I was the last class in my high school to have to wear dresses every day. I don't remember ever minding wearing nice outfits. In fact, I remember instead enjoying getting all decked out and matching all my outfits with the perfect accessories.
When I went off to college in the late sixties and early seventies, I was just as happy to wear the uniform of the day--jeans and tee shirts or peasant blouses, but we still knew to dress up for work or social gatherings.
Today, even jeans and tee shirts are not casual enough for kids. They want to wear jeans with holes or pants that hang down below their rears. I actually had to send a kid to the office because the holes in her pants were big enough for storing small animals.
Now, normally I don't look very closely at what my students wear, but I do know that when the school outlawed the above, their behavior changed. When they stopped looking like trash, they stopped acting like it.
What would happen if there wasn't a school dress code? Well I shudder to think about it. Even with one, the girls try hard to wear shirts that expose all their charms--too tight and too low, and dresses that just are below their rears, but most of the faculty is vigilant, even if the parents must be wearing blinders in the morning before their progeny walks out the door to go to school--sometimes still in their pajamas!
What happened to encouraging one's child to look their best, to take pride in their appearance, to make a positive statement with the care they take? Why don't parents teach their children that people make their first judgement about them based on the way they look?
Pierced faces, neon hair, makeup on some that would make any horror show proud, and tatoos walk down the hall toward me every day, and I fear how much worse it can get.
Do all the studentslook like that? Absoutely not. The bright, well-behaved and nicely mannered students also dress appropriately. See the correlation? There is one, without question, and the connection is strong.
Parents, you're shelling out the money for their wardrobes, be courageous. Tell them how to dress; encourage them to take pride in their appearance, and to stand out not because they look weird, but because they look like they care.
Give them the gift of high expectations in all things, and watch out for the positive feedback and increased success.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Dealin' with the Pressure
I just had my blood pressure taken and as normal it was very low. In fact, the nurse took it again because she thought the reading was wrong. The older we get, the more we need to monitor our pressure. It is one of the first indicators that there is a problem.
While genetics is a factor associated with high blood pressure (also called hypertension), smoking, alcohol consumption (more than 3-4 ounces of 80-proof per day), caffeine (5 cups per day), obesity, oral contraceptives, a high-salt diet, and stress are major contributors to a problem that nearly one-in-three Americans have.
Referred to as the “silent killer” because there are no symptoms at disease on-set, many go for years without knowing they have hypertension. When left uncontrolled, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, and heart or kidney failure.
The best way to know if you have hypertension is have your physician get an accurate measurement of systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). Normal blood pressure (the force of blood against the artery walls) is less than 120mmHg systolic and less than 80mmHg diastolic.
Because there is no cure for hypertension, medication and life style changes are crucial for keeping blood pressure in normal range. Stop smoking (as it also leaches calcium—another contributor to hypertension), minimize caffeine, alcohol and salt consumption, and increase exercise. The American Heart Association recommends 30-60 minutes a day to reduce stress and lose weight that causes heart strain. As little as a 10-pound loss can be beneficial.
For additional information, contact The American Society of Hypertension at 212-696-9099 or visit www.ash-us.org. Call the American Heart Association at 800-242-8721 (www.americanheart.org) to order its free packet “Understanding and Controlling High Blood Pressure” that includes “Shaking Your Salt Habit”, a guideline for healthy cooking and flavorful recipes that replace salt with other spices.
Follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Rich in fiber, it contains more electrolytes, potassium, calcium and magnesium than the average diet. Visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash to order one free copy of the diet. Be sure to consult your physician, however, before beginning any new diet or exercise program.
While genetics is a factor associated with high blood pressure (also called hypertension), smoking, alcohol consumption (more than 3-4 ounces of 80-proof per day), caffeine (5 cups per day), obesity, oral contraceptives, a high-salt diet, and stress are major contributors to a problem that nearly one-in-three Americans have.
Referred to as the “silent killer” because there are no symptoms at disease on-set, many go for years without knowing they have hypertension. When left uncontrolled, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, and heart or kidney failure.
The best way to know if you have hypertension is have your physician get an accurate measurement of systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). Normal blood pressure (the force of blood against the artery walls) is less than 120mmHg systolic and less than 80mmHg diastolic.
Because there is no cure for hypertension, medication and life style changes are crucial for keeping blood pressure in normal range. Stop smoking (as it also leaches calcium—another contributor to hypertension), minimize caffeine, alcohol and salt consumption, and increase exercise. The American Heart Association recommends 30-60 minutes a day to reduce stress and lose weight that causes heart strain. As little as a 10-pound loss can be beneficial.
