I received a tsunami of comments about my last post. Most were so grateful for the information, and all were confused, undecided, and in a real pickle. Of course you are! This is one of the most difficult decisions any of us has ever had to make. There is NO one answer to this question. There is no right or wrong. The answer depends upon each child, each family--nuclear and extended , and what is going on in each community. In my continuing effort to feed you information, today I send … [Read more...] about Another Follow UP…New News for Making School Decisions in the Pandemic
Safety
Excellent Info: Follow up to…Deciding on Schooling During A Pandemic
This excellent article is written by Dr. Emily Bruckner to help parents with the decision to send or not to send. I wanted to give an update on the research regarding COVID in children. I should back up briefly and state that I am a physician with a PhD in Epidemiology who became very interested in this topic when a colleague and friend of mine, Jennifer Kasten, MD MSc, wrote a systematic review of COVID epidemiology in children … [Read more...] about Excellent Info: Follow up to…Deciding on Schooling During A Pandemic
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE RIOTS, RACISM, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (in light of George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis.)
Today it feels like our kids’ VIRTUAL SCHOOL is a good thing: Classrooms and school playgrounds are not exposing our young children to the shocking riots that erupted across the country in response to the horrific killing of George Floyd. But our elementary school age children and older will likely hear about it. And we must address what is going on. I certainly don’t have “the answer.” I do know that there are many complicated elements to consider, try to explain, and discuss. Too many … [Read more...] about TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE RIOTS, RACISM, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (in light of George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis.)
Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
I have been reluctant to write a piece about the Coronavirus for two reasons: 1) I don’t want to fuel the sense of worry or even panic that seems to be building, and 2) there are many articles on the same topic circulating in cyberspace. But after I received 5 different emails today asking the question “How do I talk to my kids about the virus?” I changed my mind. Talk of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere. People are wearing face masks which is a new sight to many kids. … [Read more...] about Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
Talking to Your Kids About Homelessness…in the Season of Gratitude
I want to feel upbeat today. Thanksgiving is a blink away, and it’s time to conjure up some gratitude. I do have so much for which I am grateful. And believe me, I am front and center in expressing it to whomever will listen. But today it’s hard to feel that way. My day started with article after article in the LA Times about the crisis of homelessness in my city. Then I went for a walk on this fall day in November, and it is too hot for me to be out exercising, 87 degrees. So, I … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Kids About Homelessness…in the Season of Gratitude
Another Tragedy to Talk About.
I hate to have to write this blog. (And yes, I mean the strength of that word HATE.) Another and another and another mass shooting? I am spinning, filled with horror, disgust, and tremendous despondency. I am desperately searching for answers. A parent reached out yesterday, begging for a script for talking with her now high school age children. The majority of my previous blogs about tragic events (and I have written 23 of them, found under the category SAFETY), are directed at … [Read more...] about Another Tragedy to Talk About.