I just watched the Connect With Kids "Silent Witness" video and my heart is HURTING.  First, I want so much for my kids to be the ones who stand up to the bully.  But if they are being bullied, will they tell me?  Right now they all three attend really small schools where there is a lot of teacher supervision.  But my oldest goes to middle school next year and we are considering a large public school.  Academics DO NOT worry me, it is the social stuff.  And bullying takes on so many forms, not just physical.

I know I have to just let him go and hope that we have laid a foundation of trust, of self esteem and respect for himself, but it is so hard.  My child is not athletic - he is quirky and smart and kind - prime target for a bully.    Has anyone else dealt with this - and what are signs I should look for?  And do the schools respond?  I just want to feel better about sending him off into the big bad world!!

 

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I'm longing for the days when my son thought that stupid was the WORST most vile word in the English language and the worst thing he knew to call his little brother was an evil alien.   Now it seems words like idiot, moron, shut-up, etc. are just part of the accepted vernacular for young kids.  They hear them on what I feel like are otherwise benign TV shows and movies.  I have considered ridding my house of all viewing outlets, but I'm not sure that is the answer.  Where do other parents draw the line? 

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My husband and I have not yet begun giving our children an allowance.  However, we are looking for advice on the best way to go about it.  I have read that a good guideline is $1 per age - which seems OK to me (my kids are 6, 8, and 10.)  What I'd like to know is if other families have restrictions on what the money is used for;  (I think my six year old would put it all in the coke machine or beg me to buy candy with it)  what is a good age to start; and should it be conditional upon their completing chores and/or their behavior?  I'd love to know what has worked for other families.  

 

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First let me say I adore my daughter.  But I'm seeing signs of her being the bossy one in her friendships.  I'm doing my best to model kind behavior and talk to her about friendship - about NEVER leaving anyone out - empathy in general really.   I'm just seeing a fine line between being bossy and being the "leader."  It also used to be easier to be a fly on the wall and hear the exchanges but as she is getting older, I can't listen in as much - and frankly, she is not under my watchful eyes and ears as much.  So how would you know if your child was the one making others unhappy or feel bad about themselves???

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I'm writing an article about the popularity of social networks for preteens and focusing on the international aspect of the networks. I wondered if your preteen had meet a lot of friends from other countries and if they felt like they liked being able to chat easily with kids from around the world?

My 8 year old daughter has only tip-toed into Club Penguin but wants to do more. (My research for this article will help me decide if that's a good thing or not!) My older daughter played Neo Pets for a while but grew out of it. Neither one has really experienced meeting lots of online friends, so our family isn't exactly a good example of how "social" these sites can be. :-)

Anyway - I'd love to know what other families' experiences.

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I do not have super athletic or competitive children.  Unfortunately, I live in an area where winning seems to be more important to the parents and thus the kids than having fun.  I would really like for my kids to experience the fun of being on a team and have the exercise benefits, but in the past they have either had to sit on sidelines a lot, or listen to other kids (and parents) tell them they are not very good.  Does anyone have any advice? 

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At what age do I have a genuine talk to my kids about "boyfriends and girlfriends?"  I don't want to trivialize it when they come home and say so and so likes me but I also don't want to embarass them or make TOO big of a deal about it.  My parents used good 'ol shame and I was terrified of the opposite sex well into college.  I don't want that for my kids, rather a healthy respect for themselves.  Looking for a balance - any ideas?

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I have a rule in my car about the music (loosely defined as anything with words) that we listen to. My rule is it has to be appropriate for my ears.

If I hear any words that sound like or rhyme with obscene works the song doesn't continue to play. No matter how much he tries to convince me that she really was saying" Thank you" and not what it sounded like to me, it gets changed. I am accused of being everything from racist to old to deaf.

Several of the "songs" my 11-year-old son listens to, would fall into no known category of music. As long as I don't hear any inappropriate words it can continue to play. Any suggestions on how to compromise between generations of music listeners?

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