As teens reluctantly head back to school and leave the lazydays of summer behind, we are reminded of the stress that lies ahead for our youth. While returning to school can be an exciting time to get reacquainted with friends and teachers, it can also be the start of what may be some of the […]
Respect for Others Define stealing – Teach your child to respect another’s work and the right to be paid and get credit for it. “Technology does not trump thoughtfulness. Infringing on the rights of others reflects poorly on you and certainly isn’t what wireless technology is about.” Tom Wheeler, President/CEO of Cellular Telecommunications & Internet […]
Learn Critical Thinking – Practice the process of making decisions. Parents can help children learn to make good decisions on their own. Technology offers an opportunity to practice. Encourage Common Sense – Help your child learn common sense with simple rules that work in many situations. These easy to remember phrases help a child make […]
Part 5: Walk the Talk Model Good Behavior – Set rules for acceptable behavior and model that behavior yourself. Discourage gossiping Click here to read about the harmful effects of gossip. Do not allow bullying; learn how to stop it when you see it and help your child know what to do when it appears. […]
Section Four: Protect yourself Help your child understand the concept of ‘digital footprint’, and think about what they can do to protect it. Children think parents have eyes in the back of their heads, but now there are many more ‘eyes’ and the ‘eyes’ can photograph what they see and easily share. “Tell your kids […]
Section Three: Pay Attention Monitor usage. Figure out how much time your child is using technology, where and when. Know where your child has access to technology – at school, after school, at a library, visiting a friend, which friends, at a coffee shop, through his or her phone, a friend’s phone, through another adult’s […]
Section Two: Listen and Learn Keep the lines of communication open Talk with your child about technology in a positive way. Express your interest. Ask to see favorite websites. Learn where to look for website use history and review it with your child. Talk about how to discover something new. What does your child wants to learn? […]
Get Up to Speed! Learn everything you can – You can be a credible source of information and advice for your child when you know enough to be a credible source. Talk with other parents about their experiences with children and technology use. Explore the web: The California Department of Education provides a list of […]
Persistence is a virtue, I am beginning to realize. That and patience. The two are unusual companions when rearing teens. Let’s start with patience. A wise person once told a story about learning to watercolor. During the first art session, the teacher brushed on the first layer, a wash of cobalt blue, then leaned back […]
Mentors, much like lanterns, can “illuminate dark and uncertain paths, calm and still doubts and fears with encouraging words, wise lessons, gentle touches, firm nudges and faithful actions.” These words of Marian Wright Edelman help us to become aware of our gifts as parents. We are mentors to our children and may be mentors to […]
