Family Matters

This question usually comes up after parents are informed by their child’s teacher that the child is not keeping up with their schoolwork. However, although the indication given is academic, the problem is most often emotional.

Choosing a day care centre for our kids requires self-testing. No doubt, the right choice can determine our kids’ happiness and can, in time, save us a great deal of energy and heartache when we shift them from one place to another.

Single-sex schools originated during the 18th century, when rich families sent their sons to “special” schools. Only later, in the 19th century, when the awareness of the value of education increased, were girls also sent to study. Single-sex schools were very popular in England and now also in Australia.

Today, the single-sex schools are popular among religious populations and even more during high school.

Kids’ eating habits are very important for parents and it is very frustrating to prepare food and find out your kids do not like it.

If you look at this issue from an emotional point of view, it has to do with control. Your kids are exercising control over what and when they eat, while you try to keep that control. Once you look at it this way, though, the solution is simple.

I am 36, my younger brother is getting married and the whole family nags me about getting married. I’m so stressed about that wedding. I hate weddings. Everyone has something to say about me not being married. Any tips?

“I am invited to my ex-boyfriend’s wedding and I have to go. Do you have good tips to handle the situation?”

If you no longer have feelings for him - cool! Go have fun at his wedding. But I guess since you have asked the question, you do have feelings for him…

Here is a question I was asked by a writer from a famous women’s magazine, who wanted my opinion as a life coach.

My girl friend is getting married soon and I feel a bit left out. I feel she is moving on without me. What is the best way to ensure our friendship stays the same, now that we are on different life paths?

Find the answers to all the good questions I was asked about my first teen book “Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers”.

“Ronit, what do I do? My son is 7, he already reads Harry Potter and he hates going to school because it is boring. Should I ask the teacher to give him extra activities? Should I buy him extra things to do at school or at home? Who is responsible for making sure he is not bored? If I go to school and talk to the teacher, she will say I’m pushy and take it out on him. What should I do?”

When I was at school, I remember always sitting at the back of the class and being one of the worst students. Only later on in life, during my Special Education studies, I learned about how kids are treated based on where they sit in the classroom.

Did you know that some seats are better than others and determine the teachers’ attitude towards the kids sitting in them? Well, I didn’t know this either and by the time I did, it was a bit too late for me to save myself all those frustrations at school.

But what I realised was that teaching the teachers about their varying attitudes based on sitting positions was missing the mark. Who do you think really needs to know this?

If you have answered “The kids”, you are right! But kids, of course, do not read blogs, so I would like to encourage you, the parent, to pass the information below to your kids and, by doing so, to allow them to take responsibility for their own learning and future success.