school grades

I am sitting here wondering if my daughter has passed her math for the semester. I tried calling her math teacher and have attempted 2 emails with no luck at all. I thought that most teachers get back to the parents rather quickly, but I guess not in this case. Our school system has something called k-12 planet which is actually a wonderful program to see their grades and what's going on daily in classes. My daughter is only 1 point away from getting an F. Actually, this is her only bad class. She excels in everything else. Math just isn't her subject. I emailed the teacher last week, no, maybe it's been 2 weeks to see what she could do to maybe make up a point or two, which happened and now is sitting at a "D" but progress reports did not come out Friday like the notes all said and I am due to call the school here shortly to find out her grade, to see if she is able to go on a school field trip. I think that's great that they are awarded special events trips when they do well. Wonder if it's that way around everywhere?

Listening to your elders

My daughter went to the park the other evening for a birthday party. Very close to the house, actually several blocks away. Alot of girls were to be there and on Friday night's there's always an old car show, which we also go to. We dropped her and my granddaughter off and I told them "DO NOT LEAVE THE PARK". We were supposed to pick them up at 9 pm but I wasn't comfortable about that so we ended up going at 8pm, which the party was actually over and the girls were all walking around but it was not near our house. We looked at the cars, then over to get the girls, and my darling daughter was good and was still in the park, however, my granddaughter was walking away from the park and was about 2 blocks down. She was with another girl and they were trying to get the attention of another girl that they didn't know because the other girl was trying to start some trouble by saying ugly things. Well, we called for her and she saw us and came back. She was in lots of trouble because we told her not to leave the park. My point here is this: Not only do I expect my daughter and granddaughter to mind what I say, but there's a reason for it as well. In this day and age, there are many bad things happening out there. Especially in the dark. There are kids being picked up all over the place and it's just not safe to venture out like that. In the park, there were the adults from the party, plus it's all lit up. Walking down the streets were no lights and it's just not safe. I want to be obeyed, not only because I am the parent, but because there's a reason behind what I say. Listening to your elders is what's best in today's world and sometimes teens think that they don't need to listen because they are brave at this age and trying to learn how to be upcoming adults, but they really need our guidance during this time of growing.

yummy, smoothies anyone can make!!

Coming home after school, oh that hunger pain starts. Seems like dinner is not done yet and you really don't want to eat alot and be stuffed before dinner time. What about a smoothie? No, you don't have to go out for one....just make it yourself. It's easy. All you need is a blender, some milk, ice chips, banana or other fruit. Add a cup of milk to the blender, maybe a cup of ice chips, a whole banana and a little bit of sugar, but we always use spenda or some equal.. you don't need much. Blend all this together. Now, you can add a little something special to this by adding just a dash or two of cinnamon spice. Or, perhaps adding several strawberries to this would make it a strawberry-banana smoothie. Try this out for a quick and nutritious snack..

Saving your money

I know, I know, silly posting, right? Well, it's not an impossible thing to do. Teens love clothing and shoes and going to the mall and jewelry amongst many other things. Oh, and let's not forget purses !!! However, saving a little bit of money is something that you should strive for. I have kept a savings account for my teen and told her whenever she got a certain amount saved, for instance, $50, or $100 that I would match that, just to give her the incentive for saving. Well, I have noticed how savings accounts are ok, but not giving the best interest out there in today's world. I have checked into a CD, through our bank, which allows us to start one as low as $500. It gives a little over 5% instead of the 1% you get through a normal savings. Since we started saving at a late date, we are almost up to that amount that we can start a CD. Check into your bank and see what they offer. It could be challenging enough to get that savings off to a kick start....never know when they are gonna need it with impending college coming up !!!!

Helping Others

This morning as I got out of bed, fixed breakfast and let my loving teen sleep in a little, she got into her room, stripped the bedding off and went to put them into the washer. She came to me and asked "do you need your sheets washed?" This is normally the day that I do this. I told her that I could use some help. Oh it was so nice to let someone else do that for me just once. Now, I know that alot of people hire housekeepers to help with the extras, because this is what I do for a living and have done so for about 20 years now. But having my teen offer to help me was a treat in my day. She proceeded to go to her room and clean it up, vaccuming as she normally does on the weekend. But today she has not only helped me with the sheets but she vaccumed the living room as well. Oh I am starting to feel like a "queen for the day". Helping out others is a wonderful thing to give someone every now and then. It doesn't have to be your mother.....it can be any elder, a person in the family, a teacher, a friend. Everyone needs and likes to have something nice done for them every once in awhile, and you will find that someone will turn around and do something nice for you as well. It's not always the person you help that helps you back but someone different. It seems that what comes around goes around and around away back around just as in the Justin Timberlake song sings. Have a great day !!

Eating a Good Breakfast

All week my daughter has been having the TAKKS test at school and yippee!--today is Friday. I have always made an earlier bedtime for school nights which I honestly believe benefits her to be able to do better in school and not being so tired when she wakes in the morning. I also am a firm believer in having breakfast before going out the door. Most of the time, it's a bowl of cereal, and some juice, but her all-time favorite is french toast. So, what is so good about having breakfast? Good question. I think that it makes her brain more alert for being able to start studying once she gets into class, not to mention no stomach growling until lunch time. Here is a link at: www.kidshealth.org about the breakfast topic. I tried to add the link here and have been unsuccessful.

Oh the joys of Summer School

I worked hard yesterday, and I had to go out and buy my hubby a birthday present before I came home so I was really tired. We went to see a horse trainer teach a lesson so my daughter could see how she taught. That all went well, and when we came home, the mail had just come in. During that time, I was glued to American Idol on tv and started reading some mail that came in from the school for us for my daughter. SUMMER SCHOOL?? oh no !!!!! I knew that her math skills were weak. She excels in most of her classes. She only struggles through math. I had been taking her to morning tutorial classes and STILL she is having a hard time. The letter said that she was in danger of failing math for the year and would possibly have to take summer school... listen, I want the best for my daughter, but summer school where I am living at is NOT free. And of course, there is no choice. It has to be done. I love my child and want her to do her best, so of course, that will be what we are going to be doing for part of the summer. She will be going to high school next year. I told her that high school is much harder than intermediate and they are trying to prepare students for college. So, she will be in summer school this summer as well as doing some volunteering at the horse rescue center. She is going to have a busy summer indeed.

Summer's coming soon

With summer fastly approaching, I am sitting here with the thought of how I love summer and not having to deal with school buses, school zones, lunches, homework and before school tutorials. But then you ask "how will we fill our summer days?" Most people I know have to still go to work, whether their teens are home for the summer or not. What can they do to keep their teen busy for the summer? Oh, I don't even want to think about my dear daughter sleeping her whole day away and staying up all hours of the night. What's a mother to do? Well, I am very fortunate to only be working part time, so I will be able to have some time at home with her, but what about all those days at home and her telling me "I'M BORED !!!!". Oh how I don't like to hear those words. Now's the time to start trying to plan out what they can be doing to stay busy. If your'e the kind of parent that doesn't mind them sleeping all day, that is ok. But if your'e not, why not look into some volunteer work for them, if they are old enough. My daughter is very much into horse and riding so this summer, she will be volunteering at the stables where she trains. She will also spend some time at the horse rescue to help with the feeding and cleaning of stalls....OOOH you are probably thinking about all the work this can be, but actually she has done this before and really enjoys it. There are all kinds of volunteering that can be done. The YMCA, hospitals, churches and other various locations are some that may need an extra hand. Perhaps this is something they might like to kind of take the bordem out of their day.

Keep your hands off things that don't belong to you

I see so many teens at the mall these days. Teens enjoy going and shopping just as much as us adults. Today I decided to go to the movies with my hubby and daughter and we took our granddaughter. We grabbed a small bite to eat and proceeded to the movie. We got out and decided to take a look around. We happened to see a teen being arrested at the jewelry store... not a real jewelry store but one that the teens like to visit most. The lady was going through all the things that she took. There were 2 security guard cops there watching as this went on. The girl was in tears. She had surely gotten caught and now she was going to have to face what was to come next. They handcuffed her in front of everyone, took her down the hall and called her mother. I couldn't help but feel sorry for what her future was going to bring. How could she not notice all the mirrors in that place? How could she do something that would embarass her so? Why did she need to do this when she clearly had money in her back pocket? Those questions are probably something that she didn't even think about. She probably thought she wouldn't get caught. She was clearly a young teen and must not have known that the store is much smarter and more experienced in watching for this. What ever the reason is unknown. My heart went out to her mother, her family and the embarrassment. Young people feel fearless in some things, feeling that nothing can happen to them......oh, but it can and it does. Dear daughter of mine, please keep your eyes open and see that things CAN and DO happen. Always keep your hands to yourself and never be tempted into doing something like this, as this is something that can cost you a whole lot of heartache down the road. As we drove home, we talked about the incident that we saw and my daughter reassured me that she knows never to do this......and I sit right here thanking GOD. Teens often do things without thinking. Talk to your teen daughter about these kinds of things if you haven't already.

Be kind with your words

You might think me silly, or terribly old fashioned, but I am. I will admit it. This hip-hop old granny has a few things to say. This not only goes to my darling teen daughter, but to all my grandchildren as well.
There are some words that are known as BAD words as in cuss words, but the words that I am talking about are different. Words that young people use to describe others can be very hurtful. Don't call anyone "fat" - "chubby"- "ugly"- "stupid"- "dumb"- and other such words to describe others that are demean them, because these words are what I call BAD words too. Now, you might be with one of your friends and call them one of these words in fun or games, but there's nothing funny or cute about these words. Take this to heart. You wouldn't want to be called this. Those words are hurtful. They make people feel bad, and you don't want that.
Please watch what you say and how you say things. Stop that think about things you say. Learn to watch your tongue. As My grandma and my mother before me always told me this old saying: "IF you can't say something nice, then DON"T say ANYTHING at all".

Doing your best

I know that although you might try really hard in school, there are going to be subjects out there that are really challenging. In my day, I was really good in history and math. But today's math is just totally out there, and alot more challenging. I am not good enough to help so I think that we have found a solution. They offer free tutoring at school. Before class or after. This works wonderfully. Several mornings you go for a short while, before class and you are able to work on things that are harder for you in a class much smaller and with more one on one help--- thus, helping you to possibly understand it better. Try it out if you are needing help... sure is great if you cannot or do not want to try that paid tutoring.

Choosing good friends

Things are so different these days. Back when I was a teen, things didn't seem to be quite as complicated. Now days there are gangs, many different kinds of drugs and alot of things going on to get a young person into trouble. Choose your friends wisely. Don't connect up with others that are doing things that you know are not right. Don't choose really close personal friends with someone who goes against your better judgements. You don't have to do anything against your will to make friends. A good friend is someone who respects you for who you are and will not try and change you. A good friend is someone you can count on.

Learning how to sew

Right now is a great time to learn how to sew or learn something that you will be able to use in your future. I learned how to sew when I was a pre-teen and really enjoyed it. There are many great patterns on the market these days for people just starting out and wanting to learn. There are purses, bags, and easy things like shorts or skirts too. Get an adult to teach you the basic steps of operating a sewing machine cutting out patterns, and getting started. It can be a very rewarding experience. And if by chance,machine sewing isn't your thing, you can also learn how to pick up a sewing needle and learn how to do small mending jobs because you never know when you may need to know how. Here is a couple of websites that might come in handy: www.sewing.org
www.sewingprose.com

Enjoy being young

Learn to be patient about growing up too quickly. School is extremely important in your life right now, even though you don't think so. All too soon, you will be out on your own, learning how to work, doing adult things and yes, paying those dreaded bills. Believe me, you pay them and turn right around and there they are right back in the mailbox again for the next month due. Water and electricity are not free. So, appreciate now what you get and be happy. Growing up is wonderful, but don't try and rush things. Right now, you have enough to worry about with all those hormones rushing about so try and have some fun in your youth.