Working Class Parenting: Motivation, Education and Inspiration For Parents

A recent post by Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews brings up an interesting thought on “ Do Rich and Poor Parenting Styles Matter " and frankly asks the question WorkingClassParenting.com is trying to answer. Please read this thought provoking column and ensuing Working Class Parenting's thoughts.

So with Thanksgiving 2012 fading in the rear view mirror families need to turn their fiance attention back to the road before they get T-boned by the expenses of Christmas. Here are 5 great tips from Mary Hunt founder of the website  Debt Proof Living.com , with my comment after each tip. 1- Shape your attitude- Your budget is your budget even at Christmas. Before heading into the mall, make sure you take your emotions out of your wallet. 2-Use Cash- Speaking of your wallet, the green stuff behind the cards, is called cash. Use that when you can, and when it's gone no matter who is left on your list, you are done that day. Leave the mall, and don't pass the pretzel place, the smell is too tempting. 3- Give gifts from your kitchen or garden - I love to eat but I can't cook it or grow it. If you can do either well, that's a gift. Plate it, put a bow on it, a tasty Christmas gift, done. 4- Give family gifts, rather than individual ones - If you have the family fr...

No doubt parenting is a dynamic experience. One day they love Cheerios, so you go out and special order the biggest box, only to arrive at home with a child that has changed their mind. You are not so much upset that they changed their mind, more than you are of what to do with a 30 lb bag of Cheerios. Or maybe they are fighting you tooth and nail to go to bed for 45 minutes, so you relent and let them stay up, only for them to fall asleep on the couch within 5 minutes. I’m sure we all have our share of stories and frustrations. However, I must admit that nothing can take the place of those mornings when they snuggle into bed with you, or they do something new for the first time, or make you that one abstract “I love you daddy” card or.... you get my drift. It's critical that we do not let the stress of the outside find its way into our homes. Purpose in your mind every morning as you're leaving for work, that “today is a good day to have a good day”. And while in rush...

Guest post written by Jomary Schulz, 3 rd  grade public school teacher Fostering the Love of Reading is a 5 part series posted on Mondays, it began on November 5, 2012. Part 4 - School-age (Kindergarten - 5th grade)   It may seem that as children get older, fostering the love of reading in them gets more difficult. As the pressures of the classroom become more evident, children seem to only consume themselves with books that are required or chosen for them by a teacher. As a classroom teacher I know firsthand that there is a very important balance we must be able to keep with students if we want them to continue loving books. A love for reading can be easily suppressed with too many Reading for points programs, required leveled reading books, and/or teacher selected books for independent reading. It is our job as parents to continue to encourage a child to read for enjoyment as much as possible. Children need to know that it's not about what reading level they're on,...

As we prepare for the big family day tomorrow and then watch as our loved ones become shopping warriors ready to do battle in the stores as soon as the last turkey leg hits the table... Lets take a moment To remember the simple Financial Lessons of Thanksgiving before the shopping madness begins. These lessons are from  Dedrick Muhammad  senior director of the NAACP economic programs 1- The Joys Of A Home-Cooked Meal Cooking a big meal at home is cheaper, healthier and helps families spend quality time together 2-The Best Things In Life Are Free (Or Inexpensive) Thanksgiving Reminds us that expensive brands and gadgets are no replacement for time with family and friends. 3-Giving Is Its Own Reward The Holiday Seasons is a great time to let your priorities and values show through the spirit of giving to your favorite charities and other community organizations. 4-Celebrate Your True Wealth A good relationship with friends and family is the most important asset...

Love & Discipline Regardless of their age, children crave love, acceptance and approval. Praise from a significant other in their lives is important. Give them plenty of praise, warmth and physical signs of affection and your certain to have a confident child. Look for good behaviors you want to strengthen, and then say “very good” to your children in a variety of ways. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27 Here are some suggestions: