Teaching
Your Children Values
Adrian H. Cline,
Superintendent
·
Surround
your children with caring people. Take
them to church and Sunday school, synagogue, or temple. A spiritual connection gives children a basis
for solid values.
·
Be a good
role model. Children pay more attention
to what we do than what we say. Teach
respect, empathy, and courtesy by example.
·
Teach
children to consider others before themselves.
Emphasize that kindness and selflessness are worthy traits.
·
Discuss
inappropriate behavior. Provide your
child with choices so he or she can avoid it.
·
Monitor
what your child sees and hears; carefully select the television programs and
videos your child watches.
·
Discuss problems
or situations that might be worrying your child. Communicate understanding and willingness to
help.
·
Most
importantly, give your child a loving, caring home environment.
Should
Your Teen Have a Cell Phone?
Many parents now keep in touch with their
children via cell phone. Parents like
the safety and convenience aspects; teenagers enjoy using cell phones for
social purposes.
When you make a decision regarding whether
or not your teen should have a cell phone, consider the following pros and
cons:
PROS
·
Safety. Cell phones are helpful when it comes to
making emergency calls.
·
Socialization. Teenagers enjoy using the cell phone for
social purposes. Having a cell phone for
your teen will free up the house phone.
·
Convenience. Parents can track a child’s movements and get
in touch anytime.
CONS
·
School
rules. While cell phones have proven to be a
lifeline for families, they also have become irritants for school
administrators. In order to conform to
state laws, administrators often confiscate cell phones when they find students
talking in the hallway or in class.
·
Phone
etiquette. There are many situations in which the use of
a cell phone is inappropriate; i.e., movies, church, driving, etc. Your child needs to understand when and where
the use of a cell phone is acceptable.
·
Parental
control. With a regular phone line you can monitor
your teen’s calls and time spent on the phone.
With a cell phone your child can talk endlessly anytime, anywhere, and
to anyone.
·
Expense. The cost can vary depending on usage time and
special fees. Will you set a usage limit
or share the cost with your teen?
Weigh the pros and cons before giving your
teen a cell phone, because once he or she has one,
your life will change. Some
changes will be good, and some may be bad.
You know whether or not your teen is responsible enough to own a cell
phone. Use your best judgment to make
this decision, while taking into consideration your child’s needs and your
family’s budget and lifestyle.
The Office
of Adrian H. Cline, Superintendent of Schools, is open from
You are
invited to visit the district web site at:
www.desotoschools.com.