For additional information, contact The American Society of Hypertension at 212-696-9099 or visit www.ash-us.org. Call the American Heart Association at 800-242-8721 (www.americanheart.org) to order its free packet “Understanding and Controlling High Blood Pressure” that includes “Shaking Your Salt Habit”, a guideline for healthy cooking and flavorful recipes that replace salt with other spices.
Follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Rich in fiber, it contains more electrolytes, potassium, calcium and magnesium than the average diet. Visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash to order one free copy of the diet. Be sure to consult your physician, however, before beginning any new diet or exercise program.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Ensuring a Safe Visit
My daughter and her family will be home to visit. Sweet Lily, my 19 month old granddaughter, will be in the house, and I need to get ready.
Besides stocking up on all their favorite foods and new toys for her, I need to babyproof, something I haven't done for a while, so I thought I would share my research and a column I wrote to one of my regular readers who lives by a lake. My pool is a concern, so I included water safety.
"Dear Happy Grandma:
For young children, there’s nothing more exciting than a visit with grandparents. Times of pampering and indulgence, novelty and undivided attention, these moments are often the sweetest remembrances of childhood.
To ensure that all goes well, it’s critical to take precautions, particularly by water—tubs, pools and lakes. Don’t ever leave children unattended. If you must go, even for a moment, so should they. Insist that children always wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests not floaties, particularly on boats or along the shoreline where they could be washed away. Always keep rescue equipment (i.e. life preserver or shepherd’s hook) and a telephone near.
Tender skin must be protected in doors and out. In cold weather, dress children in hats (to keep in body heat) and gloves or mittens. Children have less fat to keep them warm. We need to keep them from getting chilled. Put socks on babies in airconditioned rooms and do not leave them uncovered when sleeping. Their temperatures drop at rest.
In hot weather, slather children in sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF several times a day, even when it’s cloudy. Carry a bottle in the car for unexpected stops. Outfit them in brimmed hats and sunglasses. They’ll protect, and ones bought by you will become special souvenirs.
If you take children to a playground, don’t let them wear anything with drawstrings (scarves, necklaces, belts or backpacks), and avoid straps, like on a helmet. Choose an age appropriate playground with soft surfaces like wood chips and shredded rubber, preventing falls on concrete, asphalt and even packed dirt.
Be sure crib railings and shades are in compliance with safety rules to prevent strangulation. You should stop using all Roman shades with inner cords, all roll-up blinds, and all roller blinds that do not have a tension device. You can contact the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4636 anytime for free repair kits or visit www.windowcoverings.org for more information.
Have children wear protective equipment (wrist guards, knee and elbow pads) when skating or riding a bicycle. Helmets reduce risk of head injury by 85% and are required by law.
Lock-up alcohol, medicine, household cleaning and garden chemicals, matches, lighters, candles and all fire arms. Keep knives, scissors and hot plates out of reach. Put plug guards into sockets, and never leave fires and space heaters unattended.
Move breakables. If you care about something not being damaged, put it out of reach. You don't risk losing it, and you don't risk your grandchild touching broken glass or feeling bad.
Keep a well-stocked, first aid kit and a fire extinguisher handy. Visit www.safekids.org for more tips."
Then have a ball. I can't wait!
Besides stocking up on all their favorite foods and new toys for her, I need to babyproof, something I haven't done for a while, so I thought I would share my research and a column I wrote to one of my regular readers who lives by a lake. My pool is a concern, so I included water safety.
"Dear Happy Grandma:
For young children, there’s nothing more exciting than a visit with grandparents. Times of pampering and indulgence, novelty and undivided attention, these moments are often the sweetest remembrances of childhood.
To ensure that all goes well, it’s critical to take precautions, particularly by water—tubs, pools and lakes. Don’t ever leave children unattended. If you must go, even for a moment, so should they. Insist that children always wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests not floaties, particularly on boats or along the shoreline where they could be washed away. Always keep rescue equipment (i.e. life preserver or shepherd’s hook) and a telephone near.
Tender skin must be protected in doors and out. In cold weather, dress children in hats (to keep in body heat) and gloves or mittens. Children have less fat to keep them warm. We need to keep them from getting chilled. Put socks on babies in airconditioned rooms and do not leave them uncovered when sleeping. Their temperatures drop at rest.
In hot weather, slather children in sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF several times a day, even when it’s cloudy. Carry a bottle in the car for unexpected stops. Outfit them in brimmed hats and sunglasses. They’ll protect, and ones bought by you will become special souvenirs.
If you take children to a playground, don’t let them wear anything with drawstrings (scarves, necklaces, belts or backpacks), and avoid straps, like on a helmet. Choose an age appropriate playground with soft surfaces like wood chips and shredded rubber, preventing falls on concrete, asphalt and even packed dirt.
Be sure crib railings and shades are in compliance with safety rules to prevent strangulation. You should stop using all Roman shades with inner cords, all roll-up blinds, and all roller blinds that do not have a tension device. You can contact the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4636 anytime for free repair kits or visit www.windowcoverings.org for more information.
Have children wear protective equipment (wrist guards, knee and elbow pads) when skating or riding a bicycle. Helmets reduce risk of head injury by 85% and are required by law.
Lock-up alcohol, medicine, household cleaning and garden chemicals, matches, lighters, candles and all fire arms. Keep knives, scissors and hot plates out of reach. Put plug guards into sockets, and never leave fires and space heaters unattended.
Move breakables. If you care about something not being damaged, put it out of reach. You don't risk losing it, and you don't risk your grandchild touching broken glass or feeling bad.
Keep a well-stocked, first aid kit and a fire extinguisher handy. Visit www.safekids.org for more tips."
Then have a ball. I can't wait!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A Clean Slate
The new year brings with it the promise of fresh beginnings and the resolve to do better--getting healthy, spending money more wisely, and achieving loftier goals.
I want to add something else to that list. It is creating and restoring relationships.
As I've grown older, I've found making new friends and keeping old friends is more difficult. Some of my very best friends now live all over the country, and it's tough to share the nitty-gritty of my life with someone I speak with on occasion now rather than regularly.
Unlike generations before when extended family members lived around the corner, and neighbors knew each other well, and your best friend was one for life, this generation is on the move. The legacy of our more mobile society has been the separation of family members and dear friends. I don't know about you, but I think it's a great loss.
What to do? Well, we can't stop people from taking better jobs elsewhere, or from retiring to better climates, but we can keep putting ourselves out there in an effort to meet new people, and we can cherish the relationships we have.
Too often we let a comment that has felt hurtful (even if it was not intended to be) or even the smallest slight damage a good relationship. Life is truly too short. We need to get over it and do what we can to preserve not destroy.
And we need to get out there to meet new people. Though it's easier to stay home and complain about too much quiet, it's not good for us. Take a class, join a group, and ensure you meet with your friends on a regular basis.
In addition to individual friends whom I value greatly, I am involved in a church life group, a card group, a dinner group, and a book club that all gather regularly. All the different members of these groups, who have been meeting for years, are wonderful--bright, generous and fun, and the groups all meet different needs.
I share my life space with the people in my card and life groups, and they are people I can call in a pinch. My dinner group dedicates itself to cultural betterment and plain old fun, and my book group challenges my intellect. I feel so grateful for all of them.
Friends add the layers to our life that we must have, particularly as our children grow up, move out and begin their own lives. They offer understanding, empathy and the comfort that comes from being with others who are facing the same challenges.
Pick up the phone and either mend bridges or polish tarnished
relationships. Don't let an important friendship go. They are too precious.
May your New Year be filled with the blessing of many good friends.
I want to add something else to that list. It is creating and restoring relationships.
As I've grown older, I've found making new friends and keeping old friends is more difficult. Some of my very best friends now live all over the country, and it's tough to share the nitty-gritty of my life with someone I speak with on occasion now rather than regularly.
Unlike generations before when extended family members lived around the corner, and neighbors knew each other well, and your best friend was one for life, this generation is on the move. The legacy of our more mobile society has been the separation of family members and dear friends. I don't know about you, but I think it's a great loss.
What to do? Well, we can't stop people from taking better jobs elsewhere, or from retiring to better climates, but we can keep putting ourselves out there in an effort to meet new people, and we can cherish the relationships we have.
Too often we let a comment that has felt hurtful (even if it was not intended to be) or even the smallest slight damage a good relationship. Life is truly too short. We need to get over it and do what we can to preserve not destroy.
And we need to get out there to meet new people. Though it's easier to stay home and complain about too much quiet, it's not good for us. Take a class, join a group, and ensure you meet with your friends on a regular basis.
In addition to individual friends whom I value greatly, I am involved in a church life group, a card group, a dinner group, and a book club that all gather regularly. All the different members of these groups, who have been meeting for years, are wonderful--bright, generous and fun, and the groups all meet different needs.
I share my life space with the people in my card and life groups, and they are people I can call in a pinch. My dinner group dedicates itself to cultural betterment and plain old fun, and my book group challenges my intellect. I feel so grateful for all of them.
Friends add the layers to our life that we must have, particularly as our children grow up, move out and begin their own lives. They offer understanding, empathy and the comfort that comes from being with others who are facing the same challenges.
Pick up the phone and either mend bridges or polish tarnished
relationships. Don't let an important friendship go. They are too precious.
May your New Year be filled with the blessing of many good friends.
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