Getting Sorted

Failure, Hope, Virtue, Forgiveness

2011-01-23T12:34:00.002-05:00

David Brooks, NYTimes 1/14/2011, "Tree of Failure"

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/opinion/14brooks.html?scp=1&sq=brooks%20tree%20failure&st=cse

I admire his analysis so much; it applies toward our national issues and my personal issues simultaneously.

Kendal Stewart, M.D., Lisa Hunter Ryden

2011-01-11T01:05:00.001-05:00

Click Here To view Stewart: Kendal Stewart, MD & Lisa Hunter Ryden: The Parent and Physician Partnership for Healing our Children!

Recently Diagnosed into The Autistic Spectrum? You are not alone.

2011-01-11T00:46:00.000-05:00

Social Skills for Special Needs Students

2011-01-11T00:35:00.000-05:00

Sep Kamvar and Angie Schiavoni, Innovators

2010-06-13T23:11:00.002-04:00

BUSINESS WEEK, 6/7-13/2010, "Innovators" teaching (among other things) girls the joys of programming!

NYC - School of One - Education Innovation

2010-05-11T12:44:00.003-04:00

NYTimes School of One Innovation
Can this help with ALL our learners, not just the ones in the middle?

The Main Guy: Joel Rose

What is the latest?

A Type of Learning that Pays Dividends

2010-05-09T01:31:00.002-04:00

Is financial literacy a new civil right? Don't we owe our kids the instruction necessary to make sound financial decisions? Link to Business Week article.

YourEncore.com "Retired But in the Game"

2010-05-09T01:18:00.003-04:00

Business Week, 4/25/10, "Retired, But In The Game" highlights YourEncore.com as resource for expertise and subject-matter experts.

The Dropout Economy, Time Magazine, 10 Trends for 10 Years

2010-04-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

The Dropout Economy

Upbeat things to say about the future and quality of education, home-schooling and learning theories in paragraph 6.

How To Be Brilliant

2010-04-05T11:05:00.002-04:00

Comes down to self-control and self-discipline. NYTimes Book Review "THE GENIUS IN ALL OF US" by David Shenk.

Simple Abundance

2009-08-13T23:26:00.002-04:00

Fabulous book by Sarah Breathnach, SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, was my daily companion before our life in the spectrum began. Now that I have regained some small amount of spiritual equilibrium, I have once again found solace within its pages.

Check it out.

Good Practice for a Tough Fatherhood

2009-06-23T14:10:00.006-04:00

NYTimes, Sunday, 6/21/09, "Good Practice for a Tough Fatherhood" by Douglas Brown.

Read it and weep, oh ye of soft hearts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/fashion/21love.html?scp=1&sq=tough%20fatherhood&st=cse (oops, not linking; sorry)

Change of Priorities

2009-04-10T00:58:00.001-04:00

When your child suddenly becomes a special needs kiddo, everything changes. Like a tornado, with little warning and no refuge.

Digital Game-Based Learning

2008-08-18T16:07:00.003-04:00

Here's my link: http://www.gettingsorted.com/DigitalGameBasedLearning.html

"The Biggest Issue"

2008-08-17T16:41:00.003-04:00

NYTimes, by David Brooks, 7/29/2008, "Why did the U.S. become the leading economic power of the 20th century? The best short answer is that a ferocious belief that people have the power to transform their own lives gave Americans an unparalleled commitment to education, hard work and economic freedom."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/opinion/29brooks.html

So, where do we go from here?

Women and the World of Blogging

2008-08-17T00:25:00.002-04:00

NYTimes, by Kara Jesella, 7/27/2008. "Blogging's Glass Ceiling" gives some women a more level playing field in the quest to make money via blogging, at the same time building community.
http://www.blogher.com/.

Here's also what Wikipedia says about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlogHer

The Sacrifice of our Troops

2008-08-17T00:15:00.002-04:00

Whenever I am feeling sorry for myself, thinking of what our troops have suffered while I suffered nothing certainly whacks the self-absorption right out of me.

Giving Back to Veterans, by Joe Klein, Time 7/14/2008. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1820127,00.html

A Mission to Help Those Scarred by War, by Dan Rooney, NYTimes, 8/5/2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/business/05flier.html?_r=1&sq=mission%20scarred&st=cse&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1218946739-Q8DAmve8Vj23973FoSIjog

Are you doing whatever you can to help them?

Is it harder to raise boys or girls? What PARENT Magazine says:

2008-07-23T00:25:00.001-04:00

Here's the link to Paula Spencer's article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/06/17/harder.to.raise/index.html

2 School Entrepreneurs Lead the Way on Change

2008-07-02T17:05:00.002-04:00

NYTimes, 6/19/2008, Sam Dillon. The story/bio of the founder of Teach For America, Wendy Kopp. Shows you where a dream and a great idea can take each of us.

Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/education/19teach.html?scp=1&sq=2+school+entrepreneurs&st=nyt

Prepping Children for the 9 to 5

2008-07-02T16:55:00.003-04:00

NYTimes, 4/17/2008, Lisa Belkin, "Life's Work". Two major points (my opinion) in Lisa's text are:

1. http://www.johnnybunko.com/ Mr. Daniel H. Pink's career-advice comic-book approach that teaches six lessons of life. ("It's not about you", "There is no plan", etc.)

2. The complicated conclusion he tries to teach: "that work can be glorious but grinding, worthwhile and wretched, a place you can't wait to get to and can't wait to leave, something you love but hate to do. Actually the simple truth, and the best message we can give our children."

Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/fashion/17WORK.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=lisa+belkin+prepping+children&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Digital Game-Based Learning

2008-07-02T16:36:00.003-04:00

After this semester's project, I am better educated on what the teaching world and the learning world thinks about Digital Game-Based Learning.

Here is a link: http://edtc645.tamu.edu/group2/main_menu.html

Getting It Right On The Money - Financial Literacy

2008-07-02T16:28:00.002-04:00

The Economist, 4/5/2008, "A global crusade is underway to teach personal finance to the masses". This text describes some current momentum in teaching us dummies about our money. We all need to be better educated on our finances. Many references to other organizations, programs, and individual efforts toward personal financial literacy. Read these 3 pages!

Here's the link: http://www.economist.com/finance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10958702

"Lessons Learned - The Upside of Being Knocked Around"

2008-05-13T15:01:00.003-04:00

New York Times, 5/11/2008. Love this prospective of going through tough times and coming out better for it. About Barack & Hillary. Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/weekinreview/11leib.html?_r=1&sq=upside%20knocked%20around&st=cse&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1210705321-+fTEtSXU2yKZl0aO6LK8EA

Maybe something in this for each of us in our lives?

"It's the Age of the Right Brain."

2008-05-06T21:28:00.004-04:00

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein

New York Times, Sunday, 4/6/2008. Bright Ideas. Unboxed Series, by Janet Rae-Dupree. (Janet has a wonderful series in Unboxed @ NYTimes.com)

Hope for all us Right Brainers !

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/technology/06unbox.html?_r=1&sq=rae-dupree&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=2&adxnnlx=1210123787-am83KdJqIwoA7SM6kPz3gg

Happy reading,

Gayle

"Are You Willing to Move From Curiosity to Wonder?"

2008-05-06T21:21:00.003-04:00

New York Times, Sunday, 5/4/2008, Bright Ideas. Unboxed Series, by Janet Rae-Dupree. Can You Become A Creature of New Habits?

"The mind can't close old roads. But it can build innovative, parallel ones."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/business/04unbox.html?_r=1&sq=rae-dupree&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1210123253-7DsC8XYa+mW73NaNQ4vk7Q

The Opposable Mind, by Roger Martin

2008-05-06T21:10:00.002-04:00

Opposites Attract. Business Week, 5/6/2008. How can we solve problems?

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/di_special/20080123theopposabl.htm

Randy Pausch

2008-05-06T21:02:00.002-04:00

Terminally ill Randy Pausch tells his unique story.

Bet you cry. I do.

http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

More Effective Math Instruction.

2008-03-26T23:32:00.004-04:00

New spin on old ways: USA Today, 3/13/08. Greg Toppo's article on math instruction innovation: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-03-13-math-panel_N.htm

Also, a website to help kids with their educational opportunities:
http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org

Thanks for your interest.

Educational Goals

2008-03-03T15:39:00.008-05:00

For more, please see www.GettingSorted.com/EducationalGoals.html

Thanks!

