I especially liked this quote: “A natural part of growing up is knowing the world has justice and injustice and there are things we care about and things we can change and things we need to change.”

I’ve wondered how much and how to share events with my own children. When the earthquake struck in Haiti, I kept up with the situation with news on the Internet. We don’t watch much televesion, and don’t regularly watch the evening news. Still, all the children knew what was happening and the youngest, age 5, talked about it often. You could see his thought processes . . . he asked, “why didn’t they use better building materials?” and when told that the people didn’t have enough money, he asked, “why didn’t they go to the bank?” More than anything, his comment made me realized just how privileged and how different his world is. For months he asked about Haiti, at least once or twice a week. We’ve donated money to local relief efforts (my personal doctor makes regular mission trips to Haiti) and he asks for coins to feed his “fish” — a collection box from church for Haiti relief. It feels like so little, but this article helps explain the larger context. I think he definitely is able to understand the concept of empathy. It’s something we’ll continue to work on cultivating in our family.

I know that I myself don’t like change. I have to keep reminding myself that change is a part of life. Things do change and yes, life is different for my children than it was for me. It can be hard to separate out these ideas (what do they need versus what do I think they need or what do I want for them?) . . . I think most parents want more for their children than they had . . . more opportunities, better quality schools . . . happiness. But what is really best for them?

Some things are essential I think. Play. “Play is the work of children.” according to Fred Rogers. Play is how they learn. Do we have time for play? How about daydreaming? An article from last year talks about how children aren’t actually goofing off when they are daydreaming: Daydream Achiever. Though schools and parents often want children to focus, the mind is often pursuing higher level, abstract thinking when daydreaming.

Another essential: nature. I’m a fan of Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods, which emphasizes the need to spend time outside and exploring nature. The outdoors are one of the very best places to experience and share a sense of wonder. An article in our local paper about the possibility of our county park system closing next year was very disheartening.  We have participated in summer camps offered by the park district, the Dinosaur Dig around Easter, nature storytimes at the Kraner Nature Center, and other family activities. They are a great resource right in our own backyard, and I hope more people will take the time to explore them this year and hopefully vote for the minimal levy to keep them operating.

(At left is a picture of a volunteer helping my son learn to fish at Infirmary Mound Park; below are the two older boys climbing a rock wall at Infirmary Mound Park, May 2009, during Outdoor Adventures, two days of great family activities).

I don’t really have an answer for the whole time problem — scheduled activities vs. unscheduled “down” time. Both are important; it’s not really an either/or question, but rather a matter of balance and perspective. One very enjoyable and thought provoking article that is a little related to all of this is Michael Chabon’s “Manhood for Amateurs: The Wilderness of Childhood” published in the New York Review of Books, July 16, 2009. We also have a little two acre remnant of woods in our backyard that we love and our boys love to explore, build forts in, make paths through, and yes, in the snow of winter, the woods are soooo quiet. Children do need to be allowed some freedom to explore, to have adventures. Yet some children do truly thrive on a busy schedule. They have many interests and feel happiest when their minds or bodies are actively engaged in a meaningful activity. This point of view is explored in a Wall Street Journal article, The Myth of the Overscheduled Child.

So what’s the answer? I think it depends on you and your child/children. You as a parent know them best. But don’t beat yourself up about always trying to do the right thing. If they like being busy, let them be (unless you notice signs of them being too tired/cranky/etc.) You can always reevaluate and reassess. Although I forgot sometimes, I try to remember to enjoy what we are doing right now. Not worry about how everything is going to get done, but enjoy the moment. Soon it will be soccer season again . . .

Here is the description: Stays for A’s

The Ohio State Park Resorts & Conference Centers congratulate students and families for all their hard work during the school year. For every “A” that a student receives on his or her report card, the Ohio State Park Resorts and Conference Centers will discount $10 off our published room rate.

Congratulations for your hard work.

Offer subject to availability. Only one report card per room may be applied for discount. Must present a current, valid, original report card upon check-in. Valid for up to a $50.00 per night discount. Minimum stay restrictions may apply. Consideration will be given for report cards not using letter grades.

August 10, 2009 – June 3, 2010

Use Promo Code: STAY4A online or call 1.800.AT.A.PARK to make your reservation today. Blackout dates apply and include January 15, 16, 17, February 12, 13, 14, April 2, 3, 4, May 28, 29, 30, 2010.

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The week after Christmas our family took a short getaway to the lodge at Mohican State Park. Like most of the lodges, it overlooks a lake, and the huge windows afford many a beautiful view. Fireplaces were blazing, rocking chairs set close by, along with a volunteer lending library shelf, and game tables, which were fully occupied in the after-dinner hours. I had fun watching to see what games people brought (Scrabble Slam, Apples to Apples, Quirkle). I loved the community/gathering place feel of the large open lodge area. My boys all enjoyed splashing in the indoor pool, trying out the sauna, and taking *short* hikes in the snow (usually in pursuit of a geocache.)

The parks are a great place to cultivate wonder — the wonder of nature, in any season.

A brief excerpt: One of the key ideas in avoiding an adversarial relationship with a teacher is to recognize whether the issues you have are with the teacher, the school, or the system itself. Direct your proactive problem-solving skills toward the correct person or entity. Do this by asking questions without a passive-aggressive agenda. You may find that the person you have been complaining about is your biggest ally.

Gemert goes on to talk about how to phrase questions, different educational terminology, and a brief overview of possible options. Helpful information before those first parent-teacher conferences!

PACE meets the 3rd Thursday of the month, usually in the Community Room of the Granville Public Library, but check the website: www.gravillepace.org for updates. And mark your calendars for Thursday, October 15!

How about a side of French? For younger students (Grades 2-6) the World Language program is back! Here is the announcement: World Language and Enrichment will be offering “French with Madame McGonagle” Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the GES art room. This class is open to all students in grades 2-6. The start date is Tuesday, September 29 at 7:50am. The students will be dismissed at 8:20am to allow time for the GIS students to catch the bus to their building. The cost is $100 for a ten week session. Sign up now as space is limited. To register please email student’s name and phone number to mpbrogan@windstream.net

Join the Granville Parents for Academic Challenge and Enrichment (PACE) group to hear a panel discussion on Inspiring Academic Excellence in our Community at 7:00 PM on Thursday September 17th in the Granville Library Community Room. PACE is pleased to host this panel discussion including State Representative Jay Hottinger, Superintendant Scot Prebles and representatives of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children and our local district to talk about the current status and vision for continued academic excellence. Granville PACE is a new community organization dedicated to supporting advanced learning opportunities by providing resources to parents and teachers to build the culture of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity in Granville. For more information please contact:info@GranvillePACE.org