Education: Do you really know what going on at school.

I recently had a conversation with a Assistance Principal of a local high school. We began to talk about how many students really do not receive a actual HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. Many schools systems are not making it well known that if the student doesn't pass certain test or have the right credits they don't receive a diploma, its just a "Certificate of Completion". This certificate just states that the student has attended school for 12 long years. It has value and is not accepted for employment, college, trade school, or the military. So why is it that many education systems are NOT stressing the importance of actually COMPLETING high school and receiving a DIPLOMA?

While I had to battle this with my daughter I learned a few things:

1. Stay involved. Many school even when the child is in high school and learning to be independent have parent information sessions. Attend them as this is a good way to learn what all is going on with your child and at the school.

2. Ask questions. Many times we can find out what is happening around us just by asking. Ask for a parent teacher conference. This a good resource to know how your child is responding at school. A lot of times the teacher will see behavior changes that we sometimes miss. Find out what does your child need to complete and receive the diploma. Please do not wait to receive a letter saying failing before you become proactive as a parent.

3. Pay attention. With social media being so popular it is easy for our children to get lost or caught up in things they often read or see. If we as parents are alert and watching what out children are doing this won't catch us by surprise and we will be more able to have full control of the situation.

4. Push reading. Years ago reading for blacks was against the law and now we have more opportunities but don't take advantage of them. Many of our kids simple dislike reading books especially the ones that are over 100 pages. They don't realize that the more they read they are gaining knowledge that can help later in life. I read a post that stated "Smart People Read". Let's as parents encourage our children to read even if requires setting up a book club where they receive rewards for finishing books.

If we do our job as parents and go above and beyond when it comes to our children education, we can sit back and be proud of the "Seeds You Plant".

Holiday Shopping

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we didn't have to play Santa? What if we just decided to not partake in different rituals due to the real meaning behind them? A few years ago I decided to not to allow my life to be like others when it came to many holidays. In times past I would go all out buying all kinds of things many for ungrateful children who I told myself I didn't want them to be without. So often I would charge credit cards, use bill money to pay, or even take out loans just to cover expenses for holidays. A light went off as I realized that them kids ain't going to die if they don't get like other kids heck it might make them appreciate the fact they were told the truth. The thing that most bothered me is when a parent goes all out for their children who don't respect them enough to go to school(on time), get decent grades, or even help with house chores, but yet we go stand in long lines trying to get the things they don't need nor deserve! #THE SEEDS YOU PLANT...... the strange thing is when we really want to enforce them to do something and they don't what then. They(the child/children) have everything they need and want so why would they now would they listen. Then comes the behavior problems and the list goes on......... When you are ready to live your life for you and not for the worldly standards I challenge you to train your child correctly so they grow up respecting you for telling the truth, knowing how to save and not live beyond their means, and mostly don't allow yourself to be stressed out worrying how you gonna make it over. Lets do better and be better.

Who's House?

It's almost Christmas. Report cards came out 3 weeks ago and good grades are not in sight. There is a list of things that is given to Santa Clause as a "what I want" list. Did I mention their room looks like a tornado ran in it and they have been told several times to clean up? Oh, and when they are asked to do something it takes them forever because its a inconvenience for them to put down the phone that we pay for. Now its time to go shopping and the list is checked twice. As a matter of fact some of us have to borrow money to finish paying for the gifts that they don't need nor deserve. Why do we allow a person who for one don't pay a single bill to dictate what they are going to do in our house and when? Better yet why are we going through so much just to give them more power when they won't even take the time to get the education they need nor clean up. We have got to do better as parents. As this is not helping our children it actually hurts them and when they get around people who don't cater to their needs they act out and don't know how to function. Its time for us to do better do our children don't get placed in this trap and they began to learn that life won't give them everything they want. You will have to earn some things. work hard for some things. and not have some things as well.,...... The Seeds You Plant will take you a long way.

Are we really raising them right?

Recently I have had several conversations about parenting and how many of us feel we have to raise our children better than we were. A lot of us really try hard to make sure we give our children a better life than what we had coming up. This could be any where from education, the environment we raise them in, the things we buy them, etc. The conversation was are we really doing a better job raising them or are we just spoiling them? Something to consider is how this generation of youth don't appreciate having  lot of the things we didn't such as a house that isn't shared with other family members, air conditioner, named brand shoes and clothes, and the list goes on. Many youth feel this is something we owe them and if they don't have what "THEY" feel is suitable enough for them, they act out. REALLY! Now this isn't the real problem. the real problem is many parent give in to this behavior giving the youth power. Not only is this dangerous but it also gives the youth no sense of responsibility nor does it allow them to earn/work for certain things. We as parents are responsible for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing. There is no law that states we have to give youth what they asked for. So why do many of us work two jobs, overtime, bust our backs just to give this generation more power? It's time for us to take our position back!www.kimberlyrcox.com