Another study has been completed and the findings are the same; parental involvement separates advantaged from disadvantaged children. So much so that advantaged children go on to do better in their academic lives.
Duh! It seems real simple enough and yet so many of us are not getting it. Why are parents not able to give their children the necessary time to allow them a heads up in life? Because most parents, like mine, are busy working to put food on the table. They are duped into believing that money raises children; presents, not presence.
In fact, we hardly saw my parents during the week and never had time with them growing up. We raised ourselves, with some help from television. Luckily we never had cable so much damaged was avoided from that front.
I know I am not alone. I use to babysit a small boy who is now facing life in prison. He wasn’t a bad boy. Similar to all children, he needed the guidance of his parents, which he was not able to receive because she was working her life away to buy him “stuff.” He did not know his father and the male figure in his life, his step dad, was exactly that.
My favorite quote states “raise your children the way you wish you had been raised.” Not sure who said it when first, but it should make us all remember what we went through growing up so we can work towards not repeating the same mistakes with our children. So many of us forget what it was like being a child; the good and the bad. We need to analyze our days more and pay attention! I think another great quote is “remember your days as a child, and work from there.” That’s by me, right now.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Going natural
The mom behind www.sciencewithme.com has recently compiled a list of reasons why she respects/likes homeschooling parents. One such reason is because homeschooling parents are not just interested in producing book smart children, but also spend as much time making sure their children eat quality healthy foods; wholistic approach to education.
I am such a mom! Not only do I stress the need for “greens” and fruits at every meal; I now started making sure that my children only use natural/Green products. Luckily, I met another mom who produces natural products. You can learn more about her stuff at www.esheabutter.com.
I am also fortunate to receive my organic greens from Brother Dahveed. He has been farming for over 20 years and interested in teaching children the value of farming and eating their greens. If you are lucky to be in Accra, call him at 0244 214680. Tell him I sent you; maybe you can receive a discount!
So if you are in Accra and do not know where to buy your greens and Green products, contact the above.
I am such a mom! Not only do I stress the need for “greens” and fruits at every meal; I now started making sure that my children only use natural/Green products. Luckily, I met another mom who produces natural products. You can learn more about her stuff at www.esheabutter.com.
I am also fortunate to receive my organic greens from Brother Dahveed. He has been farming for over 20 years and interested in teaching children the value of farming and eating their greens. If you are lucky to be in Accra, call him at 0244 214680. Tell him I sent you; maybe you can receive a discount!
So if you are in Accra and do not know where to buy your greens and Green products, contact the above.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Green up!
I just recently came across an article from an old edition of the Ode magazine (Ode, January/February 2007). The article is entitled, “Raging hormones,” and explored how our children are exposed to estrogen mimicking chemicals causing “precocious puberty.” These chemicals are present in “food, water, personal care products, some plastics and many consumer goods.” These are potential threats to children, causing the majority to reach puberty much earlier than past generations. What’s a parent to do? My answer is GREEN UP!
It’s about time that I started to pay attention to the range of Green products on the market. I cannot afford not to anymore. As a parent, I need to protect my children from the dangers out there. So in response, I threw out all of our bad plastic cups, plates, etc. I am particularly afraid of plastic products purchased on the Ghanaian market. Due to weak borders and a Food and Health Board that is understaffed and not as effective as they could be, I cannot take risks buying such products in Ghana. Inferior Chinese made products are dumped in Ghana quite frequently. From fake drugs to counterfeit cigarettes, the Chinese market finds a way to bypass the authorities. Our children pay for those mistakes with their lives, as the case of Nigerian children given fake drugs led to the death of at least 80. I define “third world” as market for inferior products.
If you are anxious to raise healthy children for a better future, then you have no other choice than to Green up! Here are some suggestions as to what you can do by virtue of being in Ghana or Africa.
• Befriend an organic farmer.
• Eat organic vegetables. Better yet, grow your own. It’s a science project in itself.
• Use the Black soap also as hand washing soap.
• Stop buying plastic toys, cups, etc. In fact, the calabash bowl/cup is looking even more attractive right about now. You can get plates made as well.
• Buy green household products, or make your own….lemon cleans everything.
The article adds:
• To stop eating meat, milk and dairy products containing growth hormones.
• Reduce soy, which mimics estrogen.
