Counselor Corner

By Sheri Scheier

Being a counselor in a school to over 700 hundred children can be difficult, yet at the same time it is highly rewarding. Raising three children myself and spending time with my three grandchildren have really kept me on my toes. It’s a wonder that I have not fallen off into a deep sleep. As a parent, we learn that our children take a lot of work that is well worth the effort. With today’s technology we have to be doubly on the ball. Recently, I found an article, “Texting and Children,” by Leah Davies, M.Ed.

The article shares tips on what parents can do to balance the use of cell phones and texting and work towards the goal of raising responsible and well-adjusted children.

  1. Model limited use of technology. Sherry Turkle, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wrote, “Children have always competed for their parents’ attention, but this generation has experienced something new. Previously, children had to deal with parents being off with work, friends, or each other. Today, children contend with parents who are physically close, tantalizingly so, yet mentally elsewhere.” 1 If parents want to influence their child’s behavior and future success, they need to take time to listen and give undivided attention.
  2. Be aware of the variety of devices available.
  3. Decide which type of cell phone, if any, is appropriate for the age of your child.
  4. Control usage by purchasing plans with limited minutes for calling and texting, or by monitoring your child’s access.
  5. Consider linking the privilege of phone usage with responsibilities like completing homework, chores, etc.
  6. Discuss the necessity of using caution when texting or sending photos since they are not private and may be shared with people your child does not know.
  7. Instill an awareness that sending hurtful or untrue messages can have serious consequences for both the sender and the child or children who are being discussed.
  8. Take time to express interest in your child’s friends and in the messages he or she sends.
  9. Limit times and places where your child can use electronic devices since maintaining open parent-child communication is essential. Insist that your child refrain from texting during short car trips, during family dinners, when adults are speaking directly to him or her, etc.
  10. Encourage your child’s interest and participation in various activities: athletics, drama, photography, art, crafts, sewing, playing a musical instrument, singing, dancing, reading, volunteering, etc.
  11. Provide quality family interaction time by eating together, taking walks, playing games, etc.
  12. Foster “technology free” times when your child can reflect on his or her life, feelings, friends, and identity.

Leah Davies, Texting and Children,

1Sherry Turkle, Alone Together, Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other (New York: Basic Books, A Member of the Perseus Books Group, 2011), 267.

Technology today is growing in leaps and bounds like our children and can contribute to the extra effort we need to put into raising our children. However, listening, patience, understanding, helping children learn how to problem solve and setting boundaries contribute to helping our children grow into well-rounded, responsible adults.

Counselor’s Corner

By Sheri Scheier

Parenting is not an easy task, just ask me, I raised three. In fact is takes hard work, dedication, patience (With a capital P), time and follow through (especially, when we sometimes feel inconvenienced).

Like any average parent, I was not always the best at raising my kids. In fact, a lot I think I learned right alongside of my children and also through much trial and error. I love the website associated with one of my guidance resources Kellybear. In an article written by Leah Davies, M. Ed. She provides the ABC’s of Parenting.

  1. Accept and value yourself and your child.
  1. Be consistent, honest, fair, and firm as you relate to your child.
  1. Concentrate on what you like about your child and comment on it.
  1. Develop interests of your own.
  1. Encourage your child to discuss ideas and goals, expressing the belief that he or she can do many things well.
  1. Forgive your child's mistakes, which are a natural part of learning.
  1. Gladly share your time, affection, and support.
  1. Help your child feel safe and secure.
  1. Interest your child in work by complimenting his or her efforts.
  1. Joyfully take pleasure in life.
  1. Keep harsh criticisms to yourself; avoid using "should" and "ought."
  1. Let your child experience the results of his or her behavior.
  1. Model by example those qualities you want your child to have.
  1. Negotiate privileges and responsibilities, avoid overindulgence.
  1. Offer some choices, allowing your child to make decisions.
  1. Problem-solve with your child, listening carefully to his or her thoughts and feelings.
  1. Quit blaming, shaming, and threatening.
  1. Respect your child's right to grow at his or her own rate without being pushed or compared to others.
  1. Share household tasks among all family members so that your child makes a contribution and feels a sense of belonging.
  1. Take time to read with your child, thus instilling a love of books and learning.
  1. Use a photo album to record pleasant family memories.
  1. Value honesty, kindness, dependability, truthfulness and caring.
  1. Weather trials together as a family.
  1. eXamine your attitude toward your child.
  1. Yield to professional advice concerning healthy living habits.
  1. Zestfully participate in a variety of family traditions and activities.

Leah Davies, The ABC’s of Parenting, Parent articles,

Counselor’s Corner

By Sheri Scheier

Testing is a given in education and mainly because it is a measure to determine readiness for the next grade. As parents and school staff members, we need to encourage our children to give their best to demonstrate the skills they have learned in their grade level. Often our kids think that assessments, that are not part of our grade books, have little or no value. Not true, assessments are given to help school prepare curriculum to teach our children. It is also used to measure what the student has learned, is making progress in or needs more instruction.

Awhile back, I attended a training for school curriculum and STAAR testing. The presenter threw out some very interesting facts. 1. High school success for Reading is determined by second grade. 2. High school success for math is determined by the end of fifth grade. . Our children are instructed in all areas daily and assessed regularly. The problem though, they do not take the testing environment seriously. Why is state testing important? Quite simply, it is a general measure to determine if our children are ready for the next grade level.

