Keep Your Children Safe and Smart (and maintain your sanity) Through the Chicago Teachers Union Strike

Many Chicago parents and children are out of school and temporarily displaced due to the Chicago Teachers Union strike. Just a week after most Chicago Public School students stepped foot inside classrooms, today they are either being cared for at home, by family members, in churches and non profit agencies or at one of the 144 schools open for the "Children's First" contingency program. The CTU and school board are attempting to reach an agreement over terms of the teacher's new contract. Core points of contention are compensation and health care benefits, job security and teacher evaluation processes.

While I support the teachers union, I empathize with parents who are now scrambling to find last minute childcare for their children during normal school hours. Many cannot find reliable, affordable options for their children. The "Children's First" sites will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parents should sign children up ahead of time, as all CPS students are assigned to a designated site in their community that is not necessarily their regular school. According to CPS spokespeople, "This is a safety net for families who have no childcare alternatives. No instruction will occur as the sites will not operate as schools but will provide daily breakfast, lunch, and age appropriate activities." 

Since I've yet to return to full time work, the school closings have not posed a huge inconvenience to my Kindergartner. Today he's simply home with his baby sister and I. My youngest cousin, a 6th grader, has also been left in my care while his parents work. I'm not stressed about having the kids at home, but I do worry about the inconsistency affecting their academic focus and disrupting our routine. For those of us at home with kids during the strike it's important not to let (hopefully just) a few days out of school turn into a free for all. By maintaining a schedule, mixing learning in with fun activities and taking advantage of good weather we can keep the kids safe and smart, while keeping a handle on our sanity. 

1. Stick to assigned wake up and sleep schedules. 

Get the kids in and out of bed at their regular times. This may be a hard sell, but it's the easiest way to support your family once they head back to the schoolhouse.

2. Get outside and get moving

The weather is warm and pleasant. Turn the backyard into a disco. Spend time reading aloud under a shaded tree or take a nature walk to the local park. Set up chalk or paint easels in the backyard. Try to find activities that encourage communication, problem-solving and organization strategies. Have a picnic and let the kids plan and prepare lunch. Outside fun means healthier children and a cleaner house for Mom & Dad. 

3. Limit Television Time

It's easy to let the kids plop in front of the TV to keep them quiet and out your hair, but too much tube time is bad for their growing brains. Try to find shows that teach them math, reading or social skills. Funny, silly or adventurous movies are lots of fun, just lead a family discussion after the showing. Have your big kids write a movie review and your little one draw a picture of their favorite scene. 

4. Document Your Summer Break

Use the downtime to go through pictures you've taken during your summer break. Let your kids help you create a scrapbook or photo album of your fun in the sun. Remember great moments from your family vacation and watch home movies you made. Write a letter or telephone new friends made at summer camp.

5. Fun Free Activities

Find fun and free outings by doing a little research into local activities especially for children. Some of my go-to resource websites are www.chicagokids.com  www.explorechicago.org and www.chicagofree.info

Also, adult residents of the City of Chicago may check out a Museum Passport at all Chicago Public Library locations with their valid Chicago Public Library card. Find out which museums participate in the program and find more information at http://www.chipublib.org

*** You can't truly understand parenting until you have a child. And you certainly can't understand teaching until you've taught in an overcrowded classroom, to (some) unmotivated kids, with limited resources, uninvolved guardians and poor administrative support. It's not easy for anyone involved, but I believe this strike is necessary for the future benefit of us all. As a Chicago Public School Parent and Chicago Teachers Union Counselor and Substitute Teacher I support the strike. #ChicagoTeachersStrike2012 

Oh my goodness, he's really listening!

Rules are rules, whether at home or at school. I say this to my kid time and time again hoping it sinks in and he takes heed. As parents we offer guidance and boundaries; some of it sticks and some doesn't. Best case scenario our voices will echo in their heads and they will think about what we've taught them before they make decisions, no matter how big or small. I'm fortunate to have a pretty well behaved boy, but just how much he respects my wishes was confirmed recently.

Nigel takes his birthdays very seriously. Like most kids he anticipates getting lots of gifts from friends and family. Presents are a big deal, especially when people other than Mommy or Daddy get him something special. Nigel's preschool teachers usually get him a little trinket for his birthday. Imagine my surprise when upon my arrival at school his instructor pulled me aside to say Nigel had graciously given his present back to her after opening it. Apparently as soon as he looked inside of the gift bag and saw a Star Wars Nerf Blaster he returned it. My husband and I don't allow him to play with guns of any kind. How mature of my Nigel to understand our rule and abide by it even when his parents weren't around. I asked him if he understood why we don't want him to play with guns. He told me it's because guns hurt people and they are not for games. Eureka! Integrity is defined by doing the right thing when no one is looking. My big guy is growing up and showing me he can make responsible choices. My pride is hard to mask :-D

Which Field Trip Parent Are You?

As you all know I love to be a super chaperone for my son's preschool field trips. On our last excursion I spent as much time studying other parents as I did the Shedd Aquarium's sea creatures. My careful observations led me to classify my peers into five types of field trip parents.

