Parenting

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The Newer, Younger Definition of Bullying

Parents have always had dilemmas about letting their kids out into the world. It is very natural for parents to be concerned about their kids, and to worry about them. If it was possible, I’m sure a lot of parents would have happily stayed with their children 24/7 –just to watch over them while they go to school, while they play in the park, while they sleep over with their friends.

Definition of BullyingAlas, this is not possible, and also not healthy for both parent and child. Letting a child on his own gives him the opportunity to develop as an individual, to bond with other people, and to decide for themselves. But parents will always be concerned, especially when they know that there are prowlers around, just lurking and waiting for an opportunity to strike.

One common concern of parents is bullying. While they can always protect their kids from bodily or mental harm, whenever they are around, they cannot do so when they are away from their kids. And nowadays there is even the more complicated, the more “present” cyberbullying.

Parents need to toe the line when it comes to getting information about their kids. They cannot obviously become stalkers on Facebook just to watch out if there are bullies lying about. They can’t call on these bullies and tells them to back off – that will definitely have some repercussions. The safest way will be to communicate to the kids and to tell them that parents are always just waiting for their cry of help, and that they are constantly loved, no matter what.


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420 days ago • Parenting, Rants • Tags:

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Music Does Wonders To A Child’s Development

You may think that science subjects, like Mathematics, will not have anything to do with art subjects, like Music. You may just find yourself mistaken, as many studies have already shown the correlation between musical training and improved mathematical skills, among others. Music is always a part of traditional learning, but many alternative learning methodologies give more emphasis on music, believing that it does wonders to a child’s development. Classical music is known to increase a child’s concentration, and even babies still in their mummy’s tummy are encouraged to listen to classical music.

music lesson for kidsThey say it makes the kids smarter, but we all know that there are more factors affecting a child’s development than just plain listening to music. But what cannot be denied being the fact that enrolling a child in a school of music boosts the child’s confidence and self-esteem, two important factors that are necessary in life. It also gives them better confidence to interact with different kinds of people, taking away the usual unnecessary inhibition children have around other people.

Educating your child in music does not have to be expensive. You can start them small by having private tutorials or enrolling them in summer class, until you find what it is they enjoy the most. You can also try out different instruments, and while buying these is admittedly quite an investment. You can be creative and let your kid try them out by borrowing from friends, asking for free trials in music stores and the likes. When you find out what it is he likes most, that’s the time to really support your child’s cognitive development through music.


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430 days ago • Parenting, Practical Tips

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Fast Disconnection between Parents and Kids : Blame it to Technology?

Sometimes I feel for technology – yes, it pricks my heart when technology is blamed for several things. This week alone has recorded countless posts and articles on whether our kids’ recalcitrance or stubbornness, is tied to technology. Kids are excessively engrossed in Facebook and texting – they can barely think of any other meaningful things to do. People go on and on blaming technology for the ill-behavior of kids.

Now, there tend to be a different trend – the question has been rephrased this way; “Are we getting lonelier with technology?” This is the headline of the Time Magazine recently. This headline is an outcome of an interview with the director and founder of MIT Initiative on Technology & Self – Sherry Turkle.

Sherry just published a new book with the title “Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other” In this book, she argues that the recent massive digital connection rather than ‘one on one’ physical association is impacting relationships negatively.

Much emphasis in Sherry’s book was made on younger kids and teens as well. Concerned about the fast disconnection between parents and kids, as digital communication has taken over. The adults are to get the bulk of the blame. Even at meal times, parents tend to lay hold of their blackberry phones or iPhones. So, kids are now having the opinion that staying connected digitally is the in-thing. The child-parent relationship has now been replaced with e-mailing and messaging.

So, what do you expect, things would only get worse as these young people grow up, since they’ve learnt (by observation) to depend on technology and digital communication. Now, they prefer texting to talking, and would easily push their books aside for a video game. What’s the essence of going out of your way to meet someone physically when you can connect with them fully on Twitter or Facebook?

Well, the argument is not new, it’s been on for a while – even decades past. Previous generations had also blamed technology for (whether a TV, radio or even printing press) the distanced relationships in families and denial of meaningful conversation among friends. Of course, telephone was not exonerated from this blame – they argued that well-written letter has become a rare ‘commodity’ as people now rely so much on the telephone for conversation and communication (both formal and informal communication).

It’s up to us to determine if the communication technological tools would control us, or if we should be the ones to control them. We can choose to improve our relationship with texting, emailing, Facebook, Skype and so on. On the other hand, we can choose to do otherwise. We should be the ones dictating the pace.

Are you among those who feel that technology is impacting our relationships negatively? Can we get lonelier by using technology? We want to share in your opinion.

Image: by Tina Phillips

450 days ago • Parenting, Practical Tips, Rants, Technology & Gadgets, Words of Inspiration

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Parents Should Learn About Cyberbullying, Too

For most parents, cyberbullying is not even a proper word, that’s because it did not exist in the past. But just because it’s a new word doesn’t mean it’s not something we, parents, should not be concerned about. Bullying takes many forms and sizes, and it is only logical that should happen in the cyber world, given the fact that most of our kids spend a good deal of their time in this world. The many channels of communication and information has its downside, too, and cyberbullying is one of them.

cyberbullyingOnce you let your child have access to the cyberworld either through the use of a smartphone or a laptop, you need to know that you are letting her walk right into the many risks associated with it.

That is why it is important to still hold her hand and let her know that you are involved every step of the way. While you should let her have her privacy, you should let her know that she should talk to you about anything or anyone bothering her, and she will not be punished in any way for it.

Children sometimes have a tendency to keep secrets from their parents in fear that it will eventually be taken out on them. This is something you should avoid at all times. Remember that the only way for you to really connect to your child is to communicate, and to have a very open line of communication at that.

Cyberbullying is real, and while it may be less painful than physical bullying, the effects may be more harmful and long lasting. So always be on the lookout for your kids.


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466 days ago • Parenting, Practical Tips • Tags:

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