And You Will Have Kids

Nowadays, it’s common for students to take standardized tests during their school career.  In our state, students must take standardized tests and also benchmark tests several times a year to determine if they have learned the required amount of information.  If they haven’t learned the information, they are required to take after school tutoring, or attend summer school.  Another round of testing is scheduled after winter break too!

Testing can be stressful for students, their parents, and their teachers. There are some things that parents can do to make sure that their children are well prepared for the standardized testing sessions. Being well prepared can help to lower children’s stress levels, which is a great thing! More →

Dear “And You Will Have Kids”,

My children are starting their winter break.  They’ll be off of school for 2 weeks! I’ve no idea how to keep them busy and out of trouble.  HELP!

Frazzled Mom

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Marcia (not her real name) was having serious issues with her son who refused to go to school.  Some days, he refused to go. Other days, he’d walk to the bus stop and just disappear. Later in the day, the school would call her to inform her that her son had never shown up.  After being contacted by a truancy officer, Marcia knew that she had to do something about her son’s behavior.  Marcia took her son to a counselor who diagnosed him with school phobia.

About 5-10% of American school children suffer from school phobia according to experts.  School phobia is a type of anxiety disorder.  Children who develop this type of phobia become obsessed with avoiding school in an effort to reduce their anxiety.  Some children with school phobia also develop panic attacks when they attend school.  About 1% of children develop serious problems with school phobia.  School phobia is highest in children ages 11-14.

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Dear “And You Will Have Kids,”

My son is 11.  He refuses to do his homework and just wants to play video games when he’s at home. I’m tired of arguing with him and getting calls from his teachers. He just doesn’t care at all about school or his grades.  What do I do?

Frustrated Mom

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Today, my son went for immunizations (shots) and his appointment was at a satellite office different than the office we usually visit.  They hadn’t shipped our records over to the satellite office!  Small little error, but the consequences are huge in a way. I’ve taken some time out of my work day, driven to the office which cost me gas money, and I’ve paid a co-pay for my insurance so my child could see the doctor.  Luckily, I had my own copy of the records so I could prove what shots my child had been given.  The visit was saved!

ALMOST….he is starting with a double ear infection and so the shots were put off until 2 weeks from now…BUT you get my point. It’s really important to keep your own records, to be informed on immunization issues, and not to rely on your child’s doctor to do this for you! More →

I am amazed at the amount of homework my children bring home some days.  In our state, the learning objectives are pretty rigorous.  The children are taught things at a brisk pace and concepts are constantly being reviewed so that they can pass the standardized tests required by federal law.  In order to keep up with the pace, many students must take home a considerable amount of work to be completed at home. 

 Perhaps it would not be so difficult for students who do not have learning challenges.  However, federal laws which say that no child should be left behind pose unique challenges for those of us with special needs children who, it seems, are expected to keep up the same pace of learning as their non-challenged peers.  I am sure that teachers will have a different perspective on my observation; I am just relaying my perspective as a parent of children with learning challenges.

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