Christine Neff
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Comments
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On the article Moms Talk: Helping Kids Get Jobs
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On the article Moms Talk: Choosing A Preschool
Christine Neff
1:33 pm on Thursday, March 24, 2011
ReplyThis is really great information, Chandra. Thanks!
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On the article Moms Talk: Coming Out
Christine Neff
2:13 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
ReplyCarol, thank you for sharing your experience and these wonderful resources!
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On the article Moms Talk: Picky Eaters? Get to Know Your Farmer
Christine Neff
2:12 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2011
ReplyHi, all. Great article, Katherine! Lots of good ideas for getting healthy foods to the table and in to little ones' tummies! My family joined a CSA last year and really enjoyed it. We loved getting a big box of wonderful, fresh produce -- of all varieties -- every week and discovering new ways to prepare foods that were new to us. We also shop at farmer's markets regularly, grow a garden and do some canning when we can (my husband's hobby). My daughter will be a bit older this summer, so I am curious as to how she will enjoy the CSA produce. She loves her broccoli, spinach and corn and pretty much all fruits, but I don't know if the more "exotic" things will appeal to her. I'm hoping they do. Thanks for the great information.
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On the article Moms Talk: School Decisions: Public or Private? And Advanced Programs
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On the article Moms Talk: School Decisions: Public or Private? And Advanced Programs
Christine Neff
2:20 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
ReplyHi, all. Hope you had a good week. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this subject since I will be faced with these decisions soon. Any additional advice for choosing a preschool program in the area?
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On the article Moms Talk: Race To Nowhere
Christine Neff
2:44 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
ReplyGreat advice from Katherine and Carol! You both seemed to find ways to keep your children focused on the "right" things -- the activities they enjoy, family time. That seems so important.
In your experience, where does the pressure on kids come from? From teachers/administrators, parents, peers, from within themselves?
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On the article Moms Talk: Race To Nowhere
Christine Neff
2:12 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
ReplyHello, all. Hope everyone had a good week! I am really anxious to hear your response to this week’s question. It is a topic my husband and I have been discussing a lot recently, though our daughter is still a few years away from starting the “race.” Undoubtedly, the DC-area is achievement-oriented. We moved to Northern Virginia, in part, because of the excellent reputation of local public schools. But it does come at a cost. Are we putting too much pressure on our children to perform? And what is the payoff if they live up to those expectations? A better college? A better career? A leg up on the rat race of adulthood? Where does happiness and enjoying life fit in to that vision? I want my daughter to have the best opportunities, but I certainly don’t want her to become a burned-out, depressed, robo-student. How are you parents of school-age children balancing those demands?
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On the article Moms Talk: Full-Day Kindergarten
Christine Neff
5:22 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
ReplyInteresting thoughts, everyone.
Angela - it does seem that full-day K would help out working parents who would otherwise have to make arrangements for after-school care/transportation.
IRE - Curriculum demands are an interesting piece of the puzzle. It does make sense that a full-day program would make it easier for students/teachers to cover the required material and (hopefully) leave some time for fun. But are we requiring too much of children this age? I have talked to local parents who have hired tutors for their kindergarten-aged kids. Have to admit, that intimidated me a bit.
Any thoughts from those of you with children in school?
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On the article Moms Talk: Full-Day Kindergarten
Christine Neff
2:11 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
ReplyHi, Vienna Moms! I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone through these Moms Council chats. What a great way to exchange information and ideas about parenting -- something I am always trying to do. Since I have a few years before my daughter reaches school-age, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on full-day K. I have lived in other communities where full-day K was a given, and was a bit surprised to find it still in the process of being implemented here. What do you think about the reservations some parents have about a full day's worth of school for a 5 or 6 year old child?
Christine Neff
8:31 pm on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The summer I turned 15, my mom (a college professor who was home during the summers) decided it was time for me to get a job. I think she was tired of the endless bickering between me and my sister! My dad helped me get an unpaid internship at the local paper, and I have been working in the publishing industry ever since. I loved working at a young age, and found the experience to be invaluable as I launched a real career many years later. I will encourage my daughter to do the same -- though she has quite a few more summers to relax before I ship her off to the workforce!