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Family

Fostering Academic Success at Home: Structuring Study Schedules and Spaces, Part 2

Last updated on June 10, 2017 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

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Parental relationships go a long way toward fostering academic success, but not nearly as much as when parents communicate educational expectations and prioritize academics themselves (see Part 1). Including school work in the schedule and providing study spaces for your kids can go a long way toward communicating your support and the priority you place on hard work and education, in general.

At the same time, though, there is no replacement for the kind of help and support you can offer by your presence and direct involvement in your child’s education.

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Daily Support for High Achievers

How much help and support does your child need? How much should you offer? Those are difficult questions and will depend largely on your child’s school, academic aptitudes, and personality. Even the most self-motivated, independent learner can benefit from having someone quiz her before an upcoming test or quiz, and simply asking about what she is learning — even possibly teaching you something you don’t understand or had forgotten — can help your child cement the concepts for herself.

When your child is enthusiastic about something that does not genuinely interest you, it’s still important to listen as an extension of your love and support for your child. Of course, asking about the outcome of a specific project or test communicates support, as well. For high achievers who can become frustrated about a single percentage point, parents can use the opportunity to curb perfectionist tendencies and encourage a productive focus instead of focusing on resentments.

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Daily Support for Low Achievers

When you look over your child’s homework and see errors, it’s important not to simply tell him the answer or communicate frustration. Instead, you can begin by pointing out correct answers or well-written areas and asking your child how he arrived at them, then try pointing out the mistake and asking if your child realizes what he should have done, instead. Perhaps he is simply rushing in order to have time to call a friend before bedtime or is distracted by events of the day.

If your child is consistently struggling, the material may be above his or her ability, or the classroom communication may be missing the mark. By providing your child with study support, you’ll know when intervention may be needed sooner, rather than later, eliminating the potential for shock over a poor report card.

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Parental Support at School

While daily support cannot be overemphasized, the occasional parental presence in the classroom and involvement in school activities and events goes a long way toward encouraging student success. Or maybe it’s simply the fact that the kinds of parents who tend to get involved are the ones already demonstrating the fact that education is important and doing all they can to encourage academic success at home.

Whatever the relationship, the correlation between parental school involvement and academic success of children is pretty clear, so next time a teacher asks for a parent volunteer, realize that you’re not just helping the teacher, you’re helping your child, too.

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The Bedroom Source

Located near the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, NY, The Bedroom Source is your source for the best collection of children’s and teen bedroom furniture. From flexibly configurable Maxtrix furniture to fashionable Berg collections, The Bedroom Source offers high end furniture and professional design assistance to create the bedroom of your child’s dreams.

Contact the friendly staff at The Bedroom Source by calling (516) 248-0600 or by visiting www.BedroomSource.com. We’re a local family owned mom & pop store. When you shop with us, you’re dealing directly with the owners. We professionally assemble everything we sell. We deliver to Long Island, the 5 Boroughs of New York City, Rockland, southern Connecticut, and northern New Jersey.

Filed Under: Academics, Family

Parents: Look to Hollywood Movies for Parenting Tips

Last updated on May 31, 2017 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

Throughout many famous and award-winning Hollywood movies, parents impart wisdom and advice to their children. From comedies to dramas, the parent and child relationship is always an important one. While Hollywood movies are, of course,  fictional, their themes and messages can still apply to real life relationships. Look to the screenwriters in Southern California to help you teach your teenager some valuable life lessons. Below are some of our favorite Hollywood parenting tips:

To Kill A Mockingbird

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch is a father of wisdom and courage. He raises his children to accept everyone, especially in a changing world. Like Atticus, you, too, should teach your teenage son or daughter to avoid judging other people. As an outsider, it’s impossible for you to know what they’re going through, so rather than condemning others for their differences, it’s far better to simply accept that you don’t know everything and to treat that person with love and respect.

Big Daddy

“You can be scared that I might get pick-pocketed in a bad neighborhood or break my legs skiing. But don’t be scared about me being a dad because I will not fail. I love this kid too much. I love him as much as you love me, Dad. I’m gonna give him advice, and I’m gonna guide him. And I’ll be there whenever he needs me.”– Sonny Koufax

Although Big Daddy is admittedly an unlikely place to search for parenting tips, the movie does provide a message that is very important for teens to learn: Like Sonny- a lazy, unaccomplished manchild- no parent is perfect. Although most parents are much better off than Sonny, like every other human being, parents will make their fair share of mistakes. As teens age and mature, they will probably come to learn this on their own, but it’s important for you to remind them that despite Mom and Dad’s shortcomings, you are trying your absolute best. And just because you aren’t a perfect person doesn’t mean that you don’t still know what’s best for them.

