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Parent Education
Ninth District PTA
Parenting During Tough Economic Times
If you're a parent with money worries, life can be pretty tough. You might need time to earn extra money, work on your finances or just unwind from a draining, demanding day. But your kids still need your attention, and they may have worries of their own. How can you parent well when times are tough? Consider some steps that can support your family and preserve your own health and well-being.
Limit kids' exposure to worries. Try not to talk too much about your own fears when the kids are listening, and consider turning off the TV news. You may think your 5-year-old tunes out adult topics, but he may hear just enough to spark his active imagination.
Share honestly but appropriately. Secrets can be scary. You certainly don't want to overwhelm your child with information, but it's probably best to share some of your family's financial situation. Take a reassuring approach by pointing out any areas you know are stable, such as staying in the same school despite any other changes.
Economize in a way that's clear and fair. If you need to scale back on your children's after-school activities, letting them pick from a few options may decrease their disappointment. You might also consider less-expensive options at local community centers and libraries too. And don't forget to show kids that you're cutting back on some of your own “extras” as well.
Keep predictability high. Kids like routine. Make sure your child's includes exercise to burn off energy, soothing nighttime activities and, above all, some special time with you. Children crave attention, and if they're not getting it in positive ways they may get it by acting out.
Let kids contribute. Even little kids can help around the house to ease your load. They also can donate old clothes or toys to a local shelter. Helping out builds self-esteem and a child's sense of effectiveness in the world.
Take a breather. Let's face it: Raising kids can be a ton of work. If you feel that your stress is affecting your ability to be kind and gentle, go off somewhere to regain your composure. Don't let your kids feel it's their fault you're having a bad moment.
Set aside “me” time. You're probably working hard at work and then working hard at home. If you don't refuel somehow, you're going to run out of steam. Get enough rest, squeeze in a little fun, and maybe take just 10 minutes to connect with friends.
Get professional help if you need it. If you're having trouble parenting–or dealing with any of your other day-to-day responsibilities–a mental health professional can help you learn new coping skills. Some sources for finding therapists include your primary care doctor, clergy member or Mental Health America of San Diego County. If your child is showing signs of stress like trouble sleeping, headaches, or acting sullen or angry, you also can talk with a school psychologist or guidance counselor.
For more information or referrals to local services, visit our online Frequently Asked Questions section at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/faqs, contact Mental Health America of San Diego County.
If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call San Diego's Access and Crisis Line at 800-479-3339 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
Mental Health America of San Diego County was founded in 1942 and is the leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. Learn more by visiting www.mhasd.org.
Education/Parent Involvement Director: Heather Bush
California State Website helps parents and
educators understand
State Testing Program.
Website features dozens of actual test questions that students have faced at
every grade level.
California State PTA leaders testify before the State Board of Education on the Open Enrollment and Parent Empowerment Act
Sacramento - California State PTA Vice President for Education Suzan Solomon, Education Advocate Patty Scripter, and Education Commissioner Sophia Waugh testified before the State Board of Education (SBE) July 15 as the board considered proposed emergency regulations for the Open Enrollment and Parent Empowerment Act.
The Open Enrollment and Parent Empowerment Act directs the SBE to create a list of 1,000 low-achieving schools in more than 500 school districts and county offices of education. To see the list, click here.
Scripter said PTA shares the board's concern that "achievement has not improved enough to reduce the achievement gap and provide students with the education and life opportunities necessary to secure a future for them." However, she challenged the SBE's proposed finding of an emergency: "We are very concerned about the workability of the findings, the alarmist nature of the findings, without giving parents time to understand what it means, what their options are, and to find an alternative for their children."
The Open Enrollment Act will permit the transfer and registration of students from these identified schools to any public school in the state. The SBE emergency declaration advances the timeline for student transfers from the listed schools from January 2011 for enrollment in the following year to immediate enrollment as early as November 1, 2010.
Testimony on behalf of the California State PTA included these points:
PTA knows that the most effective parent-engagement strategies are those that are thoughtfully implemented, and that focus on building the knowledge and capacity of parents to be true partners in the education of all students.
It is important to enact regulations that will be workable for families and schools and that will enable students to be successful. The process must be transparent and must include parents.
Parents and communities need to see a list of Open Enrollment schools that accurately reflects academic performance. PTA believes parents in schools with API scores at or near 800 will be needlessly alarmed by a letter of notice stating that their children are at risk of "serious harm to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare." In fact, six school on the list have achieved Academic Performance Index scores above 800.
Parents whose children attend schools that are identified need more than a letter of notification with a short timeline for action. Parents need the time to receive and process information about the choices available, and school districts need time to provide accurate and accessible information to parents, in languages spoken in the home.
The stated purpose of the legislation is to offer opportunities for students. But the proposed notification timetable will be very difficult to achieve.
Parent Empowerment
PTA has been supporting and empowering parents for more than 100 years. Research shows parents are critical to help all students succeed and to turn around our lowest performing schools. PTA believes California needs a system where parent involvement is supported and integrated in every endeavor of our schools, not just in emergency regulations. Parents must be provided with tools to help them fully understand what choices are available, and what the impact of any proposed changes will mean for students, families and communities.
The California State PTA believes that parent engagement must be long-term and meaningful, not just a one-time event such as a petition. We understand the critical importance of making meaningful changes at the identified schools that result in dramatic and sustained improvements in student achievement. For these changes to occur, the process of selecting and implementing a turnaround strategy must be thoughtful and transparent and must include parents as full partners.
The California State PTA questions the finding that the Parent Empowerment provision meets the criteria required for emergency regulations: "that the emergency regulations adopted are necessary to avoid serious harm to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare, especially for public school pupils attending Open Enrollment schools." We share the concern stated in the findings that "achievement has not improved enough to reduce the achievement gap and provide students with the education and life opportunities necessary to secure a future for them," however, we question whether the proposed regulations on Parent Empowerment will offer the intended guidance to parents or will create more problems due to lack of clarity.
