A Dialogue of Dedicated Parents

Left to right: Hilarie Klapman, Maria Russell, Lyndsay Green, Joy Brickell

If we can measure successful parenting by the amount of thought put into raising teens, then the young people of Central Technical School are in good hands. A few weeks ago, two dozen parents joined me, the Principal and the TDSB Superintendent of Schools to bat around ideas raised by Teens Gone Wired. Here are a few comments pulled from several hours of animated discussion that will give you a flavour of the depth and range of the dialogue.

  • What I like about the book is that I can see I’m not on my own – other people have these same issues.

  • I found the whole approach of the book very calming with its emphasis on issues and values.

  • My house rule is that everyone must turn off their cell phone and put it on the counter if they are sitting down at the table. This goes for my teenage son and his friends, as well as my husband and any other guests.

  • By texting my son, I was able to reconnect with the child I remembered. He was so impressed that “this cavewoman” could text, that he opened up to me again.

  • When I ask my kids to tutor me on the computer, I request that I get on the keyboard rather than just watching them do it. That way I make sure I really understand.

  • I played the game of Halo with my son because I wanted to see what it was all about.

  • Your kids need to know that one-way texting is not a conversation. Things are not confirmed unless I text back.

  • I like the focus on strategies in the book because the specific technologies and their uses are changing every 6 months.

  • What the book is doing in our family is helping open the conversation.Karen Falconer

The Discussion Guide for Parents is now posted here. Thank you to the School Council (PTA) of Central Technical School for their collaboration, with special thanks to the two dozen Book Club participants and the CTS School Council Executive: Hilarie Klapman - Chair, Maria Russell - Secretary, Joy Brickell - CTS School Council Past-Chair and organizer of the book talk, Fatima Ferreira -Treasurer, as well as Sheryl Freeman - CTS Principal and Karen Falconer - TDSB Superintendent of Schools.If we can measure successful parenting by the amount of thought put into raising teens, then the young people of Central Technical School are in good hands. A few weeks ago, two dozen parents joined me, the Principal and the TDSB Superintendent of Schools to bat around ideas raised by Teens Gone Wired. Here are a few comments pulled from several hours of animated discussion that will give you a flavour of the depth and range of the dialogue.

  • What I like about the book is that I can see I’m not on my own – other people have these same issues.

  • I found the whole approach of the book very calming with its emphasis on issues and values.

  • My house rule is that everyone must turn off their cell phone and put it on the counter if they are sitting down at the table. This goes for my teenage son and his friends, as well as my husband and any other guests.

  • By texting my son, I was able to reconnect with the child I remembered. He was so impressed that “this cavewoman” could text, that he opened up to me again.

  • When I ask my kids to tutor me on the computer, I request that I get on the keyboard rather than just watching them do it. That way I make sure I really understand.

  • I played the game of Halo with my son because I wanted to see what it was all about.

  • Your kids need to know that one-way texting is not a conversation. Things are not confirmed unless I text back.

  • I like the focus on strategies in the book because the specific technologies and their uses are changing every 6 months.

  • What the book is doing in our family is helping open the conversation.Karen Falconer

The Discussion Guide for Parents is now posted here. Thank you to the School Council (PTA) of Central Technical School for their collaboration, with special thanks to the two dozen Book Club participants and the CTS School Council Executive: Hilarie Klapman - Chair, Maria Russell - Secretary, Joy Brickell - CTS School Council Past-Chair and organizer of the book talk, Fatima Ferreira -Treasurer, as well as Sheryl Freeman - CTS Principal and Karen Falconer - TDSB Superintendent of Schools.

Previous
Previous

60 Plus and Going Strong

Next
Next

Parents and Teachers Working Together for Teens