GenParenting

Parenting resources for all who love and care for children

Preparing for High School and Beyond

Preparing for High School and Beyond

This summer, my oldest is preparing to enter her 8th grade year of school. While it is certainly a milestone year and we will celebrate the end of the middle school years, we don’t want high school to arrive and then be caught off guard that we weren’t prepared! So, even while one stage in life ends, we are looking forward to the next. This summer, we are getting her prepared to know what to expect for high school and beyond.

Remediation

Our first step is to look back and think about her weaknesses. Looking at her educational path, are there areas that may need more review or support? Will she need more repetition in an academic area so she doesn’t lose skills over the summer and be a victim of the “summer slide”? [Read more…]

An Educator’s Reflection on George Floyd’s Tragic Death

An Educator’s Reflection on George Floyd’s Tragic Death

I am the Executive Director of Youth Policy Institute Charter Schools in the Los Angeles area. Last week, I sent the following message about George Floyd’s tragic death to my schools’ staff members.

As the mother of a 21-year-old son, I am stunned, angered, and not surprised, once again by the inhumane treatment of African-Americans. The images of today’s events, along with memories of stories repeated and passed down from one generation to another in my family are so clearly seared in my mind. The events leading up to George Floyd’s death and after have been extremely challenging for me to process as an adult. I am certain that it has been the same for many of our staff and children who have been living through the violence. [Read more…]

Writing in Community

Writing in Community

Social distancing does not mean being stuck at home in isolation! In fact, we have plenty of ways to reach out and connect with others. Some have used this time to contact family and friends through video calls. Some may have even taken a walk through their neighborhood for some fresh air, chatting with neighbors safely at a distance from the sidewalk! Even though we enjoy the immediacy of connecting with those with whom we are familiar, let’s do some good, old fashioned writing activities and connect with members of the community with whom we might not have considered. [Read more…]

My College Son Thrives When Sheltering in Place!

My College Son Thrives When Sheltering in Place!

E.J. is now in his third year at U.C. Berkeley as a college senior. He has chosen to continue his life at the university in the Bay Area during the coronavirus pandemic. My first reaction to his decision was panic because I wanted my son to return home where life would be safe. My son convinced me that his decision to continue to shelter in place at the university was best because he was used to studying in his college residence while continuing his studies online. [Read more…]

Supporting Your Child’s Schedule for Distance Learning

Supporting Your Child’s Schedule for Distance Learning

It’s worth acknowledging here that our world has changed drastically since sheltering in place due to COVID-19. From an education standpoint, teachers frantically raced against the clock to transition all their lessons to online distance learning, while simultaneously learning said online platform. On the home front, parents faced the new reality of spending 24/7 with their children all while trying to manage working from home. We’re in a topsy-turvy situation at best! Now that school districts across the nation have announced distance learning for the remainder of this school year, how can parents best support their children’s schedule while at home? [Read more…]