Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 20122 FAMILY

Helping Kids toGrow & Learn

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America's heritage: New tool for exploring your family's history is now availableIf you’re like most Americans, you like to feel connected: to the past, to a place and to others. Discovering your family history can be a rewarding way to establish those connections and help uncover who you are and where you came from.

It can start simply by identifying who is in your extended family. You may be able to find the names of your ancestors – grandmothers, uncles, cousins – going back hundreds of years.

Next, you can get to know them, learn where they were born, whom they married, how they made a living, where they lived and how they died.

The abi l it y to ma ke such connections is gett ing an unprecedented boost this year with the release of the 1940 U.S. Census. Research shows that 87 percent of Americans alive today should be able to find a relative in the 1940 Census. That is almost 275 million people who have a connection to these historical records.

This is the census of The Greatest Generation. It showed 16-million American men and women safe at home on the brink of joining the deadliest war in human history. For the more than 400,000 who never returned from World War II, it’s the last census to record their names.

The census tells the story of a country grappling with the greatest economic hardship it had ever known, something many find particularly relevant today, as the country starts to emerge from its current economic troubles.

Because modern technology lets you access the census at home as never before, Tim Sullivan, the president and CEO of Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, says his company has made the 1940 Census free to search at www.ancestry.com/1940.

Millions of people can literally sit down with neighbors, friends or relatives who were actually there in 1940, find the census page with their name on it, and get them talking. You’ll find an address for their home, names of family and neighbors. You’ll

see the highest grade they had completed in school and the family’s yearly income in 1939. While they talk, you may get to know them better and get a better understanding of that place in time. You may even get to know a little more about yourself and how you fit into the larger arc of your family’s history and the world’s.

For example, Sharon Harris had only been looking at the 1940 Census for a brief time on Ancestry.com before she came across a record of her uncle. She couldn’t believe her luck: Not only had she found him quickly, but he was married to someone she didn’t recognize. This short search into the new census has already given her a clue to an aunt that Harris never knew about. Next on her list for discovery is her family’s biggest mystery: her great grandfather’s disappearance in the 1930s.

It could help you understand – and share with your family – the essential human question of who you are and where you came from. Source: NAPSI

Americans can get help digging for their roots now that the 1940 U.S. Census is available, free, online.

An infant’s Social Security number is used in a credit card application. A 10-year-old’s identif ication information is used to apply for a car loan. Grandpa gets an email claiming that he won the lottery and needs to provide information to collect the winnings. Today, identity theft can occur to anyone, not just middle-aged adults.

Savvy thieves are targeting every generation, from child to adult to senior. It’s important to stay alert so every member of your family is better protected.

Child ID theft

Think you don’t have to worry about identity theft for your kids? The fact is more than 19,000 cases of child identity theft were reported in 2011, up from about 6,000 in 2003, according to the Federal Trade Commission. How does this occur to children, who typically don’t even have a bank account? Every day many parents send their children to school and child care with personal information in their backpacks. Backpacks are typically hung out of sight for hours or information can end up in desks for days, providing ample opportunity for identity thieves.

How can you tell if your child’s ID has been stolen? If your child begins to receive suspicious mail, like pre-approved credit cards and other financial offers normally sent to adults, his identity might have been compromised. Also, a child should never have a credit history until they are older and actually have financial accounts. If you suspect that identity thieves may have targeted your child, complete a secure Child Identity Theft Inquiry Form at TransUnion.com. TransUnion will investigate the existence of a potential credit file in your child’s name, and after the search is complete, respond to you at the email address you provide. If a file is located in your child’s name, additional information will be asked for in order to proceed with steps to protect your child from any impact associated with this fraudulent activity.

Infant to senior: How identity theft is affecting every generation

Identity theftpage 3 ‰

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012 FAMILY 3

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The most important thing you can do to avoid child identity theft is to be mindful of the personal information your chil-dren are carrying. Make sure their information is kept in a safe spot and not just tossed in the bottom of a school bag. Even better, seal any documents that contain your child’s personal information in an envelope addressed to the school. Also, ex-plain to your kids that they shouldn’t share personal informa-tion with strangers in-person or online.

Adult ID theft

Unfortunately, as many as 9-million Americans have their identities stolen each year, according to the FTC. Innovative thieves can get your information in many ways – from online hacking to dumpster diving.