The Power of Collaboration, Times Three

2008-02-29T10:37:00.005-05:00

In this age of desiring all things "young", here are 3 fresh thinking collaboration stories:

NEW YORK TIMES, 12/9/07, "The Team That Put The Net In Orbit", talks about the cooperation that spawned the open source software movement. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/business/09stream.html?scp=1&sq=markoff+team+net+orbit&st=nyt

NEW YORK TIMES, 2/20/08, "They're Working On Their Own, Just Side By Side", shows us the momentum of "coworking", the history and the progress of a new form of collaboration. Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/business/businessspecial2/20cowork.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=dan+fost+working+side&st=nyt&oref=slogin

ECONOMIST, 12/8/97, "Spreading The Load" discusses harnessing volunteer computers and their owners' brains in novel ways. Here's the link:
http://www.economist.com/search/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10202635&CFID=10740826&CFTOKEN=471d227c86469483-65D81CE3-B27C-BB00-012BECCD2EA3A1A8

Kid For A Day

2008-01-18T16:21:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed Ann Hood's piece in Good Housekeeping, 11/2007.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/school/kid-for-a-day-1107?click=main_sr

If you have a kid or love a kid, read it and be enlightened and encouraged.

Second Careers - Changing Lanes. What Motivates You?

2008-01-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

Several links to Business Week's Second Careers, Changing Lanes recent December edition. Here's the story of a highly-motivated teacher turned nonprofit executive and how he found his new light: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_51/b4063202308685.htm?chan=search

and another link to ideas if you want to earn a seat on a non-profit board: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_51/c4063indepth653719.htm?chan=search

in case you are looking for light.

Texas Woman Focuses on Fostering Children

2007-12-07T14:26:00.000-05:00

Houston Chronicle, 11/29/07, story by Beth Kuhles. Here's the link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/conroe/news/5330387.html Inspiring woman and her action in helping kids. She's Mrs. U.S. America, and deserves it, in my book.

For all of us who think we are doing all we can to help!

An Allowance That's Measured in Minutes, Not Cents

2007-12-07T14:21:00.000-05:00

New York Times, 11/25/07. Julie Bick's piece on a new wrinkle on teaching kids responsibility really caught my eye. Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/business/yourmoney/25allowance.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

In our home, we are already setting up our version of this process, and will be in full gear on 1/1/08. See if it might work for your family.

When Girl Talk Goes Too Far

2007-11-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

Houston Chronicle, 11/26/07. By Sarah Viren. This article discusses "relational aggression, a buzz phrase that incorporates everything from put-downs to rumors", and steps that educators are taking to train and inspire friendship and support among middle-school girls. Here is the link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5328080.html

Society Expects Much of Young Women Today

2007-11-24T13:42:00.000-05:00

The Villager, 11/21/07, Houston Community Newspapers. Student guest journalist Ms. Edmoundson gave me lots of think about. Regardless of our age, as women, what messages do we send? Decide for yourself. Here's the link.
http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19046916&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532207&rfi=8

Congrats, Brittany, for your excellent, thought-provoking piece.

You Never Know Where Innovation Will Take You

2007-11-14T22:48:00.000-05:00

Business Week, 10/1/2007. "Using Spam Blockers to Target HIV, Too". This article is about refocusing spam-blocking technology to take on HIV. As you read about this synergy, be inspired on what ideas you have that can be applied elsewhere. As our young people rise to challenges, encourage them to think way, way, way outside the box. You never know where one idea will take you. Be brilliant!

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_40/b4052063.htm?chan=search

Less Homework, More Yoga, from a Principal Who Hates Stress

2007-11-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

NYTimes, 10/29/2007. "It's very important to protect the part of the culture that leades to all the achievement. It's more about bringing the culture to a healthier place." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/education/29stress.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Let's applaud a high school principal who is innovating, who is thinking about the long-range benefits for our students. Brains need time to wander, to create, to relax, to plan, to invent. Are we really educating our young people or just grinding out the busy work so we can check off yet another box on the list of things we made them do?

You decide, then do what you can to fix it.

"Give Your Kids Wings"

2007-11-13T12:45:00.000-05:00

You gotta respect Elizabeth Edwards, regardless of your politics. You already know most of the reasons. Here is another one.

My favorite quote from her: "We made the choice to live. We won't want to do it surrounded by a veil of tears. I think the best thing you can give your children is wings. To stand by themselves in a stiff wind."

