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June 2014
Building Bright Futures
Six Tutoring Tips to Win With Homework
Back-to-School Shopping for a College Dorm
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Knowing & Doing Better
School Backpacks: Dangerous for Kids?
Skateboarding for Fun and Fitness
How Back to School Affects Children
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Featured Article
Brad Pitt - Redefining the All-American Family
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Sharing Global Perspectives
Public and Charter Schools ¬ The Great
Education Debate
Save Gas by Creating a Carpool That Works
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Developing Relationships
Pack Lunch Boxes to Build a Healthy and
Happy Family
Host a Back-to-School Party for Your Kids
Sports Injury Protection for Children
Going Back to School: Increase Your Value,
Multiply Your Options
5 Factors You Must Consider When You’re
Purchasing Luggage
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Editor’s Letter
As we start yet another school year and over 49 million
k-12th grade students return to classes, as a country
we are still faced with many questions regarding how
to best educate all students in an effective and equitable
manner. Unfortunately education for nearly half
of America’s students does not always equate to the
same outcomes and opportunities as their counterparts.
For too many reasons to list, which include, but are not
limited to, everything from socio-economics, politics,
race, gender, and class the quest for a quality education
remains a quest rather than an experience.
And yet, our education system is perhaps the single
most predictable variable in improving the overall quality
of any individual’s life. It is most likely only through
education that a person is able to escape poverty, abuse,
neglect, and oppression. No matter what your race,
background, or status, education has proven itself as
the most consistent equalizer of all and for all.
As society places greater demands on what we feel
is necessary to educate – our children requiring new
schools, better trained teachers, and higher standards
– I can’t help but wonder if we have forgotten the most
important component of a child’s educational success:
parental involvement. If we take a moment and reflect
on some of the most accomplished Americans who
were educated in US schools, we will find they did not
attend school in the newest buildings, have the highest
speed Wi-Fi, or Ph.D. degreed teachers. What you will
find is they had parents, or a parent, who, although they
themselves may have been under-educated, believed in
and stressed the value of having an education.
Research on students’ educational success strongly
suggests the most important factor in a child’s academic
success is their parent. This is something we should all
place at the forefront of our back to school shopping
list as we are purchasing backpacks, new clothes, and
other school supplies.
To quote Bill Cosby, “we are now so busy trying to
give our children everything we didn’t have, we have
forgetting to give them what we did have.” As a parent
and dad, make sure the first and last face your child and
their teachers see each school day, is yours.
Welcome to the world of Modern Dad Magazine!
Michael C. Ross, MPPM, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Publisher and Editor in Chief
Modern Dad Magazine
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The Modern Dad Magazine Team
Publisher and Editor in Chief
Michael C. Ross, MPPM, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Managing Editor
Jake Harris, M.Ed.
Vice-President of Marketing
and Advertising
Raul Hiteshew
Creative Director
Lautaro Cabrera
Digital Editions and
Online Director
Johnathan David Randall Ross
Communications Director
Anthony Fleming
Special Projects Director
Tamara Knight-Fleming
Vice-President of Production
and Circulation
Lewis J. Oliver
Graphic Design Team
Philippe Design Inc.
Photo Director
Ashton Payne
Research Director
Sonja Harrington, Ph.D.
General Counsel
George G. Bulls II, Esq.
Editorial Team
Advisory Board
Health & Wellness Editor
Jayne Middlebrooks, MD,
Cardiologist, CMO Forty
Million Beats and Former CMO
American Chemistry Council,
Washington, DC
Business & Global
Affairs Editor
Dorothy Harrell, JD,
Beloit, WI
Technology Editor
Gus Weiss IV, Delivery Manager
of Optimization Solutions,
Aon Hewitt, Atlanta, GA
Travel & Active Living Editor
T. J. Exford, Ph.D., Exercise
Science, Alabama State
University, Montgomery, AL
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Chay Hartsfield-Watkins,
Professional Sales,
Agent-Intern State Farm,
Birmingham, AL
Education Editor
Dr. Gwendolyn
Harris-Middlebrooks,
Professor Emeritus, Spelman
College, Atlanta, GA
Burt Mabra, District Manager,
Payless Shoe Source,
Charlotte, NC
Shirley C. Brown, President
and CEO, DP Associates, Inc.,
Huntsville, AL
Matt Scott, Principal, Creekside
Elementary, Madison, AL
Dr. Elizabeth “Liza” K. Wilson,
Senior Associate Dean,
University of Alabama,
Tuscaloosa, AL
If you would like to contribute as a writer
or member of the Modern Dad Magazine
Team, please send an email to
info@moderndadmagazine.com
Milton King, United
Methodist Pastor, Personal
Development Mentor, Writer,
Arlington, VA
Tenó Harrison Sigmon,
Professional Educator and
Academic Administrator,
Houston, TX
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Hitting The Books
Six Tutoring Tips to
Win with Homework
Strategies for students to use to successfully
complete homework regularly and
efficiently. These strategies help improve
grades and encourage good work habits.
As a parent, helping your student get better grades is a
powerful desire, but not always one that you have the time
or tools to achieve. Don’t worry! There are some very basic,
easy to implement strategies that you can use to make
better grades and better work habits a reality.
1. CHOOSE THE SAME TIME TO DO HOMEWORK EVERY DAY
Structure and Regularity is extremely important. Just as
having meals at specific times of day is good for you, making
homework part of an organized and regular routine is a
healthy and necessary step in helping the student realize
their potential. Scheduling school work time, like all life
skills, needs to be taught and structured by the parent in
the beginning. Ideally, you want to make sure you have
the same time booked every day. After a number of weeks,
say 5, this should become habit-forming, and you should
have to monitor it less. If you are like many parents and
have extra-curricular activities scheduled (such as soccer,
swimming, karate, music lessons, etc.), you may not be able
to have the same time daily. This is not a setback – it just
requires a little more planning and attention on the part
of the parent and can take longer to make this habit stick.
Your student will rely on you for this help, so hang in there!
2. PREVENT DISTRACTIONS
It is extremely important that you are providing an atmosphere
that is good for concentration and completing work.
This means: NO noise, NO Television to be heard, NO
Telephone or cell phone interruptions, and NO brothers
and sisters running around. This is not something the
student can control after they sit down, so the onus is on
YOU, the parent, to make sure the studying environment
is a peaceful one that encourages focus.
3. PROVIDE THE RIGHT TOOLS
If you’ve gotten this far, then you are doing a great job,
but be sure that you are making the physical part of the
work environment one that also is good for working in.
The chair and desk/table need to be at a good height and
comfortable enough to work at for a stretch of time. Make
sure you have pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers –
whatever is needed to do the work. You don’t want to give
your student the excuse that they don’t have the right
tool for the job. A child that doesn’t want to do work can
be extremely crafty!
4. ENCOURAGE AND CONGRATULATE QUESTIONS AT
HOME AND AT SCHOOL
Many students feel embarrassed to admit they have a
problem or just don’t understand. This can become a really
crippling problem if it isn’t caught early on, so be sure to
congratulate the student for being so open about challenges
and stumbling blocks. You won’t always be able to be there
for the student, so setting up this kind of fearless attitude
towards homework challenges is a really excellent way to
stimulate questions at school and to encourage curiosity
as a good thing in life. Your student and school teacher will
be thankful! A two-way work journal will be very helpful.
Use it to record homework and assignments, but also to
note questions (at home or at school) about the work that
are points to check with your tutor or teacher.
5. THERE IS ALWAYS HOMEWORK
A teacher does not have to assign work for there to be
homework. Take advantage early on to get your child to
bring their books and school materials home each day. Going
over them, reading them aloud, and copying out certain
parts over again are all ways to reinforce the learning going
on at school. Check with your tutor or teacher for other
great ways to review work on nights where there are no
assignments. The student’s brain is very good at remembering,
especially when trained by reviewing. Learning to
ride a bike, for instance, is done by almost daily effort. Once
you have it though, it is a skill that is remembered for life.
6. REWARD WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENT!
These days, there are two ways that good academic effort
are mostly recognized by parents. One is to buy a kid ‘stuff’
– maybe a video game or a cellphone. The other is to not
acknowledge at all. Neither of these is really ideal for stimulating
further good academic work. Try a hug and a kiss
and a real tangible moment as a family to really vocalize
how proud you are of the effort that your student is putting
in to increase their success. This kind of effort on your part
as a parent will sow deep seeds of self-respect and selfworth
as well as reinforcing the perception that successful
results in academics are important and meaningful. If
you feel that you do have to provide a gift, consider a nice
book that you can inscribe with words of encouragement
and love that will always be available to your student for
reference. Here again, you will have made a special effort
that will leave an impression with your student.
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Common Cent$
Back-to-School Shopping
for a College Dorm
It’s back to school shopping time, and for college students it can be stressful. Here’s a list of top
items college kids need when heading back to school this fall.
For any college student summer usually consists of college
programs, jobs, internships, and summer classes. In the end,
where did the summer go? On top of that, when you’re a
college student your back-to-school shopping consists of
more than just binders, paper, and pens. That’s why gift cards
and online shopping can be very handy in planning for college.
College students have to plan for refrigerators, bedding,
TVs, computers, desks, and more depending on the living
situation. That means college students have to start backto-school
shopping much earlier. Some of the top items
on a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year college student’s back-to-school
list are usually things like a laptop and clothes.
On top of all the gear college students need for school,
we can’t forget they are on a limited budget, and that’s
where eBillme steps in. By shopping online and ordering
through eBillme, students will find just what they need,
and they’ll save themselves and mom & dad a lot of money.
Here are just a few of our top merchants where college
students can find all their back-to-school gear. If you’re
looking to upgrade your laptop or switch from a desktop
to a laptop, check out these eBillme merchants:
• Abt Electronics
• Sears.com
• Kmart.com
• AJ Madison
• TigerDirect.com Gift Cards
• Dell Gift Card
• HP Direct e-Gift Cards
Plus, make sure you stock up on printer ink. It can get
expensive, and you’ll need it for all the papers you’ll be
writing for class. To get amazing prices on printer ink check
out Clickinks.com; for all the latest in back-to-school
fashion, shop around at
• Zappos.com
• Gap eGift Cards
• JCPenney e-Gift Card
• Haggar Online Gift Certificate
• Piperlime eGift Cards
• Old Navy eGift Card
• Fashion Bug Gift Card
And here are a few more items that will help deck out any
dorm room or apartment
• Dry Erase Peel & Stick Wall Decals
• Bean Bag Chairs
• Mini Refrigerators
• Comforter Sets
• Desk Lamps
Get awesome life-sized wall decals of your favorite
athlete or create your own at Fathead.com! You’ll be the
envy of your entire dorm hall! Plus, these decals are peeland-stick
and won’t leave residue or take paint off the
wall, so it’s safe for on-campus housing.
So enjoy your back to college shopping this summer.
Remember, when you shop online and pay using eBillme,
you’ll save money plus earn cash back rewards on every
purchase! Note: Keep an eye out on the eBillme website
for their 2x Cash Back events where you will earn double
the cash back amount!
Article by Charissa
Cowart
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Doctor’s Note
School Backpacks:
Dangerous for Kids?
Back and neck pain in school-aged children is most
frequently caused by improper backpack use...Selecting
and safely wearing the right backpack only requires
following a few simple steps.
Every fall millions of American children and teenagers
return to school. And like clockwork, hundreds
of articles and news stories expounding the potential
dangers of kids backpacks return to virtually every
newspaper, television station and news website.
Are backpacks really hurting our kids? Should parents
lie awake at night concerned the backpack they just
bought Junior will lead to irreversible spinal damage?
Or could it be the media is simply falling all over itself
in political correctness while actually inciting us to raise
a bunch of weak, out-of-shape kids unable to carry a
simple set of books on their backs?
Like many heavily discussed topics, the real answer
lies somewhere in the middle. Yes, one backpack may
be better suited than another. There really are proper
ways to carry one to avoid neck aches and back pains.
And just like long division, confidently selecting and
safely wearing the right backpack only requires following
a few simple steps.
How to select your child’s backpack
Price is clearly a factor for many parents. Fortunately
purchasing a safe backpack doesn’t have to break the
bank. Look for these features when you shop for your
child’s backpack:
• Size - select a backpack that fits snugly to the curve
of your child’s back. Try to find a backpack that does
not hang below the waist. A loaded pack should never
fall more than 4 inches below the waistline.
• Shoulder straps - choose a backpack with two
adjustable well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulder
strap anchors should fall 1 to 2 inches below the top
of the shoulder.
• Waist belt - a waist belt can help ensure weight is
carried properly.
• Wheels - if your child’s school allows wheeled backpacks,
heavier loads can be pulled along instead of
carried to offload the weight. Be sure the extended
handle length allows your child to pull the backpack
without excessive bending or twisting.
How to properly load and wear a
school backpack
Studies have shown back and neck pain in school-aged
children is most frequently caused by improper backpack
use. Painful muscle imbalances really can lead
to long term postural defects. But carrying a school
backpack doesn’t need to cause alarm. Follow these
loading and carrying guidelines to eliminate the most
common sources of backpack related pain in children:
• 15% rule - never allow your child to carry more than
15% of his or her weight. For example, a 100 pound
child should never carry more than 15 pounds in the
backpack.
• Heavy items in back - securely pack heavier items to
remain close to your child’s back.
• Keep it clean - remove items not needed for school
that day to minimize weight.
• Wear both shoulder straps - distribute weight
evenly across both shoulders by always wearing both
straps. Adjust straps to allow free movement of the
arms without twisting or bending to the side.
• Use the waist belt - Reduce load on the shoulders
and neck by securely fastening the waist belt.
• Center the pack - wear the backpack centered across
the curve of the mid back. It should not hang below
the waistline.
• Use the wheels - use the wheels if so equipped,
particularly when carrying heavy loads.
Article by
Jesse Cannone
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Active Living
Skateboarding for
Fun and Fitness
Thus, the first commercial skateboard was born. It
wasn’t long before surfboard manufacturers caught on
to this trend. Makaha was the first surfboard company
to create a skateboard. By 1965, the sport had its own
championships as well as a Skateboarder magazine,
which was a publication that was dedicated to the sport.
Reinventing the Skateboard Wheel
In the 1970s, a man by the name of Frank Nasworthy invented
a polyurethane skateboard wheel. The fatter and
softer wheels provided better traction and a smoother
ride, which made the sport more beginner-friendly.
Skateboarding experienced a surge in popularity. As
skateboarders across the country experimented in
empty swimming pools, tricks such as the kicktail, the
invert, and the ollie were developed.
Article by
Michelle
Newbold
So what’s so good about skateboarding? Not only is it
fun, but it’s great for your physical balance and coordination
too. Find out more about skateboarding and
why learning new tricks can boost your confidence and
self-esteem.
In case you didn’t notice, skateboarding is on the
fast track to becoming one of the words hottest sports.
Not only is skateboarding lots of fun, it’s a great way to
stay fit without having to endure boring gym workouts.
Propelling your weight on a skateboard will help enhance
aerobic endurance. Add hills, and you’ll be working even
harder. If you decide to learn some skateboarding tricks,
you’ll be reaping the benefits of plyometric exercise as
well as getting a great leg and core workout. As if that
was not enough, skateboarding improves your balance,
coordination and agility, especially if you practice performing
tricks.
A Brief History of Skateboarding
When you think about it, it seems quite logical that
skateboarding began in California. When the waves
were flat, California surfers needed an alternate hobby
to feed the habit. The first skateboards displayed the
utmost creativity. Roller skate wheels were attached
to wooden boxes or boards. Then, in the 1960s, an LA
surf shop owner arranged a deal with the Chicago Roller
Skate Company. They would supply the wheels, and
the surf store would attach them to wooden boards.
Skateboarding Comes to ESPN
In 1995, skateboarding gained a new form of respect
when it was featured on ESPN’s Extreme Games, which
took place in Rhode Island. In 1997, it was included as a
Crossover event in the Winter X Games. It’s interesting
to know that the gradual respect for the sport seemed
to develop within the same timeline as snowboarding,
which was also regarded as a “rebel” sport. However,
as the “older generation” comes to realize that outdoor
activity is the perfect antidote to drug use, they are
finally respecting these activities as legitimate sports.
Skateboarding Tricks
Today, skateboarding is a popular social activity amongst
teenagers and young adults. In some cases, it’s also a
form of friendly competition. The ability to perform
skateboard tricks is a great way for teenagers to earn
bragging rights amongst their peers. That said, it goes
beyond bragging rights. The enhanced balance and
coordination that comes from performing skateboard
tricks can enhance self-confidence and self esteem.
Feeling confident is great for the ego. Go for it!
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Deeper Understanding
How Back to School
Affects Children
Stress impacts children especially when it comes to the intricate social and intellectual
pressures children encounter at school. How does this manifest? How can you help your
child reduce stress at school and in life?
Back to school time is always stressful, making sure our
children have the right supplies, enough clothes, even a
new classroom and teacher! All of this can contribute to
anxiety surrounding the transition back to class. A poll on
kidshealth.org found that children were just as stressed
about schoolwork as they were about social and appearance
issues. Social pressures are huge components of school for
children, and societal pressures to have the latest fashion
or technology looms over everyday life.
As a parent, having compassion and understanding for
your child is crucial. They may come home from school and
be moody. It’s important to look at the big picture – why
are they talking back, being moody or acting disengaged?
Rather than jumping to conclusions or directly to punishment,
sit down with your child and ask about their
experiences from the day. With older children it may be
harder, but making sure they understand that you know
school is stressful and that you are there to listen, and not
judge, is essential to keeping the line of communication
open between parent and child. Times have significantly
changed and more issues of bullying have begun to spring
up online and off, leaving children at a higher level of
stress than ever before in relation to school relationships.
Incorporating a nurturing touch can also formulate
and keep the bond between you and your child strong.
After a long day of school, it’s as easy as giving your child
a hug or rub their back while you ask about their day.
Using touch is a great way to ease their stress and yours
as well as opening the line of communication. Creating a
window of time to ask about your child’s day may sound
unreasonable, especially if you are a working parent, but
it easily fits in at dinner time each night or even on the
drive home from school.
It is important to make a plan and stick with it. Thriving
on structure, children need to have a nightly ritual of communication
and homework help with a bedtime working
best. A calendar on the refrigerator where all activities are
placed helps the child know what to expect and be involved
in time management.
Getting enough sleep each night will also help diminish
stress, keep them alert and focused at school
and less cranky! Help your child find an activity to ease
stress, whether it’s taking a break and listening to music,
volunteering at an animal shelter or playing an hour of
video games, all of which can help them disconnect and
recharge mentally.
Many children stress about academics, and it’s important
to convey to your children that it is okay to fail and that
you are there to catch them when they do. Unreasonable
expectations set by either the parent or child can have
damaging effects on the child. While pushing them is important,
using understanding and compassion is even more
valuable to their future. Children who aren’t doing well in
school may have other issues going on; they could have
such high anxiety that they have given up on schoolwork,
or they may have a learning exceptionality that makes it
harder for them. Keeping an open mind, sitting down with
them and asking without anger or judgment could make a
world of difference.
Every child wants to be heard, and as a parent it is our
job to listen! This will help ease their stress, create a closer
bond and help ease them into adulthood.
Article by Tina
Allen, LMT, CIIT,
CIMI
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Questioning Yourself
As a world famous athlete accustomed to success in
all its forms, David Beckham is a man who most would
consider as “having it all,” including all the answers to
being the best at everything. Known internationally for
his athletic prowess, good looks, and Adonis physique,
David tipped the karmic scale on all corners by marrying
the famous and beautiful Victoria Adams, formerly Posh of
Spice Girls, and fathering three sons (Brooklyn, Romeo, and
Cruz) and a little princess (Harper). With such a remarkable
life, many may find it easy to believe that David Beckham
struck one hell of a deal with the devil. However, despite
all his success, David admits to having doubts, fears, and
questions about what he considers his most important
role: father to his four children.
An outstanding youth footballer (or soccer player as we
would say it on this side of the pond), David moved from his
family’s home in London to Manchester in 1991, where his
career began with the storied Manchester United Football
Club and beloved manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. As a 16 year
old with loads of talent, “Becks” (as his teammates and
Jake Harris,
M.Ed. & Michael
C. Ross, MPPM,
M.Ed., Ph.D.
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fans refer to him) was taken in by Ferguson, who helped
mold him into the player and man he has become. Beckham
has often referred to his former Man. U. manager as
“somewhat of a surrogate father” whose family “were like
my family” in the early days.
In 1997, after establishing himself as one of Europe’s
premier footballers, David was introduced to Posh, who at
the time was a member of the world’s most popular all-girl
band, the Spice Girls. With his fame no longer limited only
to soccer fans, David emerged as an international megastar.
Fueling the couple’s notoriety was the insatiable degree of
media attention, which David and Victoria help define, over
their whirlwind romance and outrageous celebrity lifestyle.
By 2000, the Beckhams welcomed their first son, Brooklyn.
For many critics, the absurd media attention swirling
around the Beckhams distracted David and hurt his on the
field performance. Despite the enormous amount of media
attention, David’s performance never diminished outside
of a few injuries.
Eventually, in 2003, Becks would leave Man. U. and his
home country of England for stretches in Spain (’03-’07),
the United States (’07-’12), and France (’12-’13) with brief
spells in Italy (’09 and ’10) – all while increasing his now
megastar persona and attempting to raise a family. Other
athletes and celebrities might have continued and never
taken the time to reflect on how their actions impacted
those around them, particularly their family and children,
but not David Beckham. Years of living outside of society’s
norms and being in the spotlight away from his family
appear to have made David more reflective as he openly
admits to making some mistakes when it comes to how he
has managed his professional, celebrity, and family lives.
From an early age David knew things would be different
for him. “’The sacrifices I made to become a professional
athlete, giving up social activity, friends and normal development’
really had an impact on me as a person,” he
said. Being the best at something often requires putting
yourself before those around you, especially when the focus
is on career driven decisions. Becks shared his thoughts
regarding his biggest career decisions candidly admitting
to “feeling selfish when reflecting on my life and feeling
“As a father it was one of my
toughest moments as a dad. It
was selfish, selfish because I
wanted to make the World Cup
team. I would have done anything
to make the team. The
ego side of me on the field was
the reason why I made these
decisions, not what was easy
for my family.”
as though the decisions I have made were selfish.” He
continued:
“I never saw myself as a selfish person, but sitting back
and reflecting on my life, my sacrifices over the years have
probably been selfish ones,” he thoughtfully remarks.
Becks continues, “For instance, I have to block out the fact
that I didn’t see my children everyday while I was playing
for Milan, which was a difficult time for Victoria and my
children. There was one moment when we were at the airport
[saying goodbye] and having my boys literally holding
on to me and not wanting to let go because they missed
me. As a father it was one of my toughest moments as a
dad. It was selfish, selfish because I wanted to make the
World Cup team. I would have done anything to make the
team. The ego side of me on the field was the reason why
I made these decisions, not what was easy for my family.”
Although most of us will never know what it feels like
to compete for a spot on a World Cup team, at some point
we all know what it’s like to put our children or family on
the backburner to meeting a deadline, working long hours,
or having heavy travel demands for our jobs. The truth is
we all face tough decisions, and we should all have some
doubt about the choices we make no matter how significant
our accomplishments. Being reflective and questioning our
decisions and the factors motivating them is hallmark to
success, particularly the David Beckham brand of success.
We all want someone to be proud of us, especially
those close to us, and David Beckham is no different. As
he recently stated, “All I want is to be the best dad, and
I hope that they [my family] are proud of me, that’s all
I want.” Most men and dads can relate to his statement
and, regardless of the mistakes we have made in the past
or the doubts we may have about our abilities as parents,
we’re all chasing the same thing. As Beckham so perfectly
stated, “No matter where you go, the same things matter
to everyone, family and friendship.”
11

World Around us
Public and Charter
Schools ¬ The Great
Education Debate
these educational institutions are afforded the ability to
operate on a level not generally found in the public education
system. This includes at-home courses, flexible class
schedules and intensive studies based in specific interests,
such as the arts or music.
Step 2 – Speak with your area school district in order to
obtain information regarding local charter institutions.
Here, you will be able to find information regarding how
long schools have been in operation, the teacher to student
ratio and general feedback from the community.
Step 3 – Once you have a solid list of schools, hop online to
gather additional information and perspectives to provide
you with a clearer idea of what your student might expect
if they were to attend. Many school websites offer virtual
tours of the facility with staff bios, school history and other
pertinent information.
Article by
Ace Abbey
If you’re unsure of whether your child belongs in a charter
or public school setting, this guide will help you make an
educated decision. Read on for more information.
These days, it seems as though every parent has their
own definition of proper education. In recent years, charter
schools have been growing in popularity, popping up in
areas throughout the country. While many parents are
opting to send their children to these education facilities
in hopes of furthering educational potential, others must
debate the choice between a traditional or charter school,
comparing the benefits and weighing the long-term costs.
In this article, we will offer a few tips to help you make an
educated decision regarding your child’s schooling.
Step 1 – Find out what commonly defines and separates
charter schools from public institutions. Though most
people are fairly familiar with traditional education, many
parents find themselves in the dark when it comes to
charter schooling. As an added consideration, it should
be noted that not all charter schools are necessarily the
same. As they are governed on a more independent basis,
Step 4 – After evaluating your options online, choose a
couple of schools that interest both you and your child. Get
in touch and see if you might be able to schedule a tour.
Some schools even offer prospective students the ability
to “shadow” other students as a way to provide them
with a firsthand look into the daily life of their students.
If your child has friends who attend the school that they
are interested in, this can be a wonderful way to introduce
them to the charter school way of life.
Step 5 – Discuss the available education options with your
child in hopes of finding the best fit for them. Keep in mind
that while a Charter school may offer opportunities and
benefits not found in a traditional setting, your child will
ultimately be the one being educated. What may seem like
an ideal educational setting for you, may ultimately prove
less effective for your student.
Step 6 – Be certain that any charter school that your child
attends uses a certified teaching staff. Though this is rarely
an issue, it’s always a good idea to check.
At the end of the day, every parent wants what’s best
for his or her children. By taking the time to research and
evaluate your options, you are doing your part to ensure
that your child receives the best experience available.
12

Favorite Thing of the Month
Save Gas by Creating
a Carpool That Works
With rising fuel costs, environmental awareness,
and a trend toward urban living, carpooling is
more popular than ever. It can be difficult to get started
carpooling, but, once you get into the swing of things, it’s
easier than your typical daily commute. Here are some
pointers for getting your carpooling idea off the ground.
Get a Group Together
Most people carpool with coworkers, since it’s easier
to coordinate and be on time. Send out an email or ask
around to see if anyone may be interested. If no one in
the office is interested, there are many online websites,
like Craigslist and eRideShare, where you can find potential
carpoolers.
It’s best to find people who live near you, no more
than 10 miles away, but even more important is that
everyone works nearby. Spending too much time picking
up or dropping off can waste gas, waste time, and make
carpooling frustrating and inefficient.
If you don’t know the people in your group beforehand,
make a point to meet before carpooling. Make
sure everyone trusts each other and gets along well.
You want to minimize conflict.
Work Out the Logistics
Work out the rules and make sure everyone agrees
with them before starting to carpool. This cannot be
stressed enough. A few questions to answer: Whose
car will we use? Will it change from day to day? Do
we all pay for gas and car maintenance? How often?
Who gets picked up/dropped off first/last? What is
our contingency plan? Which radio station should we
listen to? No question is too petty or strange. You want
to make sure everyone is absolutely on the same page
before proceeding.
Choose the Right Car
You can carpool in any type of vehicle, though there are
certain considerations to keep in mind. It isn’t wise to
carpool in a coupe, unless it’s only two or three people.
When thinking about space, remember that everyone
will be carrying a purse, briefcase, or other bag. So a
sedan would work for four people, a hatchback for five
people, etc.
Be Courteous
When you start carpooling, do your part to keep things
running smoothly and conflict free. Try to always be on
time, whether you’re picking up or being picked up. If
it’s your car that’s being used, keep it clean and well
maintained. If you’re riding, don’t bring in food, drinks,
or anything else that may make a mess unless explicitly
allowed. Always offer to contribute and pay your way.
People usually require quiet early in the morning and
after work. Be friendly but unobtrusive.
Article by
Ryan Wade
13

Is your Dad a Modern Dad Magazine Dad?
Nominate your Dad as Modern Dad
Magazine’s “Dad of the Month”. Each
month four Dads, one from each geographical
region, will be selected and
profiled in the magazine. Dads who
are profiled will receive a $50 Target
gift card and will also be eligible for
consideration for Modern Dad Magazine’s
“Dad of the Year” competition
and to receive a $500 Target gift card.
Visit www.moderndadmagazine.com
for details.
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Modern Dad Magazine - Representing Every Dad

Cooking with Dad
Pack Lunch Boxes to
Build a Healthy and
Happy Family
As a parent, the main thing which you will be aware
of is the requirement to keep your children healthy.
There’s a lot of information available regarding childhood
obesity. All parents feel an increasing pressure to
make sure that their children are eating a well balanced
and healthy diet. One area where this can be simply
addressed is in packed lunches. It can be easy to put
together some pre-packed snacks; however, this is not
particularly always healthy. The following tips can help
you to make the perfect packed lunches to keep your
children healthy and happy!
Keeping the Little Tummies Filled
It is vital to give your children a lunch which will fill their
tummy and satiate their hunger till dinner. This will
help them to focus on their afternoon school activities.
However, there’s a balance between giving filling foods
and the ones which will make your children feel tired
and sluggish. Instead of the usual sandwiches in a Tiffin
box, you might wish to think about adding a pasta, salad
dish or soup flask as an option. Wraps are a good option
because these can be packed with almost anything, from
meat and vegetables to salad and cheese. This is really a
great way for incorporating healthier foods in the lunch.
Livening the Lunch Boxes
Sometimes it may get a bit boring eating a similar
combination of foods every day. Instead of giving basic
sandwiches, juice boxes and fruit, why not consider
some innovative ways to make the lunchtime a bit more
interesting. An excellent option is to prepare small jelly
pots and drop in some pieces of fresh fruit before it sets.
It is like digging for a treasure! You can change things
also by making some finger food buffets. You can include
chicken strips, cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes, and
a few bread sticks also in the Tiffin box.
Lunch Should Not Break the Bank
Often, parents find the packing of lunch every day to
be expensive; however, this must not be the instance.
There is an abundance of main meals that can work
very well in lunch boxes. For instance, if you prepare a
roasted dinner on Sunday, then the leftovers of meat
may be added to salad for the lunch box on Monday.
Dishes such as sausage rolls or macaroni and cheese
can make excellent lunch time food choices. Simply
freeze the leftovers in small portions, which can be used
all through the week.
Get the basics correct.
Plan it right! Leave out the chips and sweets completely
while you shop. If they are not there in the cupboard,
they cannot make their way into the lunch box. Keeping
your children healthy and fit can be a big challenge,
but there are lots of enjoyable ways for making packed
lunches amazing by including fresh ingredients and
home cooked food, instead of depending on candy and
chips. Use these excellent tips for packing healthy Tiffin
boxes to build a fit, healthy and happy family.
Article by
Jenny Jonson
15

Making “it” Happen
Host a Back-to-School
Party for Your Kids
Summer is over. It’s time to return to
the days of learning, school lunches,
and h-o-m-e-w-o-r-k, yuck! While
parents are excited to get back to
some sense of routine, not all kids
look forward to returning to school,
but they do welcome the idea of
meeting up with long -lost friends
and sharing what they did over the
summer months.
So what better way to kick off
the new school year than with an old
fashioned Back-to-School Party!
There are actually two ways to
go about this: have the party at
home or host the party in the child’s
new classroom.
If you wait until school has started,
you can meet with the new
teacher to receive permission to
plan and host the party in the classroom.
But if you want to save a few
headaches and really give the kids
a chance to get to know each other
and start to form bonds before the
school year begins, you can host the
party in your home.
When hosting a Back-to-School
“At Home” Party, invite last year’s
classmates as well as this year’s
classmates. It will relieve the tension
and awkwardness of being in
a room with complete strangers.
Invitations
On the invitation, go for something
fun and recognizable, like a yellow
school bus or apples. Include
all the important details like time,
date, where to meet, and what is
expected.
For instance, if you are planning
a swimming party, ask the kids to
bring their swimsuits and towels.
If you are planning a barbecue at
the lake, tell them how to find your
group amongst the ground, i.e.
yellow streamers or crepe paper
borders. And if you’re planning on
having them talk about their summer,
ask them to think about what
they did over the summer and come
prepared to share.
Decorations:
You can purchase a Back-to-School
Banner at your local party store or
have your kids color one of their
own. Again, consider the school
theme. Use red apples, a yellow
school bus, a chalkboard, pencils,
paper clips, and notepads.
Food:
Kids love simple things and they
love junk food, so why not combine
the two.
How about Jell-O snacks in the
shape of school supplies? Or a cake
designed to look like a blackboard?
For the cake, consider a rectangular
shape covered in black frosting with
“Welcome Back Class! Teacher’s
Name” in white icing.
Pizza would make a simple addition
to your Back-to-School Party,
but if your kids aren’t into pizza,
consider alternatives like barbecue,
hot dogs, hamburgers, carne asada,
and roasted corn on the cob.
As for drinks, think water and old
fashioned punch. That way, you can
avoid having half drunk cans thrown
in the trash or tossed on the ground.
Party Favors:
Host a Scavenger Hunt. It’s a lot
more fun than just handing out party
favor bags as the kids leave!
Give each child an empty party
favor bag. Then divide the kids up
into groups, give them a treasure
map, and tell them to go treasure
hunting. For older kids, give them
a sheet of paper with clues and tell
them to figure out what the item is
and where it is located.
Hide items the kids can actually
use in school like, pencils, pencil
sharpeners, erasers, pencil boxes,
glue sticks, notebooks, backpacks,
and other school supplies!
Games:
When it comes to games, think
about games that would allow the
kids to share what they did over the
summer and offer a way to build
teamwork — giving them a chance
to get to know the other kids — and
are, of course, fun.
A nice game of tug-o-war would
build teamwork, as would a twolegged
sack race. Charades or
Pictionary would allow the kids to
share about their summer vacation.
Just have each of the kids write
down what they did over the summer,
then transform those ideas into
a game! You can place all the ideas
in a bucket and have each child pull
an idea out or have the child with
the event perform, while the other
children guess what he or she did
over the summer!
You can even host a lip sync contest.
First prize, a Free Homework
Pass. Courtesy of the teacher, of
course!
In the end, a Back-to-School Party
is only as much fun as you allow
it to be. Remember to relax and give
the kids breathing room to be kids.
Don’t worry about everything being
on a time table, and definitely don’t
make events too structured. Let
the kids use this opportunity to get
together without all the pressure of
classroom rules or peer pressure.
Article by
Alyice Edrich
16

Bats, Balls, Hoops, and Goals
Sports Injury
Protection for Children
The front teeth are most at risk. Approximately 80% of
all dental injuries affect one or more of the front teeth. Soft
tissue damage, as a result of biting the tongue or cheek, is
also common. Approximately 200,000 oral injuries will be
prevented by mouthguard use in the next year.
If a single tooth is knocked out through an accident
sustained in sports activity, the treatment will involve
either re-implantation with root canal therapy and possibly
crown or replacement therapy with a bridge or implant
when your child is old enough. There may be an interim
period where your child will have to wear a cumbersome
removable temporary appliance until they are old enough
for a more permanent solution. The expense of these
treatments will often be as much as 15-30 times the cost
of a custom fit mouthguard.
Article by
Steven J. Brazis DDS
Mouthguards are essential if your child is playing sports.
Many organized sports require them, but, if they are uncomfortable,
children don’t always wear them. Parents
should make sure they do.
The American Dental Association recommends a
mouthguard for participation in the following sports: acrobatics,
basketball, boxing, discus throwing, field hockey,
football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial
arts, racquetball, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding,
skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water
polo, weightlifting and wrestling.
Mouthguards range from $5 (low-end bought in store)
to $150 (top of the line custom fit). The ready-to-wear,
U-shaped mouthguards, made from rubber or vinyl materials,
can be bought without a prescription in many sporting
goods stores. However, they do not evenly distribute the
force of an impact due to the looseness of a non-custom
fit. Dr. Brazis recommends that you avoid using these type
of mouthguards and suggests going to a dentist to have a
custom-fitted mouthguard made to fit comfortably in your
mouth and offer better protection.
If having a mouthguard custom-fit by a dentist isn’t
an option, then the best alternative would be a “boil-andbite”
mouthguard from the sporting goods stores. These
mouthguards are made from a type of plastic that softens in
boiling water. You place the mouthguard in boiling water,
and, once the plastic is soft, you put it into your mouth,
bite down on it, and mold the softened plastic around your
teeth using your fingers, lips and tongue.
Be careful not to scald yourself when removing the
mouthguard from the boiling water, and make sure that it
isn’t too hot to put into your mouth. These mouthguards
can be reheated and refit if the fit isn’t comfortable after
the first try.
Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental
injuries occur while playing sports. In one year, 5 million
teeth are knocked out of the mouths of children and
teenagers during sports in the United States. Safechild.
net reports that 60% of organized sports-related injuries
occur during practice rather than during games.
Dentalnotes, a publication from the Academy of General
Dentistry, says mouthguards have to be kept clean. Teeth
should be brushed and mouthguards cleaned before being
placed in the mouth and, to preserve the guards, clean
them after use. And, of course, mouthguards should not
be shared.
17

Getting Inspired
Going Back to School: Increase
Your Value, Multiply Your Options
Perhaps you’ve been debating the issue for years.
Or maybe a new career opportunity is forcing you to
consider. No matter what the catalyst may be, you find
yourself thinking about going back to school to earn
that elusive degree. And there’s never been a better
time to do it.
They’re doing it in Toronto. According to JTA, a
combination of Canadian presidents, chairpersons
and business officials are going back to school. The
goal? To gain additional insights into such meaningful
career skills as finance, management, human resources,
and conflict resolution. There’s a valuable lesson to be
learned from this venture and others just like it – going
back to school to earn your degree can be essential in
creating new opportunities and increasing your salary
potential. If you’re in a career “rut” and would embrace
a chance to do something more, there may be no better
way than by earning that college degree.
College is Where the Learning Is
If you’re asking yourself why you should go back to
school, chances are you probably already know the
answer. Simply stated, an increasingly complex job
market requires professionals with specialized skills.
College degrees are all about specialization. It’s the
opportunity to combine formal classroom training with
your personal talents and abilities to prepare for bigger
and better things. Often, the urge to return to college to
complete your degree arrives on the tail of what MSN
Encarta calls a “trigger event.” Such events include:
The Promo Passover. You didn’t get that big promotion
that you thought was in the bag and the decision
came down to qualifications.
Employment Uncertainty. This can include pending
mergers or the threat of a layoff that places generic
workers in jeopardy.
Industry Innovation. New processes and technologies
are changing your professional landscape – and
you have to keep up.
A New Boss in Town. A new manager often attempts
to make an immediate impact in your department, which
may begin with adding better-qualified employees.
Much More Than Just a Piece of Sheepskin
College graduates that do so simply for the prestige are
missing the big picture. Formal classroom training can
develop you in ways that life experiences and hands-on
learning often exclude. According to Reuters, the simple
fact is that businesses across industries are thirsting
for academically-trained applicants – a resource that is
becoming increasingly harder to find. A college curriculum
reinforces perseverance, independent study skills
and communications abilities, just to name a few. Add
these abilities to your own current repertoire of talents
to increase your value to any employer.
If numbers are motivation for you (READ: money
talks), you should know that a college degree and
earning potential go hand-in-hand. US News and World
Reports notes that a study in the 1990s of laid-off workers
who went back to community college earned about
9 percent more in salary over a lifetime than those who
didn’t. Also, The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s report on
Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers:
Third Quarter 2008 lists some eye-opening salary
trends for full-time employees over age 25.
• Workers without a high school diploma had median
weekly earnings of $471.
• High school graduates with no college credentials
had median weekly earnings of $618.
• Those holding at least a bachelor’s degree had
median weekly earnings of $1,131.
Thinking about a Career Change? Earn Your
Degree First.
Switching a career or position within an industry can
be an especially tumultuous time, particularly for middle-aged
professionals. If you’ve spent several years
working towards one goal, it’s tough to break into a
new occupation without meaningful training in a new
skill. However, going back to get that degree can make
it possible. In fact, the combination of this new information
with what you already know can better prepare
you for the transition.
The International Association of Administrative
Professionals makes these timely suggestions as you
consider your options:
Employer Tuition Reimbursement. Some employers
offer to reimburse your tuition expenses up to 100
percent provided you earn a degree related to your
industry and meet various performance requirements.
Online Education Options. If you’re not in a position
to drop personal and professional commitments
to return to school, distance learning should always
be an option.
Article by
Bianca Smith
18

Pack Your bags
5 Factors You Must
Consider When You’re
Purchasing Luggage
Article by
Sima Kimble
Have you ever gone shopping for luggage and glanced
around the store and thought, where do I begin? There
are a plethora of shapes, sizes, and brands of luggage so
as to leave a prospective buyer puzzled. Choosing the
right luggage is an important decision for any traveler.
Not only will a good piece of luggage last a long time,
but it can make your traveling experience a lot more
enjoyable and worry-free. When you’re on the road and
away from home, this means a lot. Here are some tips
to consider when purchasing new luggage.
Identify your Traveling Needs
You should buy luggage for your most demanding traveling
needs. If you’re primarily a business traveler, your
needs will differ from a leisure traveler or a backpacker.
If you’re planning to use one case for a mixture of travel,
determine what’s most important to you. For example,
is it more important to be able to carry on your luggage
during business travel or have extra room for souvenirs
from your family vacation? If you need help deciding
what luggage might be best for you, talk to the sales
associate. Explain what type of traveling you’ll mostly
be doing and they can offer suggestions.
Luggage Color
You’ll find that most luggage comes in black and this
is because most people like black - black cars, black
motorcycles, black clothes, and black luggage. The nice
thing about black is that it hides dirt, scuffs, and general
wear and tear better than most other colors. The not so
nice thing about black is that it can be tough to pick it out
of a lineup. You know what I mean if you’ve ever tried
to pick your luggage out from among the hundreds of
other black cases on the luggage carousel. While there
are ways to mark your luggage, such as using luggage
tags and luggage straps, manufacturers are making
more luggage colors available in bright colors. The
bottom line is to choose a color that is pleasing to you.
Luggage Weight
Luggage weight has never before been such a key factor
when considering what luggage to buy. Luggage weight
can vary from a few pounds to over 10 lbs. Hard sided
luggage will tend to weigh more than soft sided luggage
due to the framing. Choose the lightest weight luggage
that has all or most of the features you want. If you’re
purchasing luggage specifically for carry on, make sure
that you can lift the case overhead when packed.
Luggage Quality
You want to purchase good quality luggage that
offers durability and reliability. Remember the old
saying ‘you get what you pay for.’ This is especially true
with luggage. Beware of cheap or low quality luggage.
Luggage parts must be durable, and this includes things
like handles, wheels, zippers, and fabric. Here are some
things to look for:
Handles: Handles should be comfortable and durable.
They should be well fastened to the frame of the
bag. If you have a tele-handle, it should lock in the up
and down position and should be flush with the bag in
the down position. Handles should be ergonomic and
comfortable and offer quick, on-the-go use.
Wheels: Wheels are essential for good handling and
maneuverability. Wheels should be made of polyurethane
or in-line skate material so that they can withstand
hundreds of miles on pavement without wearing
out. Wheels should be securely fixed to the frame of
the bag with screws or rivets and non-recessed wheels
should be extremely durable.
Zippers: You want sturdy zippers that will not wear
out, break off, or snag your clothes. Look for luggage
that has nylon coil or polyester coil zippers. Zippers
with larger “teeth” tend to be better quality than zippers
with smaller “teeth.” Look for luggage that has two
zippers with pull tabs that come together so that you
can lock your case.
Fabric: Choose fabric that can withstand abrasion,
stains, and tearing. Look for Cordura or ballistic nylon
materials. The measure of denier will depend on how
durable you need your luggage to be. 1000-denier
Cordura will provide maximum durability whereas
500-denier may suffice for moderate use.
Luggage Warranty
Regardless of what luggage you purchase, be sure to
check the luggage manufacturer’s warranty and know
what is covered. Manufacturer defects such as failed
handles, wheels, and zippers are often covered, whereas
normal wear and tear is not. Choose retailers and
manufacturers that will be able to service your luggage
quickly if you need it.
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