Dilemmas & solutions

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things pupils did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings
created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world. Every parent should take comfort from his words and every child, learn them by heart!

The CyberSmile Foundation launches its annual Stop Cyberbullying Day on the 21 June 2013 with this message: "Be nice online".

Research shows that reading to a young child is the single most important thing you can do to help your child’s education. Getting boys to read is often a challenge. Father of  three sons, Tim Mungeam, author of Fantastic First-time Father and Chief Executive of Springboard for Children, gives his top tips for getting children to enjoy reading.

As parents we have two major functions to ensure that children have a consistent, safe and secure environment in which they can learn reasonable rules and understand why they are important and to nurture self-discipline or self-control. Anne Coates author of Parenting Without Tears Guide to Loving Discipline outlines some strategies.

 

The question has been raised again whether children should have pocket money or earn money from part-time work. Anne Coates thinks a combination of both is the better solution.

Most children are disrespectful at some time or another. The challenge for parents, writes Anne Coates, author of Parenting Without Tears Guide to Loving Discipline, is to choose your battles and to make sure you lead by example and show your offspring respect.

Following the successful launch of  the first book, Parenting Without Tears Guide to Living With Teenagers, the next in the series will be about discipline in the family. Do you have any points or questions you'd like covered ?

Recent figures have shown that at the end of the academic year 2011/12, 88,000 children left primary school not having reached the required literacy standard for an eleven year old. The reasons for this are numerous and in many cases complex, as Julia Bairstow certainly encountered during her many years of teaching and more recently, whilst attending a launch meeting for the Volunteer Reading Help (VRH) charity and Igennus Healthcare Nutrition.

David Hodgson, Partner, Family Dept, Fisher Meredith LLP discusses what you should do to protect your chidlren if you die early.

Local authorities start sending out their decisions regarding the allocation of school places for September 2012 on 1 March. So what do you do if your child has not been allocated a place in the reception or secondary school of your choice? Associate solicitor Laura Berman gives her advice.

Subtitled How to enjoy mealtimes without worry, this excellent and sensible book, My Child Won't Eat! by Carlos González and published by Pinter & Martin should be on every new parent's bookshelf, writes Anne Coates.

A concerned parent asks Anne Coates, "What do you recommend for an 18 year old who cannot sleep near the exams and it's affecting his concentration?"

Research has shown that authoritative parenting produces the best results for our children. Here Anne Coates gives her top ten tips on how to become an authoritative parent.

From 15 to 19 November schools throughout the UK will be involved in highlighting anti-bullying strategies, an opportune moment for parents to read Lyndhall Horton-James' book: Raising Bullywise Kids published by The Soaring Phoenix.

Whether your child has just started school or is in the sixth form, parents' evenings can be daunting and unsatisfactory. Read Parenting Without Tears' top ten tips to get the most from your school meetings.

The plight of grandparents unable to see their grandchildren has been highlighted by Nick Clegg. Grace Parker-White, Senior Associate, Stevens & Bolton LLP, explains the current situatioon and how it is likely to change.

Lucy Lloyd, from the Family and Parenting Institute, explains how parents can find quality childcare solutions.

The experts at the Playwork division at SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning, has compiled the nine questions every parent should ask before choosing a registered out of school club or play setting.