Parents, Will Your Teen Have A Summer Job?
My oldest son received a letter from the city parks department. He had worked for the agency last summer as a “temp,” and had hopes of returning again in May. He has some college costs to pay for! Unfortunately, the city budget has been in decline, and he was notified that there will be no hiring of summer temps this year. So, on to “Plan B!” He will find something, I think.
Unemployment is rising, and it is apparently affecting the summer job market significantly. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the bleak outlook for teens seeking summer work.
How about your teen? Will he or she be working this summer?
Loading ...Facebook Relents
Responding to an outburst of protests to its newly announced privacy guidelines, Facebook has had a sudden change of heart. The company announced revisions that would seem to give users more protection of their content. Here’s one helpful summary of the new (“improved!”) privacy policy.
Thanks, by the way, to the many folks who participated in the poll about this in my previous post.
Facebook Privacy Concerns
There’s no doubt that Facebook is an extremely popular social networking tool, and I’ve watched with interest as numerous business acquaintances and co-workers have flocked to the site to connect with others. It also has, of course, a significant user population in the high school and college worlds.
It is a somewhat complicated matter, but Facebook issued some new “privacy policies,” and some members are complaining that the details indicate Facebook can store user data, posts and even pictures – even after an account has been deleted.
Here’s one summary of the matter.
Despite its huge success, the company seems to have crossed a threshold with the new policy. Already, tens of thousands have joined a Facebook group protesting the terms of the user agreement. How about you? Does this news worry you? Do you care?
Loading ...Never Give Up!
If you find yourself wondering if you can possibly break through the barriers, or let go of the past and press on to the new, read this wonderful account of an orphan who never gave up. Inspiring!
Children and Chores
Prompted to ask you about something I saw in the Wall Street Journal about the amount of chores parents have their kids doing these days.
Children are spending a mere 24 minutes a day doing cleaning, laundry and other housework — a 12% decline since 1997 and a 25% drop from 1981 levels…
Now I am wondering if we have the five children still living at home doing enough. There’s always room to improve, and perhaps it is time to have them contributing just a bit more to the household work load.
As a parent, how much work are your children doing around the home?
Loading ...Valentine’s Day Survey
Our home has some festive decorations to observe Valentine’s Day, and we’ll enjoy some heart-shaped chocolate this weekend.
To be honest, my wife and I have yet to make firm plans for tomorrow.While we like to have romantic dinners, without reservations we’ll not be able to get into the quieter dining establishments. So, we’ll probably celebrate Saturday evening as a family (is there anything wrong with that?). Just the seven of us, gathered around the candle-lit table…ahhh.
How about you? How will you and your sweetheart be doing Saturday night?
Loading ...Unintended Consequences
Interesting post at the Wall Street Journal about “designer babies.” In addition to a brief overview of scientific “innovation,” there are some ethical issues raised. And the comments thus far seem to reflect an uneasiness many have with unintended questions and consequences of common approaches to infertility.
What do you think? Is this a gray area of life needing better definition and boundaries? Should clinics be allowed to offer clients “designer babies?”
Don’t Let Your Child Skip School
Parents, are you responsible for your child’s education? What if your child regularly skips school – what should be done? How about some punishment…for you?
A tough judge in Texas thinks kids belong in school, and that parents aren’t engaged enough to make sure their kids are getting the education they need. Read more here.
Your Child’s Video Game “Health”
Here’s an informative and helpful series of articles addressing the increasing use of video games by our children – and what parents need to know.
The Pain of Illiteracy
While he had a bachelor’s degree in education and also in business administration, he couldn’t read. In fact, he was a professional educator! Functionally, John Corcoran was illiterate for almost 50 years. His is an incredible story.
Here’s a sample of the feedback we received about this program, which aired last week. I was really touched!
- This is not so much a question as a BIG Thank you for your broadcast today. I thought I was long over the pain of not being able to read, but today it all came back to me, but so clear that I was able to understand why I did so many things to cover up the fact I could not read.
- Mr. S called after hearing today’s program on the “Pain of Illiteracy”. He has struggled with this all his life. He is now 50 years old. He talked and shared some struggles he has had all his life…including a crisis of faith his is currently encountering. (Note: Our telephone team member prayed with the caller and then arranged a counselor call-back).
- Mrs. P called, concerned for her college-aged grandson who struggles in the area of reading. She thinks he may have given up on education because of embarrassment and humiliation along the way.
- Chip is 63 years old and can’t read. He wanted contact information for John Corcoran.
Hear this incredible story. And share it with a friend who needs to know.
On Twitter
- Not another boring Monday. 14 hrs ago
- Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 21 hrs ago
- The funny ad: http://t.co/svC9wMEb 1 day ago
- Best commercial yet: 1st Bank (was that a regional ad?). 1 day ago
- Gorgeous game fare! http://t.co/vdDRPX9x 1 day ago
- More updates...
Posting tweet...
Buy John’s New Book, “First Time Dad”
Off the Air- The e-Book Revolution, Coming To Your School Soon January 25, 2012
- Did You See It? January 19, 2012
- Time Changes Things January 10, 2012
- Top Five Books – I Didn’t Read – For 2011 December 28, 2011
- Radio Is Reaching Our Military December 16, 2011