Forrest Gump

“Life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.” -Mrs. Gump

When Forrest Gump asks his mother what his destiny will be, she responds with this clever quote to teach Forrest that he cannot plan every detail of his life. You should also impart this lesson to your teen. You never know where life will take you, so rather than stressing about those things that take you by surprise, it’s better to try your best to adjust to them and move on. Learning to adapt to change is one of the most important skills you can teach your teenage son or daughter.

Even with the guidance of those who came before you, parenting through the teenage years can be extremely difficult. If things have gotten out of control, there’s no shame in admitting that you need the help of an expert. The qualified staff at Christian boarding schools are an excellent resource for helping you and your family through the trying teenage years. Specializing in treating troubled and at-risk teens, these schools approach education with a balance of discipline and love, and their methods have helped countless teens transform into intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually healthy young adults.

Filed Under: Family

Family Vacations With the Not-So-Excited Teen

Last updated on May 21, 2017 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

As a parent, you realize your golden years with your children are rapidly ending. As children become teenagers, they’ll likely try to assert their independence by asking to go on trips with friends instead of with Mom and Dad or by asking to stay home while the rest of the family goes on vacation. However, despite your teen’s lack of enthusiasm, there are ways to ensure that the whole family has a good time on vacation- even your teenager. So rather than dragging them along, kicking and screaming, and allowing them to spoil the rest of the family’s fun, consider the following tips to help you plan a great vacation that the whole family will enjoy:

Don’t crowd them.

Crowding into a basic, two bedroom hotel room with one bathroom and five people is not fun. Stress and tension will build as family members fight over outlet space and who they have to share a bed with. Instead, consider spending a extra few dollars to book a second room. Allowing each family member- especially teenagers- to have their own personal space will go a long way in ensuring that everyone remains levelheaded and happy throughout the trip.

Let them invite a friend.

If your family can afford it, consider allowing your teen to bring one of their friends along on your trip. At this stage in their lives, many teens value their friends as much as they value their family, so allowing them to bring a friend along on your trip could be a great way to make everyone happy. Your teen is happy because they don’t feel isolated from their group of friends while they’re away, and the rest of the family is happy because your teen is happy. In this situation, everybody wins.

Give everyone some responsibility.

No teen wants to go on a vacation in which they’re dragged around from place to place with little say in activities. To combat this, consider giving everyone some responsibility in planning the trip. For example, set a rotating schedule dictating who gets to choose the restaurants and attractions that your family visits that day.

Make time for activities that they’ll enjoy, too.

The last thing your teenager wants to do is be trapped at an amusement pack wearing mouse ears and riding spinning tea cups all day. Instead, pick a destination where your teen will be happy. Many resorts or attractions have teenager-friendly activities that can spark excitement in your otherwise unenthusiastic teen. If you set aside part of your trip especially for your teenager, they will feel much more included.

Make an effort.

Although resistant at times, teenagers still do love their parents. Show affection and love as you spend time at new destinations, and rather than stressing about getting from place to place, try to take the time to enjoy the laughs and smiles. Tell stories of your past, and connect with your teenage son or daughter. Communicating freely will strengthen your relationship and will help you build memories that will last a lifetime.

Traveling with teenagers is never an easy task, and parenting through the teenage years can be extremely difficult. If things have gotten out of control, there’s no shame in admitting that you need the help of an expert. The qualified staff at Christian boarding schools are an excellent resource for helping you and your family through the trying teenage years. Specializing in treating troubled and at-risk teens, these schools approach education with a balance of discipline and love, and their methods have helped countless teens transform into intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually healthy young adults.

Filed Under: Family

Fostering Academic Success at Home: Structuring Study Schedules and Spaces, Part 1

Last updated on May 11, 2017 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

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Whether you as a parent are confident or wary about your children’s school, teachers, and the academic state of the union, in general, the most important thing you can do is to foster academic success on the home front. In a landmark 2012 study involving 10,000 students, the findings significantly place importance on your role as parent: “while both school and family involvement are important, the role of family involvement is stronger when it comes to academic success.”

That involvement includes both nurturing relationships (see Being Intentional about Family Relationships Part 1 and Part 2) and specifically being involved in your children’s education. What exactly does that mean? While it starts with an attitude and expectations, it is demonstrated by concrete schedules and spaces that demonstrate the fact that parents see academics as significant and positive.

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Study Schedules and Routines

Whether your kids know that as soon as they get home, it’s time for a snack and then alone time for quiet study in their rooms, or a chance to just veg out for a few minutes before dinner before hitting the books afterward, the important component is a schedule or routine. Once the habit is formed, kids know what’s expected of them, and parents benefit from not having to argue or nag.

Just like anything that becomes part of the parent-imposed routine, when doing homework and studying takes a central place in the family’s daily routine, its presence communicates the parental value placed on education, as well as the work ethic that precludes success during the school years and beyond.

