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I like what this Psychology professor says in the following article. “You know you’re an extreme parent when you’re convinced your second-grade son is having more fun doing the Kumon advanced math program than watching Saturday morning cartoons.” Kathy Hirsh-Pasek states that there are two competing developmental views of children. 1) A child is an empty vessel to be micromanaged by you. 2) A child is a discoverer, an explorer, and you are his or her guide.
Facebook announced new safety features during a White House summit on bullying. The article states that this new reporting tool will let Facebook users, including teens and younger users, to privately report troubling content not just to the site itself but to parents, teachers and others in their support system. Facebook wrote “safety and child psychology experts tell us online issues are frequently a reflection of what is happening offline.” I couldn’t agree more.
A theory I have believed but could never totally prove has been studied by two economists. Researchers Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger discovered graduates of elite colleges made no more money than graduates of other universities in a study 20 years ago. Hard to believe, eh? Dale and Krueger have revisited their paper and studied this again controlling for even more factors. It seems that when you account for the schools that the students applied to and were accepted by the earning difference disappears. As I’ve counseled many a high school student the key is confidence, ambition, drive and work ethic not the name on the diploma. I don’t know how many actually believe me (Parents especially). These economists prove that even applying to a school that rejects you says a lot about you. Mr. Krueger states:
My advice to students: Don’t believe that the only school worth attending is one that would not admit you. That you go to college is more important than where you go. Find a school whose academic strengths match your interests and that devotes resources to instruction in those fields. Recognize that your own motivation, ambition and talents will determine your success more than the college name on your diploma.
Interesting, new research as we continue to seek ways to stop this epidemic. However, I know the real solution. Only when an entire school, school district, community creates a culture of no bullying. Schools routinely give lip service to anti-bullying with fancy programs and curriculum but it only works when every last adult from principal down to custodian and cafeteria worker creates and cultivates an environment of zero tolerance. Schools continue to make more elaborate and rationalizing excuses instead of doing the difficult job of complete culture change. It’s not a program, it’s a complete cultural overhaul that every adult involved in and around a school should be dedicated to do. A few are doing it… sadly, most are not.
A recent study in the American Academy of Pediatrics links excessive gaming with depression, anxiety and poor grades. In fact, over a two year time period 84% of the children in the study remained “addicted” to gaming which indicates it isn’t just a phase they go through. The researchers asked questions similar to those asked of pathological gamblers. Addicted gamers had multiple areas of their lives negatively effected. However, those who stopped their excessive screen time reduced their levels of anxiety, depression and social phobia according to the study. Here is yet another important wake up call for parents to limit and set appropriate boundaries on their child’s electronic habits. Would you keep liquor around and accessible for a loved one considered an alcoholic?
I think strengthening your relationships is a better idea than going to the gym or giving up sugar. It would take me less than a day to break the no-sugar idea anyway. I rarely hear anyone say their plan was to improve their marriage, change their relationship with their kids, or transform their ties with friends and families. Here are a couple of great articles to give you some ideas and get you moving in the right direction tomorrow.
Wall Street Journal article
Psychology Today article
Something I feared has now become a reality. More teens smoke marijuana than cigarettes according to a recent study.
They’ve got my vote for Texans of the year. I hope every high school in Texas will follow their lead. Pass along this link to your school administrators.
No stress and no gifts to worry about. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. This is the reason why. My Dad, my kids and my nieces. It’s all about relationships and enjoying the people you love. I hope you had a wonderful time with the people in your life you love.
