Hot topic...perhaps. Important topic...yes. Timely topic...well how do you know when is the RIGHT time? Should sex education be taught at school or at home?
What grade is the right grade to talk sex? How young is too young? You want your kids to be informed about their bodies but you don't want your kid to be the one telling all the other kids the story of the birds and bees at recess. ?
I went to Catholic school. And our sex education class (grade 8) consisted of the female librarian pulling the girls out of class, asking us to write any body related questions on a piece of paper (no names thank you) and put them in a glass jar for sorting and answering. We didn't know anything...so there weren't any questions to ask. Ignorance must have been bliss for that librarian. ?
I wonder...do schools let you know if they are teaching sex ed? (I don't know...anyone?)
As parents, we tell our kids to play nice together. If you don't have anything nice to say - don't say it. Recently, another mom criticized something I said behind my back...and here I thought...put-downs were just in playgrounds.
Aren't we all in this together?! Aren't we all just "real moms" trying our best to "keep it real"? Is it right to get up in the morning...put on your Miss. Judgy Pants...and walk the street? (you too can find Miss. Judgy Pants - in the clothing section next to Ms. Smart Ass Undies).
In the "Moms Getting It Right Standings" I feel I'm significantly below June Cleaver but slightly above Rosanne Barr. Hopefully.
I have the same values today as I had in kindergarten. I want to be liked. I want everyone to be my friend. I want to be respected simply because being respectful is the universally right behaviour.
And as we grow up, we forget our kindergarten values. And we become entitled. And Cruel. And put our Miss. Judgy Pants on whenever we like.
Growing up sucks.
One would think as the hair grows greyer...the skin becomes thicker.
It doesn't.
Feelings get hurt with put downs. Whether it be on the playground, on the PTA or wherever. Let's just remember to think before we speak. And while we're at it...STOP and THINK before we push SEND.
The world will be a better place.
It really IS the most wonderful time of the year! Back to school (or just back - depending on your school zone). Whether your student is starting kindergarten or going off to university, here are a few tips.
Tip #1 - Read my Back to School letter (which I had forgotten about until @SharonDV tweeted it out last week. And I got all teary. Good Ghandi I loved writing that piece. It's kleenex-worthy really). Read it. With kleenex.
Tip #2 - Forget that Back to School letter. I wrote it when I was a rookie mom. I have learned. Back to school is GOOD. The kids will be FINE. Really.
Tip #3 - Put the kids on school schedule. That means early to bed, early to rise. Breakfast, teeth brushing, getting dressed and all that. Homework. Snacks. Friggin' lunch boxes.
Tip #4 - Play the Food Game. Ask the kids to name a food (which they like) in the categories of Fruit, Snack, Lunch and Drink. Write down what they say. That food game white paper is your go-to lunch box list for the school year.
Tip #5 - Play "Tell me" Most kids clam up when you ask about their school day.
What did you do?
Nothing.
Who did you play with?
Nobody.
Damn clams. Instead casually ask your student to "Tell me who got in trouble" "Tell me what the teacher wore" "Tell me 3 things you learned" Tell me 3 things you saw" "Tell me who got hurt"
Aside: I have found that the "tell me who got into trouble" and "tell me who got hurt" questions are the ones that open up the clams and get them to spill the beans.
Have a back to school tip? Please share it in the comments!
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