Parent Panther Press

Next week will be an extremely busy time at GRP, and as a result, we will not be having visitors during lunch. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season! Looking forward to seeing you all in 2025.

You’re probably not aware that I raised four sons. They are all young men now, but you can

imagine how busy life was during their formative years. It’s true that you miss all the craziness of raising children when they are grown. You might be surprised to learn that one of the times that I miss the most is our time in the car. Over the years, our topics ranged from friendship issues, spiritual discussions, career decisions, and even the birds and the bees. A lot of effective parenting can happen in these moments.

We all spend so much time in the car, going to school, practice, concerts, grocery shopping, etc.

But I discovered just how special this time can be with my children and I want to encourage you to

embrace this time. When I talk to children about what they want most, it usually revolves around time and attention from mom, dad, or the significant adults in their life. Most of our students who struggle with behavior issues, are often seeking adult attention, but they have learned to go about it the wrong way. So much of our time and energy today is consumed by technology, and as helpful as it can be, it can’t replace the love, wisdom, and attention that a caring parental figure provides. All these reasons support why we must be intentional and find those pockets of time for our children.

Being in a vehicle provides a unique dynamic. Because we are typically not facing each other, it

helps children open up and ask questions or give answers that they might feel intimidated about when we are looking face to face. We also have less things vying for our attention, and we can’t get too far from each other. It is a much less threatening space if we allow it to be.

Here are a few tips to help foster a positive time in the car.

1. Limit technology to long trips. (This means you too mom and dad)

2. Take a break from the music.

3. Save work for when the kids aren’t in the car.

4. Instead of asking “how was your day?”, ask questions about specific things. (Who did you

play with today? Tell me something fun you did today. What was something new you learned

today.)

5. Try not to start the conversation with questions about behavior.

6. Listen to hear and not to respond. Make this time about your child and not about you.

7. Be conscious of the other conversations you have in the car. (spouse, phone calls, etc.) Kids

learn so much from watching how others do things. They are always watching and listening.

8. If you have multiple children in the car, use a specific item to designate whose turn it is to

talk.

9. Be ok with quiet and boredom. Both elements foster creative ideas and conversation.

10. It may take a little practice, but don’t get discouraged. Just like we teach our children.

The openness of the relationship you foster now will determine the openness of your relationship

with your child when they are in middle through high school, and beyond.

Wishing you many GREAT Car Conversations Down the Road! Mrs. Jones

• December 14 - PTA - Donuts with Santa - Wristbands will be sent home to registered families
• December 17/18/19 - Class Parties
• December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break
• Jan 6 - 29 - VALLSS Testing
• January 8 - 8:15 - 1st Grade - Naglierei Testing
• January 9 - 9:15 - 1st Grade SPED - Naglierei Testing
• January 10- 8:15 - 1st Grade Make-Up - Naglierei Testing
• Jan 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - School Closed
• January 21 - Feb 7 - 2nd Grade Math Quarterly Assessment
• January 24- End of Grading Period
• January 24 - STEAM Day
• January 27 - Teacher Workday / Schools Closed
• January 28 - Teacher Workday / Schools Closed
• February 5 - Report Cards available in Parent Vue