• Avoid products that contain PVC, including vinyl shower curtains and toys with packaging that reads “3” also known as PVC.
There are lots that can be done to make our homes even safer for our children. The first step is thinking about what you can do…and then the revolution begins.
It’s about time that I started to pay attention to the range of Green products on the market. I cannot afford not to anymore. As a parent, I need to protect my children from the dangers out there. So in response, I threw out all of our bad plastic cups, plates, etc. I am particularly afraid of plastic products purchased on the Ghanaian market. Due to weak borders and a Food and Health Board that is understaffed and not as effective as they could be, I cannot take risks buying such products in Ghana. Inferior Chinese made products are dumped in Ghana quite frequently. From fake drugs to counterfeit cigarettes, the Chinese market finds a way to bypass the authorities. Our children pay for those mistakes with their lives, as the case of Nigerian children given fake drugs led to the death of at least 80. I define “third world” as market for inferior products.
If you are anxious to raise healthy children for a better future, then you have no other choice than to Green up! Here are some suggestions as to what you can do by virtue of being in Ghana or Africa.
• Befriend an organic farmer.
• Eat organic vegetables. Better yet, grow your own. It’s a science project in itself.
• Use the Black soap also as hand washing soap.
• Stop buying plastic toys, cups, etc. In fact, the calabash bowl/cup is looking even more attractive right about now. You can get plates made as well.
• Buy green household products, or make your own….lemon cleans everything.
The article adds:
• To stop eating meat, milk and dairy products containing growth hormones.
• Reduce soy, which mimics estrogen.
• Avoid products that contain PVC, including vinyl shower curtains and toys with packaging that reads “3” also known as PVC.
There are lots that can be done to make our homes even safer for our children. The first step is thinking about what you can do…and then the revolution begins.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
What I did on maternity leave
This may come as no revelation to many working moms, but I was surprised to find that maternity leave no longer exists. Maybe it is too extreme to say the policy is no longer available, for it is, however, the fact of the matter is many moms are working during their maternity leave. In fact, maternity leave is much better labeled “flex time;” flexible time to work from home. There is no actual leave; unless you don’t want to keep the competitive edge. And here is the list of 10 work-outside-the-home things I did for my career in academia during my maternity leave which ends in 2 weeks.
1. I interviewed for a new position.
2. I was hired for a new position.
3. I held countless meetings via Skype for this new position.
4. I attended “face-to-face” meetings on logistics of new position.
5. I sent emails about news related topics to let my colleagues and boss know that I “still mattered” to the university.
6. I was often the first to respond to emails sent out to faculty.
7. I agreed to be part of an international group co-teaching a new course.
8. I attended a 3-day conference via Skype and Movi with other universities and institutions on international/global collaborative learning.
9. I, along with three other faculty members, meet weekly to discuss, plan and design syllabus for new course.
10. I am supervising one student’s final project.
11. Oh yeah, and in the meantime, I am raising and home schooling three children.
1. I interviewed for a new position.
2. I was hired for a new position.
3. I held countless meetings via Skype for this new position.
4. I attended “face-to-face” meetings on logistics of new position.
5. I sent emails about news related topics to let my colleagues and boss know that I “still mattered” to the university.
6. I was often the first to respond to emails sent out to faculty.
7. I agreed to be part of an international group co-teaching a new course.
8. I attended a 3-day conference via Skype and Movi with other universities and institutions on international/global collaborative learning.
9. I, along with three other faculty members, meet weekly to discuss, plan and design syllabus for new course.
10. I am supervising one student’s final project.
11. Oh yeah, and in the meantime, I am raising and home schooling three children.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Let’s “occupy” education in Ghana
I came across another interesting blog called “Motherlode” while reading the New York Times today. Of course I immediately read a few blogs. “Should we ‘occupy’ education?” caught my attention. I began thinking of all the ways we can “occupy” education in Ghana.
1. Refuse to send your children to any private or public school that is either too expensive and/or not able to help children compete on global level.
2. Let the rest of Ghana know of any school where you child has “graduated” from and yet cannot compete with his counterparts elsewhere.
3. Consider abuses against education as acts against humanity.
4. Trial all abusers as perpetrators of genocide; especially since most of the uneducated will probably become victims to violence and poverty.