Fly on, Elizabeth.

Classroom of the Future is Virtually Anywhere

2007-11-03T11:43:00.000-04:00

NYTimes, 10/31/2007. Joseph Berger discusses how the virtual classroom is advancing. I will soon be an on-line student, and the possibilities of where it all goes is quite empowering. Our children will accept on-line learning just as readily as they accept corndogs.

Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/college/coll31education.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Improvising way toward adulthood via oddssey years

2007-10-14T21:51:00.000-04:00

David Brooks (my hero) discusses two newly-inserted phases of life: one of these is the oddssey years. Between the teen years and the adult years, this phase is "fluid", and full of discovery.

Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/opinion/09brooks.html?_r=1&n=Top/Opinion/Editorials%20and%20Op-Ed/Op-Ed/Columnists/David%20Brooks&oref=slogin (New York Times, 10/9/2007)

It's Hard to Teach "Kindness, Always" and "Don't Envy"

2007-10-12T11:01:00.000-04:00

Some of the most prickly teachable moments I have with my daughter are those involving:

kindness to others, no matter what they do, and
don't envy other kids their stuff

Recently, during our Bible time together, we chanced upon The Sermon On The Mount (the words of the Lord's Prayer, "give us our daily bread", "as we forgive others who hurt us" . . . ) and The 10 Commandments ("do not envy").

I did catch my lovely girl smiling, as if she got it. Oh, so that's where the words come from!

She and I struggle together as she learns the pain of being socially snubbed and what to do about it.

She wants what seemingly every other kids has----the endless parade of materialistic kid-wants that quickly become ho-hum. Lot of the time, the answer is "no".

In my heart of hearts, I hope that her intelligent, growing soul realizes (or will realize eventually) that true self-contained happiness and safe, smart choices are rewards themselves.

"She who knows she has enough is rich".

(Do I lead by example?)

A Teacher Who Spreads the Burden of Homework to His Students' Parents

2007-10-08T21:21:00.000-04:00

NYTimes, 10/4/07. Tina Kelley writes about Damion Frye's brilliant get-the-parents-involved technique involving their child's homework. Personally, I totally applaud his successful and innovative idea. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/education/04homework.html

Making The Grade: How to Get Your Kid a Good Credit Report

2007-10-04T22:33:00.000-04:00

The Personal Journal section of the WSJ, 9/12/2007, gives us the flip side of credit card seduction on the college crowd: that of a student not being able to get a credit card. What if you wanted your graduate to leave university with a good credit rating, but you had to help make that happen? Here's the link:

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118955043653224322.html

Cyber Bullying Advice on the BBC

2007-09-21T21:36:00.000-04:00

"Schools are being given guidance urging them to take firm action against pupils who use mobile phones and the internet to bully other children and teachers."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7005389.stm

Dodging Debt 101 -- Learn about your credit tools

2007-09-12T15:01:00.000-04:00

Business Week, 9/3/07, "Dodging Debt 101", http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_36/c4048075.htm?chan=search#ZZZ1BRXUO5F gives college students a heads-up on a VISA-sponsored web site. Learn your options on credit (before the pain begins). Click on the Resources box for games.

Protecting Kids from Cyberbullying

2007-09-05T23:15:00.000-04:00

Prepare yourself to help your kids fight off cyberbullies: Parade Magazine, Feb. 25,2007 by Rosalind Wiseman.
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-25-2007/Cyberbullying

Be ready before it happens. This author cites that 90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online.

David Brooks and his Hamilton Agenda Articles

2007-07-04T12:16:00.001-04:00

David Brooks, New York Times, 5/15/07 "A Human Capital Agenda"
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0612F739550C768DDDAC0894DF404482
gives us ideas from his political perspective that works in education: "Come up with something new. Give the country something unexpected. . . . a break with the past . . . . the best circumstances to help people develop their own capacities . . . someone who will stop talking about himself . . . something big and growth-oriented to talk about."

In his follow-up "Reviving the Hamilton Agenda", NYTimes, 6/8/07,
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20F1FFA34540C7B8CDDAF0894DF404482,

Brooks discusses the 4 schools of political economic thought:

limited government conservatives
Hamiltonians
mainstream liberals
populists

and goes on to give concrete solution steps in a political world that also fit well in educating our young people.

