew that this was going to throw off his whole day.  He is very much a first-born with a type A personality.  When he doesn’t feel like he has it all together, he starts to crumble.  Therefore, for his emotional stability (as well as his teacher’s) I decided to help him out.

If you were in this situation (dealing with a 1st grader), would you have brought the books to school or made it a teachable moment for responsibility?

What type of lunch trays are used in your child’s school?

My son attends an environmental studies school which will be moving to a new site next year due to budget cuts.  At the new site, there is no dishwasher in the kitchen.  This I thought was rather odd.  Just wait, it gets worse.  Since there is no dishwasher all of the students will be using Styrofoam trays.  Yes an environmental studies school filling up the landfill with Styrofoam.

When I emailed the school board about this problem they sent me a message that said not to worry because the district’s trash company burns the Styrofoam to use as an alternative fuel.  Since I have not studied chemistry lately nor reviewed the EPA’s handbook on what can and cannot be burned, I am going to have to take their word on it.

However now I have learned that Styrofoam can leach chemicals into a child’s food.  What?!?!  New York City has taken an initiative to get Styrofoam trays out of their schools due to the environmental and health risks it causes.

Why do schools use these trays?  Is it simply because they are cheap?

Tip of the Day:

Find out what type of trays are used in your child’s school.

- If Styrofoam is used, take time to read the research and studies regarding these trays and its effects on your child.

- Make an effort to reduce or eliminate the amount of Styrofoam used in your home.

- Take time to read the information from the NYC schools:

Styrofoam Food Trays

Styrofoam Out of Schools

Friday’s Discussion Question:

Can you volunteer too much in your child’s classroom?

This is a topic that I find interesting to discuss.  As a stay-at-home mom who used to be a classroom teacher, volunteering in the classroom is hard for me to do.  Why?  Because now I am a parent and not the teacher.  I am used to being the teacher.  The one in charge.

At first I stayed out of the classroom completely.  This was not due to my need to be the boss, but instead due to my son’s separation issues.  At the beginning of the year, he did not like school and did not care to be there.  Therefore on the days that my husband or I would go in for lunch or volunteer on a field trip, there would be tears and drama when we left.  So I told him that I would not volunteer until he stopped crying.

Now that the year is almost halfway over, my son has finally accepted the fact that he has to go to school every day.   I am very happy to report that he now gets out of the car with no tears.  However now he has started to remind me that I can start volunteering in class.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like helping out.  My son has a great teacher this year and I enjoy seeing him interact with the other kids.  Recently I signed up to volunteer my time to help a group of 1st graders who needed some acceleration in math.  We’ll see how it goes.

I do believe there are times when parents spend too much time in the classroom.  They are referred to as the “helicopter moms” or “hover parents”.  This is a label I do not want.  Yes I want to and will be involved in my children’s education.  Yes I want to help out in the classroom from time to time.  But at the same time, I want my children to learn to be independent.  I also want to respect the teachers and let them do their job (assuming they are doing a good job).

What are your thoughts/opinions on time in the classroom?

Here is one mother’s opinion on choosing to stay out of the classroom:

Just Say No to Volunteering in the Classroom

Have you read The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf with your children?

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I went to see the movie Blind Side. I thought this movie was great!  I always love a movie that is based on a true story.

During the movie, the mother reads The Story of Ferdinand to her children.  Being a huge fan of children’s literature, I had to read the story.

My children and I checked it out from the library and cuddled up to read it.  I wasn’t sure if they would like it.  There are no princesses and no colored pictures.  Simply a bull who likes to sit and smell the flowers.

They loved it!!!!!!!!!!  My 3 year old daughter wanted it read to her for the next three days.

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Have you heard of Sing-A-Lingo?

I am always looking for fun yet authentic foreign language books, toys, CDs, etc for my children.  Recently I found out about a small company in Massachusetts that sells Spanish products.  They are working on developing CDs and other learning tools  to teach Spanish to children ages 2-6.  Currently they have a CD entitled, En Mi Casa. They have also created lyric and vocab cards to accompany the CD.

After watching their You Tube video and listening to a few of the samples songs, I decided to buy the CD.  I am anxiously awaiting its arrival and hope my kids like it as much as I think they will.

I like that it is a small company that was founded by two people who are musicians, educators and parents.  With that kind of background, I believe they will be able to produce high quality learning materials for children.

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