5. Sue teachers. Similar to malpractice suites against doctors, the lethal tonic of a teacher takes a long time to uncover and heal.
6. Bring to justice all teachers and headmasters/headmistresses using students as their free labor pool. (Many use students as laborers on their farms as oppose to teaching them in classrooms).
7. Talk to other families in communities. Work to take back education.
8. Ban all school buildings without toilets for girls and boys.
9. Ban all “under tree” schools.
10. Refuse the idea that schools are “centers” of education.
1. Refuse to send your children to any private or public school that is either too expensive and/or not able to help children compete on global level.
2. Let the rest of Ghana know of any school where you child has “graduated” from and yet cannot compete with his counterparts elsewhere.
3. Consider abuses against education as acts against humanity.
4. Trial all abusers as perpetrators of genocide; especially since most of the uneducated will probably become victims to violence and poverty.
5. Sue teachers. Similar to malpractice suites against doctors, the lethal tonic of a teacher takes a long time to uncover and heal.
6. Bring to justice all teachers and headmasters/headmistresses using students as their free labor pool. (Many use students as laborers on their farms as oppose to teaching them in classrooms).
7. Talk to other families in communities. Work to take back education.
8. Ban all school buildings without toilets for girls and boys.
9. Ban all “under tree” schools.
10. Refuse the idea that schools are “centers” of education.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Change has come!
I was recently informed by my former professor of another alternative to traditional education. It is called the Unschooling Movement, similar to homeschooling, centers parents, but they are not married to textbooks, state curriculum and traditional ways of measuring a child’s development.
I am always eager to find alternatives because they are proof that a revolution is underway, and that I am part of it!
In today’s New York Times, I came across an exciting article on Co-op schooling. It’s basically parents, unable to find quality education for their children in the public sector, and unable to afford the private schools, come together to educate their children. Some of the classrooms are operated from people’s living rooms or other rooms in the house.
While some of the quality schools can cost $14,000/year, Co-op schooling cost some parents $1,200/year!
What do these alternative movements reveal? So much! First, the traditional educational system is not working. It is not providing quality education to the majority. Secondly, quality education has become (or has always been) reserve for the elite. Thirdly, parents are paying attention. People world over are demanding more, and instead of waiting, are designing creative alternatives for their children. They realize instead of constantly meeting to talk about how the “system” is failing us; that we should go ahead and do something about it for the sake of our children’s futures. La lutta!
I am always eager to find alternatives because they are proof that a revolution is underway, and that I am part of it!
In today’s New York Times, I came across an exciting article on Co-op schooling. It’s basically parents, unable to find quality education for their children in the public sector, and unable to afford the private schools, come together to educate their children. Some of the classrooms are operated from people’s living rooms or other rooms in the house.
While some of the quality schools can cost $14,000/year, Co-op schooling cost some parents $1,200/year!
What do these alternative movements reveal? So much! First, the traditional educational system is not working. It is not providing quality education to the majority. Secondly, quality education has become (or has always been) reserve for the elite. Thirdly, parents are paying attention. People world over are demanding more, and instead of waiting, are designing creative alternatives for their children. They realize instead of constantly meeting to talk about how the “system” is failing us; that we should go ahead and do something about it for the sake of our children’s futures. La lutta!
Thursday, 1 December 2011
My Sun turns six years old today
I met a fantastic mom who refers to her male child as Sun. How great is that. Our children are the light that warms the world and keep us moving. I’m going to start using that from now on.
I had no idea that I would have ventured into home schooling when my Sun was born. Like many parents, I did not know which educational route I was going to undertake with my children. I knew I wanted the best, but not sure what my role was in obtaining that.
I started home school officially when he was about 2. We started quite simple. I provided him paper and many crayons for him to scribble and scribble some more. We then moved on to numbers, ABCs which he had learned earlier. Thanks to a Brainy Baby DVD, he learned shapes, colors, and many other things. We would watch an episode together and then read. He then started spelling words. My educator husband said that he showed letter word recognition and that this was a good sign, that he not only knew his letters, but recognized them in other words.
From then on, he started reading and writing letters. Hubby, or the education consultant, as I like to call him, began to contextualize what we were doing. I was horrified to find out that most children in Ghana are not taught to read at such an early age. I was also sad to learn that many schools did not have the trained teachers needed to provide the kind of learning needed at this age.
