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One of the toughest things parents struggle with is allowing their children to exist in situations which are uncomfortable for them. It's hugely anxiety-producing, and the natural desire of a loving mother or father is to dash in and resolve the difficulty, save the child and create a happy experience where there was distress. We want to protect our babies. We also don't really trust that they have the strength of resilience to cope. One of the hardest lessons we, as parents, have to learn is when to allow the child to work their own way through a difficult time and come through it on their own terms. It can be agonizing.
This article is the story of one parent's agony in this kind of circumstance. It's a great read. I hope you enjoy it and take comfort from it. Our children are strong and brave and resourceful. The future is bright.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Talking with children about sex
Today I sent out a message to the parents of our oldest students concerning the natural and normal talk about sexuality that children this age need to explore. This reminded me that it's a subject all parents need to consider. There is an on-going conversation that happens between you and your child, from the very early questions right the way through to adulthood. I want to encourage all of you to listen to, discuss with and guide your children as they grow.
This web site may be a good resource for you. It has a tab that goes through appropriate subject matter at different developmental stages, as well as other tabs for useful resources. (It is simply a suggestion, one of a host of web sites online.) Please remember that children develop in different ways and not everyone has reached the same stage at the same time. Be sensitive to whatever stage your own child has reached.
Even if your child is very young and you feel that this is way too early to begin to talk about such things, I encourage you to consider it. It is much, much easier to have the more intense conversations later if you've already established an open communication and a foundation with your child from an early age. It's also worth remembering that there is no way to prevent peer to peer talk from happening, or the spread of information (correct, partially correct, or totally misunderstood). It's a natural and normal part of the growing up process. What is important is that you should be part of the conversation. While I know that those of you with older children have probably been doing this at an age-appropriate level for some time, I want to encourage you to talk with your child and make sure that his or her thinking on this subject is approached in a way that you are comfortable with. It's important that you listen to your child, and help him or her to a healthy, positive, respectful start to thinking about this sensitive subject. Again, the web site has a suggested list of appropriate subject matter for different ages.
This can be a fascinating and joyful process with your child. Enjoy it.
This web site may be a good resource for you. It has a tab that goes through appropriate subject matter at different developmental stages, as well as other tabs for useful resources. (It is simply a suggestion, one of a host of web sites online.) Please remember that children develop in different ways and not everyone has reached the same stage at the same time. Be sensitive to whatever stage your own child has reached.
Even if your child is very young and you feel that this is way too early to begin to talk about such things, I encourage you to consider it. It is much, much easier to have the more intense conversations later if you've already established an open communication and a foundation with your child from an early age. It's also worth remembering that there is no way to prevent peer to peer talk from happening, or the spread of information (correct, partially correct, or totally misunderstood). It's a natural and normal part of the growing up process. What is important is that you should be part of the conversation. While I know that those of you with older children have probably been doing this at an age-appropriate level for some time, I want to encourage you to talk with your child and make sure that his or her thinking on this subject is approached in a way that you are comfortable with. It's important that you listen to your child, and help him or her to a healthy, positive, respectful start to thinking about this sensitive subject. Again, the web site has a suggested list of appropriate subject matter for different ages.
This can be a fascinating and joyful process with your child. Enjoy it.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Welcome to the New School Year!
Here we are at the beginning of September already! This is going to be a year of adventures - we have new faculty and many new families joining us (WELCOME, everyone!!), we will be moving to a gorgeous new building, and we are kicking off our new, shiny middle school programs under the expert leadership of 5th/6th grade teacher Mark Benglian (Mr. B.).
Just to remind us all what it is that makes us special, we were recently awarded a Bezonki Award by the Ann Arbor Chronicle. What is a Bezonki Award, you may ask? Read here to find out more. It was awarded to SK "in recognition of their willingness to embrace and explore the unknown with creativity and good humor. When confronted with something that can seem baffling – like the inscrutable Bezonki! – they approach it with curiosity and see its potential. This is a skill and attitude that, when applied to civic affairs, serves our community well."
What a charming encapsulation of SK students and teachers, and their attitude and approach!
See you all on Tuesday!
Just to remind us all what it is that makes us special, we were recently awarded a Bezonki Award by the Ann Arbor Chronicle. What is a Bezonki Award, you may ask? Read here to find out more. It was awarded to SK "in recognition of their willingness to embrace and explore the unknown with creativity and good humor. When confronted with something that can seem baffling – like the inscrutable Bezonki! – they approach it with curiosity and see its potential. This is a skill and attitude that, when applied to civic affairs, serves our community well."
What a charming encapsulation of SK students and teachers, and their attitude and approach!
See you all on Tuesday!
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