*
Warning: Public Education Rant to Parents:
Parents. I am an assistant principal in a middle school (grades 6-8). My number one job is to create and sustain a school environment where both students and teachers feel safe (physically, emotionally, and mentally) to teach, learn, innovate, and socialize. I take my job very seriously, as do my colleagues, and we work very hard to grow in our capacity to do our job on a daily basis.
I can’t begin to describe how much time I spend every day dealing with issues that stem from unsupervised cell phone usage by our students. In situations where I have to search a student’s cell phone I often get sick to my stomach at what I find (highly inappropriate photos, videos, messages, social media usage, etc). The things our students are willing to try and be a part of at such a young age gets worse and worse every year.
*
When I call parents to inform them of what is going on I always ask them how often they search their kids phones. The shock gets even worse when 90% of them say hardly ever or never. And then they get upset at me, accuse me of lying to them about their kids roles in certain situations, or expect me to somehow fix the situation.
Parents. It is your number one job as a parent to get in your kids way at all times. Kids do not deserve privacy. You own their devices, not them. You should be having the hard conversations with them about life, relationships, their bodies, their futures, etc. it is your responsibility to provide social and emotional support, help build coping skills, and monitor their activities. And stop actively working against schools and start working with us. We are not the enemy. We are trying to fulfill the role of both parent and educator in many situations and that is a very delicate and difficult line to walk.
*
Here are 3 tips for “getting in your child’s way”
1. Eat dinner as a family every night and actually talk. No devices allowed. Current research suggests that parents only spend about 8 minutes a day in conversation with their kids. That’s unacceptable.
2. Check their devices EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. You need to learn how to navigate their world. Inform yourself on how to use certain apps. Keep up with what apps are the most downloaded in the App Store. Make your kid show you their content and conversations and explain to you what is going on. Then give them advice. MAKE CONTENT WITH THEM and be part of their online presence.
3. Create opportunities for them to have experiences. Take them to do new things. See new things. Learn new things. This not only strengthens their brain development, emotional development, and builds resiliency in kids but it also strengthens your relationship with them.
*
And finally, do not let them take their phones into their rooms, shut their doors, and disappear for hours. Nothing good ever happens on the internet behind closed doors. It is by far the most dangerous place our students go every day.
Please. Help us with this.
*
Work Credit: Chris Cochran, Vice Principal Of An American Public School, Year 2020
* * *
Check Out Our Latest In Mindful Parenting!
Restoring Proper Neurological Functions Amid The Rise Of Developmental Delays And Neurodevelopmental And Behavioral Issues
The Rule Of The Third – Help Yourself & Others To Progress Instead Of Being Stuck In Perfection
In Scratch, You Can Do Anything! Words Of An 8 Year Old About The Coding Platform Scratch
Gender Identity Or Gender Politics? Is It Possible To Look At The Gender Crisis Of The Social Media Generation With An Objective Lens?
Reclaim Your Productivity By Going On A Digital Diet – A Rotary Club Initiative On Tech Addiction
A Pictorial Depiction Of How 33 Powerful Mindset Shifts Can Help Supercharge Your Value Proposition
Resources For Helping Teens And Adults With Alcohol Addiction And Mental Health Rehab
Is Joy In Your Life Fleeting? Here’s How To Hold It Hostage Is In Your Hands. {Podcast}
Bargains, Breakups And The Rat Race – Life Lessons From An 80 Year Old
Think Like The Protagonist Of Your Own Story. Learn How To Recover From Setbacks.
Find Out All The Signs Of Technology Addiction
Disconnect To Reconnect – Digital Dieting: Candid Conversation with Rachana by Girijaa D
Rental, Food And Mental Health Crisis Resources In Atlanta, Georgia – By Fulton County Schools
How To Make Your Heart Pure – As Explained To 10 Year Olds In Satsang (Spiritual Discourse)
How To Be A Parent Leader For Tweens And Teens For The Digital Future
How To Be A Parent Leader For Children Under The Age Of 10 For The Digital Future
Ask A Business Owner What Courage Is. They Know A Thing Or Two About Being Relentless.
Digital Devastation By Girijaa Deshhpande ~ A Poem On Our Collective Screen Addictions
What Are The Different Kinds Of Technology Addictions?
Online Shopping Addiction Or BSD Is Easy In A World of Instant Shipping. But, Where Do You Draw The Line?
Reviewing The Documentary Screened Out
Can Our Use Of Technology And Devices Become A Source Of Our Digital Addictions? Yes, And Here Are 6 Aspects To Prove It.
Disconnect To Reconnect – Reclaim Your Productivity: Candid Conversation with Rachana by Girijaa D
Students And Lifelong Learners, Here’s How To Learn And Not Forget It In The Long-term
14 Timeless Lessons For Life – Live Well, Do Good And Thrive Spectacularly
Make Your Personal Mind Map Today To Chase What Matters Most To You {Samples Included}
Thoughts On Quantum Computing And The Future Of Technology For Humanity
A Think Sheet For Kids Who Can Do Better Next Time. Free Printable For Kids.
Teaching STEM In Fun Ways To Today’s Students – Tips For Teachers
How Mentors Can Develop Leadership Skills Among the Youth
A Brother’s Hero – A Story Of Love, Suicide, And Redemption {Video}
You’ve Heard About IQ And Even EQ. But, Just How High Is Your KQ – Kindness Quotient?
Parenting Advice For Adult Children On Essential Life Skills To Survive Adulthood
Creating Trust – The Most Powerful Soft Criteria To Predict And Ensure Phenomenal Success
Are You Struggling With Self Confidence? Become Authentic And Stop Being A People Pleaser.
The Stigma And Taboo Around Mental Health And Chile’s President Gabriel Boric’s Own OCD Struggles {Video}
The Story Of The Drowning Man. God Can’t Help Those Who Can’t Help Themselves.
Why Success Isn’t Linear And Are We Really Products Of Our Circumstances? – Live With Rachana | Ep 9
Listen And Subscribe To The Our Future STRONG Podcast. The Complete Catalog Of Where It Is Available.
The Aftermath Of A Funeral. What To Say To Someone Who Has Lost A Loved One. {Podcast}
Bullying And Harassment Prevention Resources | Online Internet Safety 101
The Complete Resource Therapy Guide For Mental, Spiritual, Psychological Wellness
The Desi LGBTQ+ Guide To Safety And Acceptance For South Asians And Indians
What To Make Of Articles That Claim That Video Games Don’t Impact Our Mental Health Negatively {Video}
How To Make Your Dream Of Starting A Non-Profit A Reality
Dr. Devra Davis On The Dangerous Push For More Technology In Schools
PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports – Here Are The Core Principles Of Behavior Modifications For Students.
Improve Your Mental Health With These Getaway Ideas
Questions, just ask!
Text or Call: 678.310.5025 | Email: info@futurestrongacademy.com
Bringing a Group? Email us for a special price!