Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

Handbook for Parents

Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

February 2010: New Year's Resolutions? ............................................. 4

March 2010: Get our Economy Back on Track: Support the National
Financial Capability Challenge at Home! .............................................. 5
April 2010: Mathematics Education Month ........................................... 6
May 2010: May Is Family Wellness Month: How "Well" Is Your
Family? ..................................................................................................... 7
June 2010: Happy Father's Day! ............................................................ 8
July 2010: Making a Difference to Children .......................................... 9
 Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

February 2010: New Year's Resolutions?

Kevin Skarritt, director of new media; father of Connor, age 17, and
Cameron, age 15.

• Spend more quality time playing games, talking, recounting the day,
working on projects, etc.
• Help with college planning. There’s much to do to see my first child off to
collegein just over a year.
• Continue the building of values: discuss with my boys honesty, integrity,
helpfulness, manners, respect, courtesy—all the values that make for a well
rounded, healthy, adult.

Alicia Sutfin, administrative assistant; mother of Tyler, age 8.

• Exercise more patience with my son.

• Teach my son the value of exercise and eating right.
• Practice remaining calm, whatever the circumstances.

Jon Morgan, web support coordinator; father of Kayla, age 9, and Josh, age
7.

• Yell less and mold more: encourage my kids to listen the first time instead.
• Avoid micro-managing: show my kids that I trust they will do things
independently.
• Quality, not quantity: spend more time doing active or constructive things
with my kids.
• Get involved at school: make a point of contacting teachers directly with
concerns, maintain open lines of communication, and volunteer where
needed.

Bryan Taylor, president; father of Grant, age 10, and Claire, age 7.

• Pray nightly with my daughter, thanking God for the blessing of each day.
• Get outside with the kids this winter for a daily dose of sunshine and fresh
air.
• Spend more time at the science and art museums this winter.
 Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

March 2010: Get our Economy Back on Track:

Support the National Financial Capability
Challenge at Home!

The U.S. Treasury and Education Secretaries challenged American high

schools to do their part to help “get the economy back on track” by
providing students with basic training in money management. Encourage
your school to participate in the Challenge (registration deadline: 03/14/10,
challenge.treas.gov.) The goal is to have one million students participate.

EduGuide knows that a challenge this ambitious needs the support of

families — as well as schools. We’ve created the following online “tool kits”
with information about saving for college, budgeting, using credit cards
wisely, evaluating student loans, and more, to help families and kids build
their “money smarts”:

For Parents and Caregivers

• Help My Child Pay for College will help you learn more about saving money,
finding free money through scholarships and other financial aid, and making
smart decisions about student loans.
• Choose the Best Allowance for My Child is great if you want to develop an
allowance system that teaches your child finance skills that will carry over
into adulthood.
• Teach My Kids about Money Management helps you show children how
money works and how to manage their money. Read on for information
about financial personality and practical money skills that you can begin
teaching at any age.
For Students
• Get Smart about Money is written for teens. This simple guide helps them
choose a budget and stick to it and give tips for how to prepare now for
financial independence when they graduate from high school.
• Help Me Pay for College is written for high school students who want to go to
college but need to pay their own way. Learn steps kids can take themselves
to make college affordable.
Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

April 2010: Mathematics Education Month

For Everyone: Check out these cool math Web sites that make learning
fun. Also, discover what else you can do as a family to support math
learning at home.

Birth to Preschool: Find out how to prepare your child for elementary
school math. Your kids’ll have so much fun they’ll never even notice that
pesky learning part!

Elementary School: Does your kid love math that much? Learn all about
the exciting paths that math can take when it comes to afterschool activities.

Middle School: Some kids can have a tough transition to the more
complicated concepts introduced in middle school math. Get a better grasp
on what your kid will be learning and what you can do to help.

High School: If your teen still isn’t sold on the importance of taking
advanced math—for college or career prep—we can help explain it.

College: Find out how much that advanced math class your child took in high school
will save you when he or she enters college.
Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

May 2010: May Is Family Wellness Month: How

"Well" Is Your Family?

For Everyone: Are you looking for a family doctor? Or maybe you’re just
thinking of switching to a different one? Let us help you know what to look
for.

Birth to Preschool: To NUK or not to NUK—that is the question. Is it better

to never give your kid a pacifier? When is it time to take one away? Believe
it or not, there areactually some benefits to the “binky.”

Elementary School: Is it possible for a kid to have too much fun? Maybe, if
that child is being pulled in too many directions. Ensure your child isn’t
involved in too many activities before you sign up for another.

Middle School: At an age where your daughter is especially critical of her

body, make it a point to educate yourself on eating disorders.

High School: Want to give your teen another reason to finish high school
and go on to college. Learn how staying in school can actually prolong your
child’s life!

College: Make sure your child stays healthy and responsible in college. Share this
article with your college student. You’ll be glad you did.
Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

June 2010: Happy Father's Day!

For Everyone: Whether your kids are 2 weeks or 70 years old, they still
look up to you for advice and as a model for behavior. How do you want
your son’s children to remember their dad? Don’t just tell him…show him.

Birth to Preschool: Finding yourself at home alone with baby? Whether it is

the first time or the 100th, every parent can use a little help when only half
the “team” is on the field.

Elementary School: Would your son rather watch TV or play video games
than read? Well, he’s not alone. Perhaps you even agree with him. If that’s
the case, then maybe we can help.

Middle School: If your first instinct upon discovering that your child’s been
threatened by a bully is to suggest a good, sound pummeling, well, you
aren’t alone. But, we all know that won’t really solve anything. However,
maybe this will.

High School: Do you and your spouse often come to blows about how to
discipline the children? If you’re at a loss as to how to handle different
parenting styles, here’s some help.

College: As you let your child loose on the world, make sure he or she is
equipped with the knowledge needed to survive. As a father and protector,
it’s easy to want to do things for them, but kids really do benefit when they
learn the hard way.
Handbook for Parents, 1st Edition | June 2010

July 2010: Making a Difference to Children

Well, you asked for it! Seventy-five percent of you voted to celebrate National Make a
Difference to Children Month. So, in this month’s issue of theParents’ Newsletter,
EduGuide will be offering you some great tips on what you can do to help the children in
your life.

For Everyone: Whether you are new in town or have been around the block a few
times, it’s always good to have more than one resource for a skilled babysitter. We can
help you with things like: expressing expectations, asking questions, and getting
acquainted.

Birth to Preschool: Preparing your child for the big kindergarten transition doesn’t
have to make you feel alone and stressed out. Working along with your child andthe
school can make all the difference.

Elementary School: The internet isn’tall bad. Here are some helpful tips from
EduGuide and other reputable sites to keep your child "internet safe." Helps us build a
community of care for our kids online.

Middle School: Another organization that is helping look out for our children is the
International Reading Association. Find out what they consider the important rights that
all children should be afforded when it comes to literacy.

High School: If your child is to succeed in life, a good educational foundation is

essential. Knowing how to take a test is a huge part of that foundation. Let us help you
to help your child improve in that area.

College: What parent with a kid in college (or about to attend) doesn’t need all the help
available? The National Association for College Admission Counseling offers some
advice on whether or not you could use a college education consultant.