TIPS ON PARENTING

By Casey Russell

The beginning of a new year always feels to me like a chance to reset, rethink and start anew. I like to mentally gauge what’s working and what can be improved upon. I write a few goals for the year and, though I only meet about 60 percent of them, over time, changes get made.

This year, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I am responsible for. How did I learn to be comfortable with the responsibilities I’ve had at each point in my life? And, what can I, as a parent, do to help my daughter learn to be comfortable taking on more responsibilities and challenges as she grows?

From a young age, I was given small responsibilities — the same ones I gave my daughter when she was young. I was responsible for putting away my toys, taking my dishes to the sink when I finished eating, brushing my teeth and helping put clean silverware away. I remember feeling proud that I was helping (most of the time) and I learned that, in a family, people pitch in and help keep things nice for everyone.

Learning to help out and be responsible for ourselves is an essential part of growing up. And, as parents, it’s our responsibility to guide our kids through this process.

So, what are some age-appropriate tasks kids can take on?

Toddler tasks

Toddlers want to get in on pretty much everything. So, this is a great age to delegate some easy tasks. Need help putting that new package of toilet paper rolls in the cupboard? Hand it to the toddler. Folding laundry? Have your little one find all the matching socks. Fido need food? Show your little one how to feed the pup. Floorboards looking dusty? Ask the person lowest to the ground to put a sock on her hand and wipe off the dust.

Tasks for young kids

As kids get to the preschool / kindergarten age, they are ready for more involved tasks: clearing the table, making a bed, ensuring that the sink is tidy after teeth brushing

PAGE ACADEMY

Isabella Argiropoulos 7th Grade

Hello my Larchmont neighbors! December was a busy yet funfilled month for us. Our student council organized a toy drive for children who are less fortunate. Thank you to all who donated, as it was an amazing success!

On Dec. 9, Page students from preschool through 8th grade performed in “Let it Show!” — a Page Academy holiday special. The students were in top form and families and friends had a blast while also partaking in many holiday treats during our pre-show holiday bake sale!

There was more feasting and also Secret Santa gifts at our holiday parties on Dec. 15, with a special visit from a certain jolly guy in a red suit and white beard!

Second term report cards went home on Dec. 22 as the holiday break began. Classes will resume on Mon., Jan. 9, and our second quarter honor roll assembly will be on Fri., Jan. 13.

In honor of Martin Luther King Day on Mon., Jan. 16, Page Academy will spend time during the month learning about this great man in American History.

We will round out the month on Mon., Jan. 23, with the 100th Day of School festivities, where our students are encouraged to dress as if they were 100!

All our best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year from the students and staff of Page Academmy!

OAKWOOD SCHOOL

By Scarlett Saldaña 12th Grade

Coming up at Oakwood is our annual Spirit Night! Filled with basketball varsity games, music and dance performances, students from the elementary and secondary schools will come together to celebrate school spirit. This is one of my favorite events, as there’s always delicious food and it’s exciting cheering Oakwood on with the whole community.

In mid-January, the high school visual arts department will have a “High School Film Screening.” Students are given the chance to showcase their creations, whether they are class projects or personal films. Along with this, Choreolab, Oakwood’s student-driven dance company, will perform at the Winter Dance Concert with the hip-hop and modern dance classes.

Lastly, the high school students will have their Semi-Formal. Coordinated and planned by representatives from the student council, past themes have been “The 70s,” “Under the Sea,” and “Slumber Party.” I always enjoy this event because there’s an activity for everyone. Whether you would rather dance or watch a movie with friends, the event provides all of this, as well as a photo booth, and even foods like pizza and cotton candy.

by Casey Russell

is complete, picking up their own bedrooms, helping water the garden, dusting surfaces or scrubbing table tops, helping chop potatoes (while supervised) and making sure coats and shoes are put where they belong after coming in the door. Elementary responsibilities

Elementary-aged kids can be responsible for exercising the dog in the yard or picking up the poop when walking the dog with an adult. They can clean out their own lunch bags and remember to pack their reusable water bottles and homework each day. Kids this age can assist in making — and then can make — their own lunches, and they can help with all sorts of food prep. Unloading the dishwasher and deep-cleaning their own bedrooms (with a checklist) are great tasks for this group. Kids this age can help shop for groceries and then help bring them in and put them away. If younger siblings are involved, these older counterparts can help out with bath time or hair brushing. There is a pride that can come from being entrusted to help care for someone. Tasks for pre-teens

As kids get to the pre-teen stage, it’s important to allow them the space to remember responsibilities on their own. Constant reminders will do kids this age (and beyond) a disservice. Providing a way to help her remember on her own will be much more beneficial in the long run. Chore charts work well for many families. Punishments for forgetting to do things often backfire, making the responsibility (and the parent) seem like the enemy. Small rewards for showing self-reliance work much better and can increase self-esteem. And kids this age can do a lot! They can do their own laundry, or at least fold and put away laundry that is done. Trash and recycling duty can be delegated to this crowd, as can washing the car. A room or two can be assigned to pre-teens on apartment / house cleaning day. Planning and making a weekly meal is great for this age group, as well.

Teen responsibilities

As the teen years hit, pretty much any chore a parent is capable of doing, a teen is also capable of. It is important that teens learn to do the things they’ll soon need to do on their own. If they’re not yet making and cleaning up a family meal, now is the time to ensure that happens weekly. The same goes for laundry duty and cleaning. These skills are necessary life skills and, if kids don’t learn and practice them now, they’ll be at a disadvantage later.

Mowing the lawn and yard work are great tasks for teens (and can provide an extra source of income if neighbors want to hire them). Teens can be handed the plunger instead of being saved from a clogged toilet by super-mom coming to the rescue. Basic home repair (fixable with a screwdriver, a changed light bulb or fuse box adjustment) can be delegated to kids this age.

The funny thing is, with establishment of the feeling that each family member helping makes life run smoothly, chores and responsibilities don’t feel like punishments. They can actually make everyone in the family feel needed. It’s nice to feel needed — to know that what you bring to the table matters and helps make life easier for everyone. Sure, kids (and adults) may still grumble from time to time. But they will also be more confident, more self-assured and more prepared for life. And, as a bonus, they will be much more welcome as guests and partners.

So, as this new year starts on its way, maybe take a moment to see how the kids in your life can take on some new tasks. Who knows? Maybe they’ll thank you for it later.

For more parenting tips, check out my book, “The Handbook for Life With Little Ones: Information, ideas and tips for birth to age five,” on Amazon.