Family Pipeline

Hold the Praise

"Honey, you're so smart"! "Sweetie, I've never seen a more incredible painting. What talent!" Yes, you love your child. But instead of praising your child to the stars, try praising your child's efforts ("You really worked hard on your homework. You should be proud of yourself" rather than "Another A? You're a genius!") Why? Despite our good intentions, studies have found that praising children's accomplishments can chip away at their self-esteem and motivation..."

read more via www.greatschools.org

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Sandy Hook - News Headlines

Five Things NOT To Say And Five Things To Say In A Trauma Involving Children
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-emily-c-heath/dealing-with-grief-five-t_b_2303910.html#slide=more270071

'I Am Adam Lanza's Mother': A Mom's Perspective On The Mental Illness Conversation In America
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother-mental-illness-conversation_n_2311009.html?ref=topbar

Autism, Empathy, And Violence: Asperger's Does Not Explain The Connecticut Shooting
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/17/autism-empathy-connecticut-shooting_n_2314769.html?ref=topbar

Timeline: School violence in the U.S.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/timeline-school-violence/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

After school shooting, how do we stop the violence?
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/school-shooting-violence-irpt/index.html

Replying to my pro-gun friends

Dear friends who can't tolerate anyone bringing up gun control: You're not going to intimidate me with your !!!!s, ????s, WORDS IN ALL CAPS, namecalling, and threats to unfriend. I am going to speak my mind regardless of your protestations.

I just wish you loved the First Amendment as much as your reading of the Second Amendment. Instead trying to bully people into submission, let us speak freely. Most people aren't calling for a ban on guns contrary to your knee-jerk reactions. We want better regulations on something that is already regulated. We just want improvements. To quote my friend Jim Sanches, there's a difference between regulating and banning.

Respect that America needs to talk about this massacre considering many factors including gun control. So, stop making wild accusations, calling people morons, and trying to shut down discussion.
read entire article

Source: http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/progun_friends

Father says his severely disabled 18-year-old son’s high grades are a sham

Eighteen-year-old Jared DeWeese is severely disabled. He cannot walk, talk, read or write. Nevertheless, WSB-TV reports, he is receiving straight A’s in several courses, including algebra, biology and world history at a school in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Now, Jared’s father, Wes DeWeese, is publicly questioning exactly how such a feat is possible, given his son’s limited aptitude and cognitive skills.

“My wife and I were pretty astounded,” Wes DeWeese told WSB-TV. “Glad he’s getting 90s and 100s. But he can’t do any of these. He has the mental capacity of a six-month-old.”

As the Daily Mail reports, DeWeese suspects that the grading policy at his son’s school is a sham meant to improve the overall statistics of Gwinnett County schools.

“There’s no way Jared can do algebra,” he told the station. “My goal isn’t for him to do algebra. My goal is to have him walk. I would love to hear him say ‘mom’ or ‘dad.’ But I know that’s probably never going to happen.”
read entire article

Source: The Daily Caller

Video Games at ProCon.org

"97% of 12-17 year olds in the US played video games in 2008, thus fueling an $11.7 billion domestic video game industry. In 2008, 10 of the top 20 best-selling video games in the US contained violence.

Violent video games have been blamed for school shootings, increases in bullying, and violence towards women. Critics argue that these games desensitize players to violence, reward players for simulating violence, and teach children that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflicts.

Video game advocates contend that a majority of the research on the topic is deeply flawed and that no causal relationship has been found between video games and social violence. They argue that violent video games may reduce violence by serving as a substitute for rough and tumble play and by providing a safe outlet for aggressive and angry feelings."

Follow the debate here...
Source: http://videogames.procon.org/