Kids need heroes.  They need role models.

And our culture has no shortage of role models.  I don’t think there’s an application to fill out or an interview process to become some kid’s role model.  There’s no certificate.  You just become one.

The problem with that system is that all kinds of people are running around, being role models, who have absolutely no business being looked up to by young children.

Simple question today: who is your kid’s hero?  You probably won’t like the answer.

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The journey into parenting continues, and today we’re discussing a topic near and dear to me: education.  And it’s fitting, since there’s no school today.

I have a passion for teaching children and education’s power to change lives.  The problem is that education is America is failing.  Our kids are still kind of stupid when they graduate.

So it can be a daunting task for parents to decide (if they have a choice) where to send the kids to school.   To a public school, where they might lose their souls?  To private school, where you can break the bank?  Or to homeschool, where children will be socially handicapped forever?  Can a child thrive in any school environment if the parents don’t have any other options?

I got a few people who know a thing or two about education to help me out.  Turns out, maybe the choices aren’t all that grim.

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If there’s one thing everyone likes, it’s a good story.

And if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s what is typically marketed to children as “literature” or “entertainment.”

Children’s literature and television are, for the most part, abysmal.  The average children’s cartoon is an assault to the senses composed of cheap animation, lousy voice acting, asinine writing and Elmo.  Most children’s books don’t fare any better.  To most people, the children’s market is an excuse to insult the customer with shoddy work.  Why?  Because kids “don’t know any better.”

I detest this, because kids deserve better.  I love authors who care enough to put love into something, even if it’s just for kids.  Put quality in front of kids, and they learn to recognize and appreciate it.  And working in a school and tutoring kids, I’ve always kept an eye out for the best books that should be on every kids’ bookshelf.

I’ve got my picks here (complete with handy Amazon links.)  Read through and tell me what else my future kids just have to read!

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Today, I’m continuing my odyssey into parenting, and today, we’re exploring a very special kind of Mom and Dad.

Everyone knows the term “helicopter parent.”

Those are the Mommies and Daddies that hover around the baby birdies constantly.  They have a reputation for being…overprotective, to put it mildly.  They were first noticed by teachers several years ago, and their pervasive habit of making teachers’ jobs miserable with constant phone calls and conferences.  But people thought they would grow out of it when the kids turned 18 and went to college.

They didn’t.  The hovering parents followed their kids to college, calling up professors, making demands, and generally being a huge pain.  But it was okay, because everyone thought the parents would grow out of it when their kids graduated college and got jobs.

They didn’t.

Grab your blankies and read on.  Tell me if you think it’s time the helicopter parents finally grew up.

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What’s up everyone?

I’m really excited because today, I’m kicking off a new blog series.  Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be featuring all kinds of topics about parenting.  Ironic, I know, since I am not a parent.  But I’m not alone.  I’ve enlisted the help of all kinds of people who know more about wiping butts and kissing infectious boo-boos than I do.

Some of us had great parents, others left something to be desired.  So I’m kicking things off with an easy, not at all impossible to answer question: what makes “good” and “bad” parenting?

I received all kinds of answers.  See what you think.  And tell me just what you think makes a lousy or amazing parent.

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Have you ever been to jail?

I have not.  My impression is that it is not a fun place to be.

You’ve probably caught wind of the firestorm that started brewing this week.  Suddenly, it’s become apparent that under the President’s healthcare overhaul, every healthcare facility will have to provide contraceptive and abortion-inducing medications.  This of course, is seen as directly affecting Catholics, who have traditionally taught against artificial contraception.

I don’t think Christians have ever been in a position to go to jail for their beliefs in America, at least not in our lifetimes.  But a lot of Catholic bishops are saying they will go to jail rather than comply.

There have been a few people beating the drums for a long time, alerting us to the impending government interference on our religious liberty.  We usually call them “right wing nuts” or “Glenn Beck.”  And I have to say, I haven’t believed them.  But this sure looks eerie.

My question to all of you Catholics, Evangelicals, Democrats, Republicans, whatever you are: we’ve talked a pretty big game as long as we’ve had the freedom to do so.  Are you ready to put your money where your mouth is?

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