To avoid ID theft, always shred personal documents, only use secure sites when shopping online, and give out your driver license number and other identification only when absolutely necessary. It’s also wise to pick up your mail from your box ev-ery day and consider depositing outbound mail in a mailbox at the post office. Awareness is your best weapon against iden-

tity thieves, so subscribing to a monitoring service like Trans-Union Total gives you peace of mind. The service helps you minimize your exposure to identity theft by proactively moni-toring the sites where posting personal information may oc-

cur. The service also includes monitoring for changes in your credit, new addresses registered with the postal service, court records and non-credit loans not reported to the credit bu-reaus. If ID theft does happen, you won’t be alone. TransUnion will help you restore your good name and also help you cancel stolen items from your wallet and obtain new ones.

Senior ID theft

Seniors are frequently targeted by online phishing scams. If you’re a senior, or you are an adult child who cares for an el-derly parent, it’s important to always guard personal infor-mation closely. Seniors are often targeted on the phone with offers of free samples or lottery winnings: the caller simply needs some personal information to transfer the money or send the item. Another popular scheme is someone posing as a relative who is stuck and needs money in order to get home. Every senior should be highly skeptical when asked for bank accounts or Social Security numbers on the phone or Internet.

Another issue – that is an easy fix – is many seniors carry their personal information with them at all times including their Social Security card, Medicare card, check book, etc. It’s wise to only carry what is needed when leaving the house. Source: ARA Content

Identity theft affects all generations. By knowing the different considerations for the various ages of your family’s members, you’ll help keep everyone safe today and in the future.

Identity theft from page 2

Good habits start earlyBy Tresa Erickson Feature Writer

Most babies are born without teeth, which might lead you to think you can forget about dental care unti l the f irst tooth erupts. Many pediatric d e n t i s t s , h o w e v e r, s a y otherwise. They recommend good oral care from the start in order to prepare the baby for what is to come.

Dent ists recom mend you clean your baby’s gums at least twice a day, once after the f irst feeding and once after the last feeding. If time p er m it s , y ou m ay c le a n your baby’s gums after each feeding. To clean your baby’s gums, just run a clean, damp washcloth along their lower and upper gums.

Most babies will get their first toot h somet i me bet ween the ages of six to 12 months. Ma ny pe d iat r ic dent i st s recommend you set up a de nt a l a pp oi nt m e nt f or your child when this occurs. The dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your child’s mouth to make sure everything is in order.

In addition to taking your baby to the dentist regularly, you should also brush their teet h a nd g ums. For t his task, you w il l need a soft infant toothbrush and age-appropriate toothpaste. You should brush your baby’s teeth and gums twice a day.

T here a re f u r t her s teps you can take to prevent the development of decay. Never let your baby fall asleep with a bott le. W hatever l iquid remains in the bottle might pool into their mouth and set up a breeding ground for germs and decay. Never give your baby fruit juice in a bottle. Again, this could lead to pooling, which could lead to decay. Give them fruit juice

in a cup instead, and make sure you wean them from the bottle by the age of 14 months. Finally, discourage thumb sucking, especially past the age of two. It could lead to problems with alignment of the teeth.

Caring for your baby’s teeth and gums early on will get them into the habit of having their mouth cared for and set the stage for good oral hygiene later on. Once your child reaches the age of three, you may be able to take on more of a supervisory role and let them brush their teeth on their own. Just make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and brush all of their teeth properly. And don’t forget about f lossing, which is essential to healthy teeth. Teach your child to floss daily.

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 20124 FAMILY Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, October 7, 2012 FAMILY 5

Guide for parents: Important tips for selecting a daycare for your childBy Donna Rousseau Feature Writer

Daycare for children isn’t just daycare anymore.

Most of today’s daycare programs fea-ture a pre-school component in addi-tion to the hands-on care and nurtur-ing of little ones. In an increasingly competitive, technologically sav v y world, directors and teachers of these programs feel the heavy responsibil-ity of readying children for their educa-tional journeys and yet, they are mind-ful of the importance of fostering a joy in learning.

Angela Robitaille, owner and director of Carol A nn’s Daycare Center in Lewiston, has been caring for and teaching young children since 2005. She taught kindergarten for three years and eventually took the reins of the program from her mother-in-law three-and-a-half years ago. In her professional experience, social learning – sharing, using words and not physicality to communicate needs, having the ability to sit and listen to a story – are all key to success in later learning environments.

Robitaille’s program utilizes theme-based activities – one week may have an apple theme, another week, pumpkins – and that theme is incorporated into the learning through outside exploration, story time, music and art, as well as the more “academic” activities of learning letters, numbers, and practicing writing. She and her staff focus on keeping the learning fun and meeting the children where they are developmentally in skills.

“We use the Early Childhood Learning Guidelines to formally observe our children two times a year but, a child’s authentic learning can be seen through natural play,” explained Robitaille. “We ack nowledge t he i ncrea sed expectations for children to know all their letters, read, and write. The emphasis, however, must be on striking a good balance of all areas of learning, both academic and social.”

Clover Pre-School Director Kim St. Pierre concurs with that philosophy and is very clear with the parents of children entering her program on what they can expect for a pre-school expe-rience. Located within Clover Health Care on Minot Avenue in Auburn, her program features daily interaction be-tween children and the elderly.

Submitted photosIn the craft corner at Clover Pre-School are Madeline (pre-schooler) and Corrine (Clover resident) above, and Kathleen (Clover resident) and Calvin (pre-schooler) below.

“ We a r e lo c at e d i n a n e lder l y community and we are fortunate to be in their home. Therefore, we do practice good manners, handshaking, saying hello or acknowledging people, acceptance of others – basic common courtesy. This is a socia l ly based program; if parents are looking for lots of worksheets, this is not the program.”

St. Pierre, who has a close working relationship with Fairview School’s public pre-k and kindergarten teachers, agrees with Robitaille on what skills will support a child’s success in school.

“The teachers have told me,” noted St. Pierre, “that they can teach a child anything so long as that child can ask for help and use their words to resolve conflict and make their needs known. These are the skills that a person needs to get along in the world and if a child can do these things, they can succeed in school.”

Unlike Robitaille’s program that can accommodate infants, toddlers, and pre-school aged children, St. Pierre’s program is geared for ages t hree

through five. A typical day includes story, snack, and rest time, outdoor play, and visits to different neighbors within Clover. Neighborhood visits might involve movement and music, creating a work of art or sharing a special snack time with residents.

In South Paris, the Pine Tree Children’s House offers another choice of pre-school experience. Its program is based on the discoveries of Dr. Maria Montes-sori and is designed around children’s spontaneous urge to learn. Directress Brendalee Collins ran her own daycare program for years before she decided to take a break and work for someone else. That’s when she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy.

Her classroom features neutral colors, natural elements of wood, water, and greenery and its design is specific to child-centered learning. The room is spacious with several small stations that can accommodate two children at a time; some areas including one dedicated to art activities allow for as many as four children at one time.

Submitted photoThe children at Carol Ann’s Daycare went on a field trip to Wallingford’s Orchards in Auburn. Back at the daycare, the children prepared the apples for pies. Shown here are assistant teacher Katie Beal and Kya Robitaille peeling. In the background are Darien Appleton and Kiera Bean watching.

Primary colors are absent and the lea r n i ng mater ia ls ava i lable a re nature-based: wood, stone, metal, water, plants, and natural fibers. Areas are dedicated to specific activities including practical life skills, math, language, cultural, science, geography, art, music, and sensorial. Children are allowed to explore any area of interest, using the materials provided, and teachers observe and provide one-on-one lessons. Without the use of worksheets, the children learn letters and numbers in a variety of ways: sound, feel, sight.

“We observe the children and provide one on one lessons; we encourage the exploration of all the areas, especially if a child tends to gravitate toward the same activities,” said Collins. “Many of the activities are self-correcting, meaning at its completion, a child will know if he or she has succeeded and if not, will be able to figure out what went wrong and correct it.”

In Montessori, through setting a table, using real glassware, loading batteries in a f lashlight so it works, or using the

recycling bin, there is a practical life lesson for just about anything.

All three pre-school directors give a nod to structure with circle time to talk about the calendar, weather, and seasons. All believe children learn best through play and exploration of their world. Some offer room to transition through the ages and into a pre-school environment while oth-ers provide an all-day, age-specific, pre-school experience.

With so many

choices for the

daycare/pre-school

experience, how does

a parent choose the

“right” setting?Here are some tips straight from the professionals:

• Look for a setting that feels good when you enter. If it doesn’t feel inviting when you walk in, walk out.

• Look for cleanliness.

• A r e t h e r e a c c r e d it a t ion s a nd philosophies? W hat are they and how do they inf luence your child’s experience?

• Observe the staff’s professionalism in appearance, manner, and interaction with you and your child.

• Take note of artwork, pictures, and decor – is this a place designed for children and learning?

As a parent, if you don’t “feel it.” it ’s probably not for your child.

Submitted photosAt the Pine Tree Children’s House in South Paris, above and top right, the program is based on the discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori and is designed around children’s spontaneous urge to learn.

Extracurricular activities: Give a little nudge

Your third grader often comes home with stories of groups engaging in such and such activity at school. You see this as a good opportunity to ask them if they would like to get involved in something, but they always say no.

They’re not interested in taking part in anything, not team sports, not school clubs, not even the school band. Your spouse is not pleased with their decision and thinks they could use a big push. You’re not sure. You didn’t participate in much at school as a child, so why should you expect your third grader to be any different?

While some children are joiners and have jam-packed schedules to prove it, others are loners and choose to do little in the way of extracurricular activities. If your child is among them but has a few close friends and otherwise appears to be doing well, you may want to leave them be. They will join in when it feels right to them.

If your child is not really a loner but simply lonely and you think they might benefit from participating in an extra-curricular activity, you might want to give them a nudge. Discuss with them the activities offered at their school and encourage them to get involved in one of them.

Don’t push. Children should never be forced or pressured to participate in an activity. Their de-fenses will come up and they will not enjoy them-selves. They might even lash out and cause trouble.

The best way to get a child involved is to find an extra-curricular activity they like, or at the very least, are not

opposed to. What does your child enjoy doing? Do they like to run? Perhaps they should try out for track.

Do they like to paint and draw? Perhaps they would enjoy being a member of the art club. Do they like to sing and dance? Perhaps they should try out for a play or join the drama club.

Schools offer all sorts of extracurricular activities, and if none of them appeal to your child, perhaps you could change directions and look at activities offered in your community. Ask friends and family for recommenda-tions. Contact the park district office for an activity guide. Check with churches, libraries, hospitals and zoos for volunteer programs. You never know what organizations might offer activities and volunteer opportunities.

Once your child has found a few items of interest, take the time to check them out together. Arrange to observe the class in action or meet with someone about the volunteer program.

Ask questions and learn as much as you can about the opportunities. The more your child knows, the more comfortable they will feel and the more apt they will be to join in.

Should your child find something to participate in, be supportive. Make sure they have a way to and from the activity and all of the supplies needed to participate.

Go to any events associated with the activity. With your support, your child will participate, and hopefully, they will enjoy themselves. They may even have so much fun that they sign up for the activity again or pursue a new activity altogether.

One of the first major milestones a child hits is potty training. As this can be a frustrating process at times, here are some tips that may help make the process smooth, and perhaps even fun.

Remember every child is unique. It’s important to remember that no two kids train alike. Some children might be completely potty trained by age 2 while others might still be learning this new skill at age 4. Some might master going to the bathroom during the day, but still have trouble at night. Children learn at their own pace so it’s important to remain positive and patient throughout the ups and downs of the potty training adventure.

Be a supportive coach. When your child starts showing signs he or she is ready to be potty trained (staying dry for two hours or more, understanding the feeling of a full bladder, distaste for soiled diapers) remember the basics. Focus on the positive and stay upbeat. Your child looks up to you and loves praise so get excited at successes and don’t get upset when accidents happen.

Create a nighttime routine. While it’s true that potty training is a 24/7 activity, nighttime has some unique challenges parents should consider. Because your child will be sleeping for a long period of time, it’s not uncommon for accidents to occur in bed, even for older

children. Parents can make potty training a fun part of every evening with these three steps:

Consistency is key in teaching toddlers new behaviors. “Fostering a nightly potty training routine helps tod-dlers learn consistency as their bodies grow to stay dry at night,” said Dr. Heather Wittenberg, expert in child development. Lack of consistency can confuse chil-dren and may cause potty training stumbling blocks.

A nighttime routine isn’t just about brushing teeth and going to the bathroom. It also can include fun and motivating rituals such as performing the new Bedtime Light Show with Pull-Ups Night*Time disposable training pants with new glow-in-the-dark designs. Simply charge the training pant by holding it under a bright light source for 30 to 60 seconds, help your child put them on and darken the room by turning off the light and shutting out additional light to help ensure the proper glow.

Once your child is in bed, it’s time to tuck him in with a hug or kiss goodnight. Take a minute to talk about the day, emphasize the good efforts made toward potty training and encourage them to continue these habits. This reassurance will set the tone for success on your potty training journey. Source: ARAContent

By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer

An early milestone: Potty training

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Brandi Chastain's 5 healthy habits for busy familiesFor many families, school means routines and main-taining busy schedules that keep the entire family on the go – especially those fami-lies who are juggling school as well as extracurricular ac-tivities and sports. That’s why it’s particularly important to take the right steps, begin-ning with a few healthy habits that will carry them through not only the school year, but for a lifetime.

It’s easy to get started. For children to adopt healthy rou-tines, many experts agree that the whole family needs to be involved. Brandi Chastain, Olympic and world soccer champion, mom and mentor said, “To keep my family on

track, I like to incorporate a few simple rules for healthy living into our busy lives.”

Hydrate to perform great. K ids shou ld d r i n k water before, du r i ng a nd a f ter exerc i se. W h i le exerc i se generates heat and increases the body’s core temperature, water works to bring body temperat u re back to t he normal 98.6 Farenheit. Let your child pick out a colorful water bottle to make drinking water fun.

Always make time for healthy meals. The USDA says that half our plates should be filled with colorful fruits and veggies, but when your children are con-stantly running from school

to practice and back, it can be tough to get them to eat that perfect meal. Add Libby’s Sin-gle Fruit Cups, which contain one complete serving of fruit, to your children’s bags for an easy and nutritious snack.

Sleep is important. Children should receive an average of eight to nine hours of sleep each night. Without enough s le e p c h i ld r e n w i l l not perform to their full potential during school, practice or games. Help your children st ick to a re g u la r s le ep schedule by making bedtime fun – read them a story or sing a song while they fall asleep.

Turn exercise into a family af-fair. When exercising is a solo act, it can sometimes feel like a chore. Bring the whole fam-ily onboard and make exercis-ing fun, family time. Join your kids in a game of soccer, Dou-ble Dutch or kickball.

Lead by example. Although it’s easy to stop at the drive-thru on the way home from prac-

tice, make an effort to eat well, exercise, and live a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about healthy eating habits, and for

easy weeknight recipes, visit www.getbacktothetable.com. Source: NewsUSA

When you set a good example, your kids are more likely to follow. Become a role model by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. It’s easier when you make a team effort.

Tips for parents: Discussing underage drinkingThere’s welcome news for parents who have yet to have a discussion with their son or daughter about underage drinking. There’s a free pro-gram that’s designed to help parents begin the conversa-tion and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their kids.

According to a recent study, 67 percent of parents feel that they have inf luence on their teens’ decisions about u n d e r a g e d r i n k i n g a n d they think their teens listen to what they have to say. Additionally, the parenting poll revealed that parents who’ve a l ready ta l ked to their teens about underage drinking this back-to-school season believe they’re getting through to their kids, with 88 percent saying their teens were receptive. The survey

was conducted by Impulse Research for Anheuser-Busch.

First launched more than 20 years ago, Family Talk was revamped in 2011 and now focuses on parenting stages – teacher, facilitator, and coach – that help parents use and adapt their influence to help prevent underage drinking as their children grow and mature.

The program was recently renovated and expanded with help from certif ied parent coach, MJ Corcoran, to be a comprehensive resource for parents of kids of all ages.

The program guide, which can be downloaded for free from

Underagepage 7 ‰

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When discussing drinking, parents should ask open-ended questions, such as “If there’s drinking at the party, what will you do?”

the program’s Facebook page, offers parents a number of tips for having more meaningful conversat ions w it h t hei r ch i ld ren about d r i n k i ng, including:

• Asking open-ended ques-t ions, such as “If there’s drinking at the party, what will you do?” or “What do you think about kids who drink?”

• L isten i ng w it h a n open mind. In other words, stay focused on what your child is saying right then, not on what he or she has said in the past, or what parents think their child should be saying.

• Sett ing consistent, clea r boundaries.

Underagefrom page 6

“Ou r Fa m i ly Ta l k A bout Drinking program is designed to help parents begin the con-versation and maintain an on-going dialogue, whether their child is in elementary, middle or high school, or even headed

to college,” said Kathy Casso, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for An-heuser-Busch.

To learn more, v isit w w w.facebook.com/ABFamilyTalk. Source: NAPSI

What to do when your teen starts dating

When you were a teen, the guys did the asking. Today, that’s no longer the case. Girls are just as likely to do the asking, sometimes as early as age 12 or 13. Gener-ally, at this age, dating oc-curs in a group setting, that is, a group of friends pair up and get together for a night at the movies or the bowling alley. This kind of setting al-leviates the pressure of being one-on-one with someone and gives teens an opportu-nity to get to know each oth-er. Unfortunately, it also sets the stage for peer pressure. Teens in a group setting are more likely to succumb to

peer pressure and do some-thing they wouldn’t other-wise do. Talking to your teen before they go out about the social pressures they might face will help ensure they ma ke t he r ight decision should the situation arise.

Whether your teen chooses to go out as part of a group or a pair, you need to set some ground rules regarding where and when the date can take place. Public places are ideal, and depending upon the activity planned, you may want to insist on adult super v ision. A couple of teens going to the movie the-ater might not pose as much risk as them going to a con-cert. In that case, you might

want to escort your teen and their date to the concert, sit-ting several rows away from them. As for time, you prob-ably want to insist on a time frame for the date when places are busier, say the early evening rather than the late night. Go ahead and set a curfew to ensure your teen is home at a reasonable time.

You might also want to learn a little something about your teen’s date, especially if you do not know them. Find out who their date is and where the two of them met. Be wary of any meetings that took place online. In fact, you might want to monitor your teen’s online activity to en-sure they are not accidentally putting themselves in dan-ger. Arrange to actually meet your teen’s date, whether at the front door or inside the house. Although first impres-sions can be deceiving, actu-ally seeing the person your teen is going out with may make you relax a little.

Communication is impor-tant when teens are dating. Keep the channels open and be willing to discuss what-ever may come up, even if it’s a subject you’re not comfort-able with. Make sure your teen knows where you stand on important issues like drugs and alcohol and that they can call on you, day or night, in the event they get into a situation they shouldn’t.

Finally, be f lexible. Yes, you shou ld set good g round rules, but you should also be willing to change them as the need arises. What works for your teen as a 13-year-old may not work for them later. You may have to be a little more lenient as they mature and extend their curfew with each passing year. The key to maintaining a good relation-ship with your teen when they are dating is communication. Talk with your teen often and work with them to establish ground rules that suit them and you.

By Tresa Erickson Feature Writer

Selecting your grandparent name

Lea rning t hat one is to become a grandparent is an important life moment and selecting your grandparent name can be fun.

Traditional grandmother names:

Big MomGram

GrammaGrammy

GramsGrandma

GrandmamaGrandmom

GrandmotherGrannie

Ma or MawMamo

MawMawMema

MemawMemere

Mom-MomNana

Nanny

Modern grandmother names:

BeBeBellaGiGi

G-MaG-MomHoneyLovey

MayMayMia

MimMimiNina

Traditional grandfather names:

GrandfatherGrandpaGrampa

GrandpappyGramps

GranddadGranddaddy

GrandpopPawPawBig PawPeepawPepere

PapadaddyPop

Poppa

PopsPop-Pop

PoppyBig DaddyBoom-pa

BompaBumpyBoppa

Modern grandfather names:

ChiefCaptain

GG-Daddy

G-PaDuke

Buddy

So�urce:�Grandparents.about.com/.

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Juggling college, career, and family

Balancing work and family is a familiar challenge for many parents, but when you add college classes to the mix it can become a real juggling act.

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, parents of dependent children comprise nearly a quarter (3.9 million) of America’s 17 million college students and half of those (1.9 million) are single parents.

For many college-bound par-ents, career success depends on advancing their education and refreshing their job skills.

“Today’s careers are longer and more complex than in the past,” said Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugent i, v ice president and managing director of Apollo Research Institute. “Cont inuing educat ion is critical to staying employable over a career that may last 50 to 60 years and require 10 or more job changes.”

But don’t rush back to college i f you don’t have a clea r purpose or plan for managing your time. Apollo Research I n st it ute su r ve ye d more than 4,400 adult students and found that 56 percent experience anxiety over not spending enough time with friends and loved ones.

Here�are�some�tips�to�help�college-going�parents�stay�the�course:

• Seek a program with flexible class scheduling. Evening cla sses, on l i ne lea r n i ng or hybrid progra ms t hat combine online a nd on-

Online learning can help busy parents balance their classwork with job responsibilities and family time.

campus classes are designed for working adults.

• Look for programs that use innovative technologies. By building technology skills, you will increase your value to an employer.

• Don’t underest imate t he time you’ll need to complete a s sig n ment s out side of c l a s s . A s k f a c u lt y a nd fellow students about time requirements.

• Engage your chi ldren in your learning process by taking them to the library or setting up shared space to do homework together. Dia log ue w it h your k ids about what you are learning and the role education plays in your lives.

• Ta lk w ith your employer a b o u t y o u r g o a l s a n d

educational plan; explore tuition-assistance programs that your company may offer.

• E x plor e r e s ou r c e s t h at your college may provide, such as work-life balance consu lta nts to help you locate child care and manage your time.

Learn more at http://w w w.apolloresearchinstitute.org. Source:�NAPSI