Archive for May 2014

5 ways using Facebook is like parenting

5 ways using Facebook is like parenting
I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. When I was thinking about the ways it has recently changed and the resulting challenges, I realized that it parallels the way my tween has changed, too. Turns out parenting and using Facebook are really very similar. 1. I used to get more information, both from my kid... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 29, 2014 at 9:49 pm • 

13 facts about the Scripps National Spelling Bee

13 facts about the Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee takes place in late May. This year, the finals of the 87th annual National Spelling Bee will be televised on ESPN the evening of May 29th. It has become a source of fascination for many, spawning plays and movies like Akeelah and the Bee. Here some fascinating facts about the... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 28, 2014 at 11:41 am • 

5 ways to celebrate the end of the school year with older kids

5 ways to celebrate the end of the school year with older kids
There are few days as joyous for kids as the last day of the school year. The elementary school celebrations involving parents are fun, but middle schoolers would likely be quite mortified if a parent met the bus holding balloons or brought treats to the classroom. So how are middle school or junior high parents... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 28, 2014 at 9:17 am • 
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Why making the bed matters, according to a former Navy SEAL Commander

Why making the bed matters, according to a former Navy SEAL Commander
I love this time of year in part because I love hearing commencement speeches. They provide wonderful perspective and inspiration. The really, really good ones make me laugh, cry and think, all the things Jim Valvano said you needed for a good, full day. My favorite one this year provided all that and some parenting... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 27, 2014 at 9:52 am • 

8 great quotes about summertime

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States, or what I like to call the start of cultural summer. In contrast, meteorological summer starts June 1. Astronomical summer begins with the Summer Solstice, which occurs on June 21 this year. To tweens, of course, the summer starts the second the bell... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 23, 2014 at 11:23 am • 

5 ideas for improving "Jessie," which the Disney Channel renewed for a fourth season

5 ideas for improving "Jessie," which the Disney Channel renewed for a fourth season
The Disney Channel announced yesterday that it was renewing the show “Jessie” for its fourth season. The show stars 22 year-old Debby Ryan as a young Texas woman working as a nanny for a very wealthy couple in New York City with children adopted from India, Africa and America. The family is a bit of... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 22, 2014 at 11:26 am • 
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9 facts every American should know about Memorial Day

Memorial Day started at Decoration Day, created by General John Alexander Logan , commander in chief of an organization of Union veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic, to honor Union soldiers killed in the Civil War by decorating their graves.
Memorial Day is this Monday. My tween is excited about marching in the local parade with her junior high band. Beyond the concerns that come with sixth graders trying to walking in a straight line while playing instruments, the holiday means cook outs and pool openings and the unofficial kick off of summer. Memorial Day,... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 21, 2014 at 12:14 am • 

3 Ways parents can help kids learn a world language

3 Ways parents can help kids learn a world language
My tween starts her foreign language class at school in the fall. She is taking French, which seems far different than the little Spanish I know and that she’s learned up to this point. I wondered what parents could do to help their kids as they embark upon the adventure that is learning a new... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 20, 2014 at 6:56 am • 

'Mortified Nation' documentary finds humor and truth in sharing the shame of adolescence

'Mortified Nation' documentary finds humor and truth in sharing the shame of adolescence
When talking with a friend about how very intense feelings are as a tween and a teen, she asked if I had seen the movie Mortified Nation. I watched it this weekend and loved it. Mortified Nation is a documentary about a stage show held in many cities across the nation at which people read... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 19, 2014 at 8:56 am • 
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Book review of The Sex EDcyclopedia: An informative book for teen boys and their parents

Book review of The Sex EDcyclopedia: An informative book for teen boys and their parents
Confession: Talking about sex makes me uncomfortable. I know, it’s not very mature, and it’s something I’ve had to get over when it comes to talking about it with my tween daughter. It is also why I welcome resources for discussing it with kids. I’ve heard from many parents of boys that there just aren’t... Read more »
By Shannan Younger,
May 18, 2014 at 10:51 am •