Splendid stuff. David Brooks always gets my attention.

Recognizing the Value of a Financial Head Start

2007-04-28T22:18:00.000-04:00

The Houston Chronicle quotes a Washington Post article by Margaret Webb Pressler, citing creative ways to teach kids money responsibility. Using Monopoly money! Get some good ideas: Recognizing the Value of a Financial Head Start http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/4736061.html

And another teachable moment or two, same author: Turn Everyday Opportunities into Learning Experiences: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4736085.html

Texas Jump$tart - Bernanke: Kids Must Learn Finances

2007-04-26T23:06:00.000-04:00

This is from: Courtney Nickles at texasjumpstart@afsaonline.com

Bernanke: Kids Must Learn Finances
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 25, 2007
Filed at 10:48 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It might be a hard sell to kids daydreaming about prom, summer vacation or hanging with friends, but Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tried anyway: Take time to learn how to handle money.
''Although financial matters are probably not at the front of your minds today, the day will come when you will be responsible for managing your own or your family's budget or when you find that you need to save to get the things you want -- a college education, a new car or even your own home,'' Bernanke said Wednesday in remarks prepared for students at Wilson Senior High School.
An explosion of financial products means that people have to be increasingly more financially sophisticated, he pointed out. That also means students need to understand the fundamentals of budgeting, banking, saving and investment, Bernanke said.
''It is also essential that you know how to use -- properly and responsibly -- the many types of credit that will be at your disposal, such as credit cards,'' he added.
In pushing this cause, Bernanke picked up one of the passions of predecessor Alan Greenspan.
A nationwide survey last year found that on average, high school seniors got a flunking grade when it came to financial literacy. They answered correctly only 52.4 percent of questions about personal finance and economics. The survey, sponsored by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, was released by the Federal Reserve.
The dismal results of the survey underscored the need for students to improve their financial know-how.
''As you think about your future, don't forget the importance of financial literacy,'' Bernanke told the students.
In his remarks, he did not talk about the future course of interest rates in the United States or the state of the economy.
Many economists believe the Federal Reserve next month will keep a key interest rate at 5.25 percent, where it has been since last June. Before taking a break, the Fed had steadily boosted rates for two years to fend off inflation.

Preparing For The Worst (you are mortal, you know)

2007-04-20T13:58:00.000-04:00

According to GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, March 2007, page 32, there are steps we as parents should take to prepare our children for personal disaster.

What information will your child need if you aren't always there? Make an inventory list for your children of all:

financial accounts
insurance policy numbers and claim phone numbers (home owners & medical)
doctor/dentist contacts
other relevant information

Some other "what to do" basics to cover with your children:

What about any safe deposit boxes?
Where are extra house keys? (at neighbors? on the premises?)
Who will your child go to if not to you?
Do they know how to contact their guardians?
Where is your will located?
What do they do if there is a fire in the night?

The more you think about, the more important all the data becomes to your children when you are no longer there to protect them. Have a family meeting soon. Train them on what to do. (I put our information into a fire-resistant, water-proof file box, and showed our daughter where to find it.)

Yes, it's too much for us as parents to contemplate.

Denial isn't the point.

What can we do to train our youth on financial savvy? Some great resources are free and available.

2007-03-20T12:31:00.000-04:00

Among the volunteer coalition organizations banding together to teach our young people about financial literacy, check out these two:

National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and the High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP) at http://www.nefe.org/pages/educational.html
Jump$tart Coalition at http://www.jumpstart.org/index.cfm and their state programs at http://www.jumpstart.org/states.cfm

Volunteers are needed. The curriculum is provided at no cost.

What can you do to help?

TIME Article "How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century"

2006-12-30T23:39:00.000-05:00

How do we better educate our young people? Prepare them for the working world? Nurture their EQ? Learn to solve problems on the job? You can add to the future curriculum: check out www.curriki.org, (as mentioned in the article at
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1568480,00.html )

Thank you, Scott McNealy.

Sneak Attack: College Educations and Debt

2006-09-25T16:02:00.000-04:00

It's important to graduate from college, right? Damn the torpedos and the impediments.