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Study Spaces for Support

Many families find that the kitchen table is an ideal place for kids to work on homework, especially when parents are preparing or cleaning up from meals nearby. The central location allows kids easy access to parental help and support as well as the all-important study snacks!

While the kitchen table is a great place to foster closer parent-child relationships, it really shouldn’t be the only place your children study. Sometimes, a quiet place for independent work is needed — especially if you have more than one child in the house. That’s where a separate study space becomes important.

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Study Spaces for Independent Learning

Whether you have a designated “office” for your child or simply a corner of a bedroom dedicated to school work, it seems that a simple piece of furniture goes a long way toward communicating the fact that school work is important: Your child needs a desk (view a selection of available desks).

Having this dedicated piece of furniture designed to provide space for study materials turns out to be a significant way that parents can communicate the significance of academics while equipping their kids for success in school.

Continue reading with Part 2.

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The Bedroom Source

Located near the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, NY, The Bedroom Source is your source for the best collection of children’s and teen bedroom furniture. From flexibly configurable Maxtrix furniture to fashionable Berg collections, The Bedroom Source offers high end furniture and professional design assistance to create the bedroom of your child’s dreams.

Contact the friendly staff at The Bedroom Source by calling (516) 248-0600 or by visiting www.BedroomSource.com. We’re a local family owned mom & pop store. When you shop with us, you’re dealing directly with the owners. We professionally assemble everything we sell. We deliver to Long Island, the 5 Boroughs of New York City, Rockland, southern Connecticut, and northern New Jersey.

Filed Under: Academics, Family

Stopping Sibling Rivalry

Last updated on May 1, 2017 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

Sibling rivalry occurs between almost every sibling. It may not be an issue in some families, but other families are nearly torn apart by brothers’ and sisters’ hatred for one another.

In real life and fiction, no family is perfect. Every parent claims they do not have a favorite child, but sometimes it is hard for a parent not to be proud of one over another. As a result, sibling rivalries exist in many homes and can often be quite vicious.

Teenagers are especially prone to sibling rivalry. Since the teen years are already so difficult, problems like sibling rivalry can be blown completely out of proportion. A sibling doing better in school or a parent boosting the other child’s self-esteem can damage the teenage child more than most parents realize. As a parent, it is your responsibility to control sibling rivalry. Below are some of the most effective ways to reduce jealousy and help build long-lasting friendships between siblings.

Showing love

Show love to all of your children equally. Tell your children that you love them and value each of them individually, and spend dedicated time with each child separately. This one-on-one time will show your children that they are important to you.

Stopping fights

By preventing fights, you are teaching your children to work through their problems more maturely, and you also prevent hostile moods between your children.  When stopping a fight, be sure to treat both children equally.

Never blame the elder child for the fight simply because they are the older sibling.  This can lead to serious and sometimes lifelong feelings of resentment and lead them (and the younger sibling, as well) to believe that the younger sibling is able to “get away with anything” simply because they are the baby.  Treat both children equally, and allow them each to give their sides of the story uninterrupted, as this promotes feelings of fairness.

Promoting regularity

Develop household routines. Have the family sit together for meals and family meetings, and set a schedule of different responsibilities for each child. A chore wheel with a rotating schedule helps  to ensure fairness, as each child will have different chores depending on the week, which helps to prevent jealousy. Your family’s rules should be simple and clear, and each child should be reprimanded and rewarded equally for their choices about whether to break or follow the rules.

Avoiding comparisons

Never compare your children. Categorizing them by their dominant traits can be detrimental to their self-esteem. Introducing one as “the straight-A student” and the other as “the athletic one” helps to instill in your children’s minds that you value some of their traits over others. By typecasting siblings, they can easily see which one of them you believe is better, stronger, or smarter than the other. This greatly lowers the other child’s self-esteem, and it has a severely negative impact on the sibling relationship.

Keeping negative opinions to yourself

Although you should feel comfortable talking with your children about family dynamics, it’s important that you never “bash” one child in front of the other. Should the other child ever find out that you spoke badly about them behind their back to the other child, they will probably come to believe that you love the other child more than them. Treat your children with respect, and never give a child any reason to believe that you love them less than their brother or sister.

Although sibling rivalries may never be completely prevented, as a parent, you do have the power to minimize their negative impact. Treat your children as equally as possible, and give them the opportunity to develop in their own way without pressure to compete with their siblings. All children are unique- even children from the same family- so it’s important treat them as such and to avoid making comparisons between children.

Parenting through the teen years can be extremely difficult, and if things have gotten out of control, there’s no shame in admitting that you need the help of an expert. The qualified staff at Christian boarding schools are an excellent resource for helping you and your family through the trying teenage years. Specializing in treating troubled and at-risk teens, these schools approach education with a balance of discipline and love, and their methods have helped countless teens transform into intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually healthy young adults.

Filed Under: Family

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