First Timers
It's been so long I can barely remember my first time, but I'm sure I had the same wide-eyed look on my face as a Mom new to field trip duty. They're easy to spot because they're probably slightly overdressed, or disheveled from an unusually early arrival. These are the folks asking for name tags, shocked by the bumpy bus ride and surprised when the brown bag lunches get passed around. Sorry, you eat the same as the kids - turkey on wheat bread, orange slices and generic potato chips. Hopefully by the end of the day these Moms and Dads have made a friend or two, as well as a fun memory with their children.

Mr. No Nonsense
This parent runs a tight ship. Wiggling, giggling and all goofy behavior is strictly frowned upon. While classmates are exploring and having fun, their kid usually has to stay close. Scowls are issued as warnings and any naughty behavior will be quickly corrected with a furious finger wag. Though these parents are great allies when dealing with an unruly bunch, they might need a reminder to let the kids be kids just once in a while.

Big Kids
Usually a Dad who relives his own childhood on these trips. You can find them roughhousing and getting the kids all riled up on the bus, or singing silly songs en route. When you finally make it to the destination this parent will hit the ground running; he or she will be totally hands on with the exhibits. They knock on the aquarium tanks, dress up in the space station and make animal noises at the zoo. Typically a ton of fun, who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon with this parent? Easy to spot by their comfy attire and the swarm of ecstatic kids clamoring for their attention.

Ms. Information
Going on field trips with this parent is like taking an educational jaunt with Alec Trebek. Above all else and by any means, this Mom or Dad is going to make sure we all learn something! The bus ride becomes a Jeopardy game for five year olds. Every fact based placard at the museum will be read, and there will probably be a pop quiz at lunch. Ms. Information isn't usually as stuffy as she seems, don't fault her for being smart. Encourage this parent to let the teachers lead the lessons, put the map down and have a little fun!

Photojournalist 
This parent is focused on snapping photos of their offspring in their natural habitats. Their fancy camera is always poised and ready to capture the next Kodak moment. A child's max field trip attention span is about 15 seconds, so you only get one chance to get a great shot before Jr. looks away or darts off. Organizing a group picture is more difficult than wrangling a herd of wild horses. This parent and their pursuit of the perfect image is commendable. Make sure you give them your email address so you get that wonderful picture of mini-me feeding a billy goat or uncovering dinosaur bones.

5 Reasons to Chaperone Your Child's Next Field Trip

Nothing beats a field trip. I know we get busy with work, projects and other responsibilities, but actually seeing your child apply what they're learning in school is amazing. Life's most important tests take place outside of the classroom! See if you agree with my 5 reasons to hop on the school bus with your kid and their buddies.

5. Learn Something!

Did you know Pluto was now a star not a planet? Yup, me neither until my 4 year-old schooled me. Hubby and I tried to teach him "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas". He looked at us like we were crazy. True story. Don't even get me started on the new math... Taking part in field trips that support school curriculum keeps you in the scholastic loop. You have an opportunity to learn on your child's level, acquire some information for further discussion at home and make it fun!

4. Meet The Parents
Pick up, drop off, crazy birthday parties. Most of us get to know our school parent peers by their cars or kids' names. We do it all the time, "Tyra's Mom, you know, they drive the red Honda." You'd be amazed how easy it is to talk to fellow Moms or Dads after a few boisterous rounds of Wheels on the Bus. No business suits, no bluetooths just bonding over a semi-gross turkey sandwich in a museum cafeteria. Give it a go and see your play date network expand before your eyes.

3. Spy on the Teachers
There's no better time or place to find out what someone's made of than to take them out of their comfort zone, put them under a microscope and into organized chaos. How do the teachers' talk to the kids under stress? Are they phony in front of the parents and administrators? Is the trip organized or utter mayhem? You can learn who's the boss with a little observation.

2. See Your Kid at Work & Play
All children come home with anecdotes about their favorite buddies. The have the days they can't stop talking about how funny their friends are, or who always has the best show and tell. Sometimes getting them to recount what they've learned isn't so easy. Tagging along on a field trip is a great way to see how what's being taught in class is sinking in. It also provides insight into your little one's growing personality. Is your quiet kiddo, really a class cutup? Do they need a little push to assert themselves in large groups? How well do they interact with older kids? You might be surprised by unexpected displays of brilliance. During a trip to the Adler Planetarium my son looked at me and said, "Earth is the birthplace of the human race." I almost hit the floor, my boy's a philosopher! After some research I found out he was quoting one of Optimus Prime's lines from Transformers 2, but still ... pretty profound!

1. Be Their Favorite... at least for the day
I'm not sure about older children, but my preschooler would have me come to class with him everyday if I could. I'd have a cot, cubby, the works. Of course that will never happen so this is the next best thing. Nothing gets you cool points quicker than chaperoning a field trip. Imagine their joy. Riding a bus to a fun new place with their best friends, fave teachers and YOU! Interactive lessons, laughter and love - what could be better :-) Take full advantage of these days where they actually want you around (and enjoy holding your hand). Relish it! They'll be preteens asking you to drop them two blocks from school before you know it.