We were so proud of what we were accomplishing. But I need reassurance. I would call hubby at work with any and all questions. I wanted to make sure that I was actually teaching and that our Sun was learning. I called to let him know amazing things like when our Sun began adding and subtracting numbers on his own. I called for small things, wondering if the fact his arm was not on the desk when he wrote meant we needed another desk or that I had completely ruined his writing ability. Hubby is patient and kind. He explained everything as though he was speaking to a group of educators at UNICEF conference.
There was no topic too small for my hubby to research for us. I wanted to make sure that I was teaching him correctly and that I was linking topics that needed to be linked. For example, was it OK for me to teach nouns followed by verbs, or vice-a-versa. Did it even matter? Hubby said no. I continued more assured and confident. Then our Sun became a full fledge genius.
I am so proud of what I was able to provide for my Sun and other children. Hubby and I often analyze our success. We are so proud to have been able to do so much for him. That we have a 6 year old doing multiplication, writing short stories for publication “one day,” and designing trains with tenders made out of our curtain rails is surreal. I had never thought the path we followed would produce a genius.
And yet, all the experts, hubby included, claim that all children have the same capacity. The fact that most children are not at his level is a human rights issue. Teachers, administrators, policy makers, and parents are all guilty of this crime. I am glad we decided to educate him at home. His education will forever remind him of the love and sacrifice his parents made on his behalf.
I once heard that children should provide gifts to their parents on their birthdays. I agree. My Sun has already promise that I can borrow his bicycle anytime. That’s OK for now, but on his 20th birthday, I will have to be a Chinese mom and demand more. I look forward to receiving an all expense paid trip visiting the African continent, preaching the good word about home education.
I had no idea that I would have ventured into home schooling when my Sun was born. Like many parents, I did not know which educational route I was going to undertake with my children. I knew I wanted the best, but not sure what my role was in obtaining that.
I started home school officially when he was about 2. We started quite simple. I provided him paper and many crayons for him to scribble and scribble some more. We then moved on to numbers, ABCs which he had learned earlier. Thanks to a Brainy Baby DVD, he learned shapes, colors, and many other things. We would watch an episode together and then read. He then started spelling words. My educator husband said that he showed letter word recognition and that this was a good sign, that he not only knew his letters, but recognized them in other words.
From then on, he started reading and writing letters. Hubby, or the education consultant, as I like to call him, began to contextualize what we were doing. I was horrified to find out that most children in Ghana are not taught to read at such an early age. I was also sad to learn that many schools did not have the trained teachers needed to provide the kind of learning needed at this age.
We were so proud of what we were accomplishing. But I need reassurance. I would call hubby at work with any and all questions. I wanted to make sure that I was actually teaching and that our Sun was learning. I called to let him know amazing things like when our Sun began adding and subtracting numbers on his own. I called for small things, wondering if the fact his arm was not on the desk when he wrote meant we needed another desk or that I had completely ruined his writing ability. Hubby is patient and kind. He explained everything as though he was speaking to a group of educators at UNICEF conference.
There was no topic too small for my hubby to research for us. I wanted to make sure that I was teaching him correctly and that I was linking topics that needed to be linked. For example, was it OK for me to teach nouns followed by verbs, or vice-a-versa. Did it even matter? Hubby said no. I continued more assured and confident. Then our Sun became a full fledge genius.
I am so proud of what I was able to provide for my Sun and other children. Hubby and I often analyze our success. We are so proud to have been able to do so much for him. That we have a 6 year old doing multiplication, writing short stories for publication “one day,” and designing trains with tenders made out of our curtain rails is surreal. I had never thought the path we followed would produce a genius.
And yet, all the experts, hubby included, claim that all children have the same capacity. The fact that most children are not at his level is a human rights issue. Teachers, administrators, policy makers, and parents are all guilty of this crime. I am glad we decided to educate him at home. His education will forever remind him of the love and sacrifice his parents made on his behalf.
I once heard that children should provide gifts to their parents on their birthdays. I agree. My Sun has already promise that I can borrow his bicycle anytime. That’s OK for now, but on his 20th birthday, I will have to be a Chinese mom and demand more. I look forward to receiving an all expense paid trip visiting the African continent, preaching the good word about home education.
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