As I listened to youngsters learning a new song about global warming and the greenhouse effect, I thought, “Propagandizing in high gear!” 
It’s being forced on young minds with a catchy tune and repetitive chorus.  Some of the lines of the song contained distorted or outdated information. 
The chanting of these words over and over made an impression on the children. “That sticks in my mind,” one youngster commented after music class. “I can’t stop singing it.” 
 Was this the intention?   Coupled with the “Going Green” theme at many schools, these activities can’t help but imprint misinformation upon our youngsters even though they do learn some …read more

Some parents look forward to parent-teacher conference time to meet their children’s teachers and discuss challenges and achievements.  Others dread this occasion and decide they don’t want to bother or it’s a waste of time.
I always found meeting our daughter’s teachers, and sometimes our grandchildren’s when the parents couldn’t attend, informative and interesting.  Sometimes my husband and I agreed and other times we didn’t.  But it was a time to try to understand what was going on.
5 ways to benefit from a parent-teacher conference or meeting:

Go with a positive attitude that you’ll come to an understanding.  Don’t start out with …read more

With the new school year and Fall here I can’t help but wonder if schools will actually close because of the swine flu or the common flu. How many of you are curious if thse “flu symptoms” will be ignored and no notices will be sent home in the fear parents will take their children out of school?
Keep in mind that schools actually get paid per student that is actually in school for that day.  It was already stated that schools were not to close due to the swine flu, however it is already looking like schools are doing what …read more

Now that school has started, some parents and students feel frustrated about homework.  The youngsters haven’t caught on to all that’s being taught at school.  Yet the parent doesn’t understand the teacher’s methods or even those in some textbooks.
So begins an evening of frustration, even anger, and no one gets anything done.  Some authorities feel the parents shouldn’t do any of the teacher’s work.  Others think parents should get involved.  Is there a happy medium?
If you don’t understand what the teacher or text book is teaching, say so.  It doesn’t mean you, as a parent, are dumb.  There simply are different …read more

Most everyone takes photos of their children’s first ever day of school and often succeeding firsts.  What do you do with the photos and memorabilia afterwards?
These are ideal items for scrapbooks, shadow boxes, family memory pages, journals, fabric art, collages and other crafty projects.   You also can think back on your own school days and  create projects surrounding them.  For instance, I’m starting a blog on my One-Room School Heritage for my family.
Since this is Back-to-School Theme Week  at my Blisstree Parenting Posts, I thought discussion of some ways to save Back-to-School memories would be fun, too.  You also can involve …read more

For most students, it’s back to school, whether they’re attending classrooms or being home schooled.  At our household, our granddaughter has entered college in another state and grandson entered high school.  Big changes in their lives and ours.
In your home, there must be excited youngsters who are embarking upon new adventures in a new year at school.  Or you may be planning learning activities at home.
This was an exciting time when I was a youngster, too.  New clothing, new shoes, a new bookbag and possibly a new lunch box.  Mother didn’t have a great deal of money to spend, but …read more

While trying to come up with different alternatives to peanut butter and jelly or balogna sandwiches this week, I started thinking about ways I could phase out my kids’ favorite “side dish” — chips!

For me, chips have always been the default go-to for sandwiches or lunch in general, but as the new school year approaches I’ve been trying to re-think and re-plan what goes into my kids’ lunch boxes. Sure, they’ll still get a small bag of chips now and then, but I’m going substitute one of the below ideas several times a week as well!
~ Fresh fruit and vegetables. …read more

How did you feel when your child went off to school on their very first day? Sure, they were either happy or nervous but it is mom and dad
that are left behind with the “weird feeling.” Not many people talk about how mom and dad feel so that’s what we are doing today.
How did you feel when you dropped your child off for the first time and watched those yellow bus doors close behind them? Did you watch the bus until it was no longer in sight? I’ve seen this many times and wondered about it, see I may have …read more

Woo hoo! Today we got the remaining school supplies we needed for the kids to start school this fall, with the exception that a few have to actually be bought at the school as they want
everyone to be dressed the same for gym class. The only problem I have with this is they are charging an arm and a leg for the gym clothes. If they are simple shirts why can’t we dress buy them cheaper at the store? My guess is they have some logo on them just so they can charge the extra amount. UGH.
The only things we …read more

I thought it would be fun to bring up this topic as I’m sure I’m not the only one counting down those days for school to start. Right? Oh I’m the only one, well we did end before June so maybehat’s why. What? Oh you in the corner, yeah you want your kids to go back to school soon too. Yeah I thought there were more. Yes, I know the sayings and fightings and even the whinings. Here’s the things the kids say about starting school.
Children’s Reasons for School to Start:
-  I won’t be bored anymore
-  I want to see …read more