Flexible Response

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think we...

2009-08-10T19:19:02.497-07:00

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think we all agree that this negatively affects our children, and justly have a fear for the furture. But what about the teachers or coaches who have to deal with the out of control parents? These young men and women are not that far removed and grew up during the time of no lose soccor games and second chance learning. Everyone is a winner, until they aren't. How does this help anyone?

Thanks so much! The issue of how to deal with thos...

2009-08-10T19:09:22.497-07:00

Thanks so much! The issue of how to deal with those who have and those who don't is a biggie! (One of the biggest especially in my district where we all too often assume that these kids have everything, but forget that not all of our students are financially well off.)

no ideas about "how" to incorporate it (...

2009-08-10T17:53:31.758-07:00

no ideas about "how" to incorporate it (sorry, i'm out of school) BUT incorporating it is a lot easier and probably better than trying to fight it; the problem is how do you engage the kid with a blackberry and his best friend whose parents don't have the money for their kids cell phone in the same class-or how to make it part of an assignment while making it "fair" for everyone.

for other examples though--my company has launched an entire campaign exclusively on facebook/twitter. The PR is FREE and the "social" aspect of the networking keeps it friendly. how to make it work for you will take some brainstorming but if you're looking for a fresh example, go to "www.votetravelocity.com." katie

The problem is that in todays society, self suffic...

2009-08-09T18:46:49.382-07:00

The problem is that in todays society, self sufficiency has gone the way of the dinosaurs. We don't push earning what you get, but load kids up with a sense of entitlement. It's not about the common good, but about the self, and nothing else. The Greatest Generation was called so because they learned from failure, they pick themselves up and were better off for it. Parents too often want the world to be rosey, without pains and dissapointment. They tend to want to believe that their kid is perfect, that they always fail to see that sometimes, they lie out of fear of failure, lack of personal responsibility, which is unfortunately learned from their parents or primary influences. When parents can step back and realize that they can best serve their children by working with teachers, instead of trying to manipulate the situation.

Ah, the "wealthy" helicopter parent synd...

2009-08-04T14:52:48.766-07:00

Ah, the "wealthy" helicopter parent syndrome. Their money can buy anything including their children the right grades. I told my mom about the troubles you have had with helicpoter parents and she looked at me like the world has gone insane. I just told her that teaching is like going into combat these days, except without the combat pay to boot. As to your friend Harrka who posted, apparently the answer is "Yes, parents do come with their children to job interviews." There was an article in the local newpaper on that subject just a few years ago.

nice--things you learn help you in the future--and...

2009-08-04T13:32:37.585-07:00

nice--things you learn help you in the future--and the kids will remember those things in the future!

i agree--my dad who deals with students at the col...

2009-08-04T13:30:59.024-07:00

i agree--my dad who deals with students at the collegiate level (the kids that don't know what to do with their lives, major, career end up in his office). a lot of students cannot write well, barely understand basic things and are ready to have their parents come rescue them. no matter where it starts, it has to end sometime--if it ends at "college time" then that's a rough time to learn the ropes for yourself; and more frequently--it's not ending in college...so what, is your mom going to line up a job interview for you and wait outside the door there?! life hurts sometimes but kids, when they learn from it, make it easier "down the road"...

so true rhonda... i know my mom has told me many ...

2009-08-04T13:05:25.820-07:00

so true rhonda... i know my mom has told me many horror stories about this. one parent was continually harassing a teacher about nonsensical things in her district. she was sending ridiculous amounts of emails, and some boredered on the edge of threatening. my mom met with the teacher, the parent, and her husband. it turns out the husband had no idea what she was doing and started reaming her out in front of my mom and the teacher. the parent ceased harrassment of the teacher after that!

One of my prize moments was realizing the week bef...

2009-08-02T16:09:10.274-07:00

One of my prize moments was realizing the week before finals that one of my students did not understand the basic concept of the cases of nouns - accusative, dative, etc. She knew they took different forms, but just plain didn't understand why. And had never asked. *headdesk*
~Yer former slob roomate