Some graduates have found that dealing with the resultant debt (through student loans & credit cards) can really bite them, especially if finding a paying job proves slow after graduation. With little other choice, they move back in with parents, and do their best to live within a budget while fighting their way out of debt. The WASHINGTON POST had an article on this, Boomerang Generation, and here is the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/02/AR2006090200093.html Low paying starter jobs, little in savings, high acquired debt, and educational expenses conspire against their dreams.

Be vigilant in your financial choices. I am not saying it is easy. I am passing on words of wisdom from my old calculus professor, Dr. Travis, "Make clever choices".

May you win.

Kudos to People Taking Action to Help Students

2006-09-20T09:41:00.000-04:00

TutorVista, a Bangalore-based tutoring company, is providing a year of free tutoring to kids in the 10 poorest rural counties in the U.S. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1226166,00.html They are helping to provide the promised tutoring of No Child Left Behind, the tutoring that "80% of the kids entitled to after-school tutoring - at taxpayer expense - aren't getting", this according to the Time article quoting a new government report.

Parade Magazine discusses 5 communities taking action to improve the children's quality of education. http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2006/edition_08-27-2006/Better_Schools It's an inspiration to each of us --- are we truly involved or just paying lip service?

Do a small thing today, each day, to help mentor a child in your periphery. You can decide whether it's merely your duty or a source of joy each day. Each of us who does this invests in our own future, for our children will run the world some day. What kind of a world to we train it to be?

Teens: Make Clever Money Choices Your Tool for the Future

2006-08-26T08:17:00.000-04:00

Money is a wonderful thing. If you start early with good investment plans, smart decisions day-to-day, and a little self discipline, and you can avoid a lot of mistakes that others have made. Here are 3 links to articles that have relevant, intelligent ideas for your wonderful brain to ponder.

Time Magazine's article about teens managing their money:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1194009,00.html

Start NOW!! Saturday Evening Post's article on accumulation "magic":
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/issues/2006/0506/73701155.shtml

Business Week's article on Boomerang Kids, the burden of debt, and how to fix it:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_23/b3987116.htm?chan=search

"He who knows he has enough is rich".

What Have You Done to Earn it?

2006-05-10T10:02:00.000-04:00

When my daughter hits me up in the stores for a new this or a new that, I often ask, "what have you done to earn it?"

She knows the difference between needs and wants, because we talk about that a lot. Her gimme's are a great time to remind her to do her chores, to earn her allowance, and to save her money. Her piggy bank has 4 slots (donate, save, spend and invest). To differentiate between "save" and "invest", try "you save for a new bike or a new skateboard", and "you invest for your college, your house, your car----when you are older". I use the analogy of planting an acorn and watching the tree grow for "invest".

To teach a child self-control, self-discipline in spending, to choose delayed gratification: these are important life-long benefits for their young souls. I refer you to one of my favorite recent Saturday editorials by David Brooks, THE NEW YORK TIMES, "Marshmallows and Public Policy", and here's the link:

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/tsc.html?URI=http://select.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/opinion/07brooks.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=3ea63c3Q2FQ26Q20.dQ26ioQ7E--iQ26m@@LQ26@PQ26@hQ26-Q51wQ5Dw-Q5DQ26@hdQ7E--Ooqci!Q5C

You have to register for Times Select to get the whole article----sorry about that. He discusses how we as adults can affect educational policy, to encourage our children to learn self-control, and how we must teach this repeatedly and by example.

Who's The Adult Here?

2006-05-03T17:58:00.000-04:00

Funny that as long as I keep MY sense of humor and "adult" prospective, I can instruct and lead children toward good choices. If I get emotional, if I get involved personally (bent out of shape), my leadership starts to go down the toilet and the teachable moment is lost. It does no good to get mad back, to lose your cool, to start to negotiate consequences. The consequences must be laid out beforehand, with full disclosure, and they are irrevocably what they are.

Ever tried to negotiate with a mad kid? Ever win such a negotiation?

Who's the adult here?

Listening with respect

2006-04-05T10:50:00.000-04:00

Do you appreciate how smart our kids are?

I'm not so sure that we adults are good enough listeners to the young ones in our lives. The more I listen, truly listen, to my daughter, the more she sparkles, and amazingly exceeds my expectations.

So, try that today. Listening is an act of love and respect. Resist adding your 2 cents worth---don't 1-up anyone----just listen. It's very powerful.

Let me know how it works out.