Category Archive for 'Parent Tips'

Daily Homework Time

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

If homework is not automatic in your home, if it causes some battles, if you know there’s “got to be a better way,” consider Daily Homework Time. Your student will usually have only two kinds of homework: (1) stuff from class they didn’t finish, and (2) stuff they should work on at home to get better and smarter.

The second thing is called Daily Homework Time. The basic idea is for you set aside about 30-50 minutes Monday through Thursday for your student to get smarter; 30 minutes for 3rd graders, 40 minutes for 4th graders, or 50 minutes for 5th graders. Each night, they should practice some math, do some writing, and finish class homework. Other things might be to work on cursive, practice math facts, or work on spelling. There’s no such thing as, “I have no homework,” because there is always something to get better at, such as math practice or writing.

Your student probably won’t do this on their own. But with your guidance, you can help your student get into good habits of doing something every day to improve themselves (not to mention their grades).

Originally posted 2016-09-20 17:36:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

When kids say, “I’m stupid”

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

There are few things that tear at our hearts more than hearing our kids say, “I’m stupid.”

At first glance the following parent seems to be right on track:

No you are not stupid. Honey, think of all of the things you are good at. How about reading? You’re good at that! And, remember how much you improved in baseball last summer. Stupid kids don’t learn how to hit curve balls like you did. And your art is wonderful. If you were dumb, would you have been able to learn how to create those drawings with such wonderful three-dimensional perspectives? I don’t think so.

At second glance, we realize that this well-meaning parent is actually lending credibility to their child’s “I’m stupid” remark… by spending so much time and energy addressing it.

The Love and Logic approach is much simpler…just ask your student, “Aren’t you glad that I don’t believe that?”

The same response is fitting when a student says, “I can’t do this.” Rather than trying to convince the student that they are wrong, just ask the student, “Aren’t you glad I don’t believe you?” Said with a positive voice and a smile, a student has no choice but to agree with you!

Read more about how to handle these types of negative comments.

Originally posted 2013-10-11 16:53:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Right, not easy

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

Originally posted 2017-04-19 18:56:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The value of losing

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

“…Loving parents allow their children to develop winning skills by allowing them to experience disappointments, make small mistakes, and experience the natural and logical consequences. Shielding them from all of life’s hardships sends the message that they aren’t strong enough to cope with their losses. Loving them through their sadness allows them to win every time they lose.”

Read the rest here.

Originally posted 2012-03-07 07:14:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Sick kids: when to send them or keep them home

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026

Sometimes it’s a judgment call about when to keep a sick kid home or send them to school. Kids can’t stay home for every ache and pain, even though they might want to. But sending a legitimately sick kid to school could make matters worse. Here are some guidelines:

When to send them

  • A common cold or runny nose.
  • A cough not associated with a fever, rapid or difficult breathing, or wheezing.
  • Pink eye after symptoms have faded or after 24 hours of treatment from a doctor.
  • Watery, yellow or white discharge or crusting eye discharge without fever, eye pain or eyelid redness.
  • A fever without any other symptoms. The AAP states: “A fever is an indication of the body’s response to something, but is neither a disease nor a serious problem by itself.” A fever is defined as a temperature above 101 degrees.
  • A rash without fever and behavioral changes. (Exception: Call 911 for rapidly spreading bruising or small blood spots under the skin.)
  • Lice, as long as the child has started treatment and has no live lice.

When to stay home

  • A fever over 100° (Fahrenheit)
  • For 24 hours after starting an antibiotic
  • For 24 hours after symptoms of stomach flu have subsided (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
  • A persistent cough or chest pain, or if your child is having a hard time swallowing
  • An earache with persistent pain
  • Crusty, draining and red eyes
  • An unfamiliar rash, or a rash that hasn’t been examined by a doctor
  • Any illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities.
  • Vomiting more than two times in the past 24 hours.
  • Abdominal pain that continues for more than two hours.
  • Mouth sores with drooling that the child cannot control.
  • A rash with fever or behavioral changes.
  • Strep throat, until the child has two doses of antibiotic.
  • Head lice, only if the child has not been treated or if there is live lice present.
  • Chickenpox (varicella), until all lesions have dried or crusted.

See this source for more details. Our school nurse also has more information at her School Health website.

Originally posted 2020-01-09 17:03:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter