All parents have this experience in common. It’s what I call ‘the sandpit moment’. You’ll recognise it. Your child is playing alongside another. Someone throws sand, and both children begin to cry. Your immediate reaction is to protect your child. The other child’s parent reacts in the same way. Usually, there is a congenial outcome and both children learn some valuable moral lessons – about personal space, resilience, or getting along with others.
But it doesn’t always work that way.
You almost certainly have your own ‘sandpit’ stories – those times when different points of view are expressed, different values defended and, dare I say it, allegations made. In cases like this, how do you react? You want to protect your child, but you don’t want to appear too assertive. Either way, you have a choice. Being the voice for your child is not about being right or wrong; it’s about contributing to a resolution when facts and opinions are out of balance.
Today you could say we have windows into one another’s lives, hearts and minds. The world is on our doorstep and always at our fingertips. The sandpit is global as well as local. But while your children are growing up, the sandpit is often the school and classroom.
A FREE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS
SAFE SCHOOLS: SPEAK OUT FOR YOUR CHILD!
The Safe Schools program, and the discussion surrounding it, demonstrate clearly that parents have strong, individual views about their children’s education.
An authentic school expects parent advocates and protestors to seek information, engage in open forums, speak out, and take a stand for their children.
On Wednesday 11 October at 11am, I will host a live webinar, to explore these important questions:
- Does your school encourage parents to be advocates for their children?
- How does your school protect the crucial relationship between parent and child?
Please join us.
Places are filling fast!
In this 1 hour webinar, we’ll examine the fundamental principles that authentic schools apply to protect the parent-child relationship, and to encourage you to be a voice for your children.
I will make particular reference to the proposed compulsory Safe Schools program and its potential impact on your family.
The webinar will equip you to:
· Identify the benefits and limitations of the Safe Schools program.
· Formulate key questions you need to ask your child’s teacher, the school principal and other parents.
· Advocate for a school forum on the issue of a safer school for you and your child.
· Advocate opt-in or opt-out for your child.
Can’t make it? Register anyway! You’ll be given access to watch the webinar replay – on demand, at your own convenience.
But remember, when we reach the limit on attendees, registration will close.
I look forward to your presence at the webinar on Wednesday, 11 October at 11am.
You might like to register for the companion webinar for teachers and principals.
Tuesday 10 October at 4pm.
If you have specific questions, email me at any time: cheryl@cheryllacey.com
Cheryl Lacey is a parent, educationist and agitator of change in Australian education
To learn more contact Cheryl at cheryl@cheryllacey.com
© Cheryl Lacey 2016. All rights reserved