So how can we help our students with understanding the importance of testing?

  1. Acknowledge and discuss the importance of education and the benefits from learning.
  2. Build a strong relationship with your child’s teacher(s).
  3. Share your expectations and goals for your children and their academic performance.
  4. Instill the desire to achieve. Testing is merely a means to monitor growth and progress.

Counselor’s Corner

By Sheri Scheier

“Mom, what’s for dinner?” or “What are you cooking tonight?” are two very common phrases that have been spoken in my home. In fact, I used to wonder how I could fit in a family dinner along with working all day, doing the laundry, feeding the dog, picking up the house, helping or checking over homework and still completing projects I took home for work. “Ugh!” Feel overwhelmed? I do, yet at the same time I realize that family time is important and what better way to spend time than at mealtime. So, why should we remember to take time? Simple, it is well worth the effort. Family mealtimes provide opportunity to develop strong, parent- child relationships, increase a sense of family connectedness and belonging. One of my favorite authors states that mealtime provides

  • A sense of belonging and mutual trust is fostered when adults and children eat together and enjoy each other's company.
  • Family meals provide opportunities for adults to model table manners and nutritious food choices.
  • Eating together encourages adult-child communication skills such as listening patiently to each other and expressing one's opinion in a respectful manner.
  • Mealtimes provide a setting for moral and intellectual discussion where family values are shared.
  • Since children thrive on routines, family meals foster a sese of security and stability.
  • When children help with meals, they learn skills such as shopping, setting the table, preparing food, serving food, and cleaning up.
  • Family meals can foster family traditions and enhance cultural heritages

So realistically, how do we, busy parents, find time? Here are a few tricks/steps that I have used.

  1. Plan ahead, be creative and talk to the family as you plan for mealtime.
  2. Keep the food simple and varied.
  3. Encourage the children to be part of planning and preparation.
  4. Turn off the TV and discuss the positives in your day or the goals and dreams of those in your family.

Good luck and enjoy your mealtimes together.

Counselor’s Corner

By Sheri Scheier

Education today is not just about the core subjects; Reading, Math, Writing, Science and Social Studies, it is also about character education and modeling values to be a responsible citizen. Our students our are encouraged to demonstrate respect to selves, respect to others and respect for property on our school campus, in their home and around the community. So what are values? They are the core beliefs and standards we establish and practice to help us determine between right and wrong. Values provide direction and meaning to life. They also are guidelines used to assist use in making good choices. They should inspire and motivate us too.

Here are some values our students learn about, (through the morning news, from all classrooms and from our wonderful specials staff) discuss and practice at school: Respect, compassion, generosity, helpfulness, forgiveness, truthfulness, self-respect, obedience, patience, cooperation, honesty, teamwork, kindness, etc…

According to L. Davies, here are some ways that you as a parent can instill values in your child:

  1. Read and discuss stories that support your beliefs.
  2. Share and discuss family traditions and values established as you grew up within your family.
  3. Monitor your child's media exposure that can undermine parental influence and the development of moral standards for behavior.
  4. Share your approval and discuss when media portrays praiseworthy behavior or real life events and discuss your displeasure when corrupt behavior is displayed.
  5. Notice and comment on your child’s admirable displays of character. For example, “I like how you sat right down and completed your homework without me asking you to, that shows good responsibility.”
  6. Point out times you demonstrate commendable behaviors, like; “Mam, you gave me too much change.”
  7. Be polite and considerate toward others.
  8. Do what you say you will do.
  9. Share your time, talents and possessions.
  10. Set goals and complete difficult tasks.
  11. Display warmth, support, encouragement, and consistency toward your child.
  12. Set high but reasonable standards for your child's behavior.
  13. Listen respectfully to your child's ideas and feelings.
  14. Answer your child's questions.
  15. Offer your child choices.
  16. Take time to have fun with your child. For example, play games, read, pretend, look at family photos, share dreams, attend events, participate in sports or hobbies, or volunteer for worthy causes.
  17. Agree on family rules and live by them. For example, the television is off during family meals; we are kind to each other; we do not use profanity.
  18. Divide chores and work together on family projects.
  19. Participate in religious activities and/or be faithful to religious or moral beliefs.
  20. Consider how your family spends its time and money by asking yourself, "In my child's eyes, what does my family value most?"
  21. Remember that your child will adopt the values you demonstrate daily.

(Leah Davies, 20 Ways to Foster Values in Children, Parent articles,

Counselor’s Corner

By Sheri Scheier

Summer is almost here and this is the time where we start to think, “What am I going to do with the kids this summer?” Well, if you’re like me, this may not have even crossed your mind yet. Here are some interesting things to do this summer.

Free Bowling:

Reading:

Earn a free book from Barnes and Noble

Free Story On-Line Story Time at Barnes and Noble

Go outside:

Camp in your own backyard

Go play in the sprinklers

Free workshops or classes for Kids

Short Trips for family

Houston Museum of Natural Science: (Free Thursdays: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.)

Children’s Museum of Houston (On Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., the Museum hosts Free Family Nights)

Go to the movies

Houston Parks Summer catalog (Includes free activities and summer meal program information)

Boat Tours

Free Tours, but requires reservations

Sam Houston Boat Tours

  • 7300 Clinton Drive
    Gate 8
    Houston TX 77020
  • Neighborhood:Clear Lake/Bay Area Houston
  • Phone: (713) 670-2416

Cook with your kids