Fw: School Year's Resolutions -- a new op-ed from CPR

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----- Original Message ----- From: Zuckerman

Eileen M. Swanson ; Rogene Schorer

Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 11:43 PM

Subject: School Year's Resolutions -- a new op-ed from CPR

Dear Friends,

I hope you'll like this new op-ed -- an effort to provide some useful advice.

Best wishes,

Zuckerman, Ph.D.PresidentNational Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20006www.center4policy.org

Remember CPR when you give to United Way or CFC, by designating #9884!

This article was published in the Spokane Spokesman-Review, the Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal-Star, the Panama City (Florida) News Herald, and in other Knight Ridder newspapers in September 2002.

School Year’s Resolutions for Families

By Zuckerman, Ph.D.

The new school year brings all kinds of challenges to families. It’s a good time to think about making changes that will help make family life better all year long, and it’s not as hard as you might think .

Every year, researchers from all over the country conduct studies that could be used to improve the lives of our children and families – but unfortunately, most of us never hear about them. Here's 5 ways to help your kids and your family -- take your pick, and make at least one resolution you can keep:

Number 1: get to know your children's friends, and if possible, their families. The research is very clear on this -- the kids your child spends time will influence them in ways you never dreamed of. Friends will help predict whether your children will get involved with drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, or even think about suicide. So, the key to a good year is to make sure you know who their friends are and what they are like - even if your kids don't especially want you to.

#2 A surprising research finding is about the dangers of "hanging out with friends." We all hung out with our friends when we were kids, but kids who "hang out" a lot are more likely to get into trouble. Like most things, moderation is the key.

#3: This may not seem like news: it's important to eat together as a family. Research clearly shows that families that eat together regularly are less likely to have kids who get in trouble. There is something about eating together -- and the kinds of families that eat together -- that is good for kids of all ages. For many families, it's the best chance to find out about what is happening in your children's lives.

#4: New research on TV and violent video games shows the importance of limiting the amount of time spent watching TV and the kinds of video games that your kids play. Kids who watch more TV and play more violent video games are more likely to be overweight and aggressive. The average pre-teen spends an average of several hours a day watching TV, and parents should set limits and know what their kids are watching and playing. That's one of several reasons why TV in a child's bedroom is a bad idea – parents are more likely to know what’s on TV in a family room than a child’s bedroom. And don't let them eat while watching TV -- unless you want your children to gain weight.

#5: And, last but not least, your grandmother was right: a good night's sleep is important. According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Children, Youth and Families, if you're taking "power naps" or you or your kids are falling asleep during dull classes or meetings, it means you need more sleep. Most of us think we’re doing fine on 7 hours of sleep, but studies show that your memory, driving, and concentration are all improved if you get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Most children, even teens, do even better with at least nine hours. Homework will go faster, parents will feel more patient, and there will be fewer angry outbursts. In contrast, teens who don't get enough sleep have trouble concentrating in school, drive less safely, and are less aware of the consequences of their decisions.

These 5 resolutions are based on facts, not just opinions. The first three are based on a study of more than 12,000 students attending 134 high schools and middle schools across the country, called the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. There are several studies of TV and kids’ obesity, including a national health survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Concerns about the impact of TV and video games on aggressive behavior is based on many studies, including published studies of several hundred students by researchers at Iowa State University.

Do these resolutions sound familiar? It seems that expensive, well-designed research proves what many of our parents used to tell us. What not tell them so, and try some school year’s resolutions for our own families?

Zuckerman, Ph.D. is president of the National Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: Zuckerman

Eileen M. Swanson ; Rogene Schorer

Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 10:43 PM

Subject: School Year's Resolutions -- a new op-ed from CPR

Dear Friends,

I hope you'll like this new op-ed -- an effort to provide some useful advice.

Best wishes,

Zuckerman, Ph.D.PresidentNational Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20006www.center4policy.org

Remember CPR when you give to United Way or CFC, by designating #9884!

This article was published in the Spokane Spokesman-Review, the Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal-Star, the Panama City (Florida) News Herald, and in other Knight Ridder newspapers in September 2002.

School Year’s Resolutions for Families

By Zuckerman, Ph.D.

The new school year brings all kinds of challenges to families. It’s a good time to think about making changes that will help make family life better all year long, and it’s not as hard as you might think .

Every year, researchers from all over the country conduct studies that could be used to improve the lives of our children and families – but unfortunately, most of us never hear about them. Here's 5 ways to help your kids and your family -- take your pick, and make at least one resolution you can keep:

Number 1: get to know your children's friends, and if possible, their families. The research is very clear on this -- the kids your child spends time will influence them in ways you never dreamed of. Friends will help predict whether your children will get involved with drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, or even think about suicide. So, the key to a good year is to make sure you know who their friends are and what they are like - even if your kids don't especially want you to.

#2 A surprising research finding is about the dangers of "hanging out with friends." We all hung out with our friends when we were kids, but kids who "hang out" a lot are more likely to get into trouble. Like most things, moderation is the key.

#3: This may not seem like news: it's important to eat together as a family. Research clearly shows that families that eat together regularly are less likely to have kids who get in trouble. There is something about eating together -- and the kinds of families that eat together -- that is good for kids of all ages. For many families, it's the best chance to find out about what is happening in your children's lives.

#4: New research on TV and violent video games shows the importance of limiting the amount of time spent watching TV and the kinds of video games that your kids play. Kids who watch more TV and play more violent video games are more likely to be overweight and aggressive. The average pre-teen spends an average of several hours a day watching TV, and parents should set limits and know what their kids are watching and playing. That's one of several reasons why TV in a child's bedroom is a bad idea – parents are more likely to know what’s on TV in a family room than a child’s bedroom. And don't let them eat while watching TV -- unless you want your children to gain weight.

#5: And, last but not least, your grandmother was right: a good night's sleep is important. According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Children, Youth and Families, if you're taking "power naps" or you or your kids are falling asleep during dull classes or meetings, it means you need more sleep. Most of us think we’re doing fine on 7 hours of sleep, but studies show that your memory, driving, and concentration are all improved if you get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Most children, even teens, do even better with at least nine hours. Homework will go faster, parents will feel more patient, and there will be fewer angry outbursts. In contrast, teens who don't get enough sleep have trouble concentrating in school, drive less safely, and are less aware of the consequences of their decisions.

These 5 resolutions are based on facts, not just opinions. The first three are based on a study of more than 12,000 students attending 134 high schools and middle schools across the country, called the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. There are several studies of TV and kids’ obesity, including a national health survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Concerns about the impact of TV and video games on aggressive behavior is based on many studies, including published studies of several hundred students by researchers at Iowa State University.

Do these resolutions sound familiar? It seems that expensive, well-designed research proves what many of our parents used to tell us. What not tell them so, and try some school year’s resolutions for our own families?

Zuckerman, Ph.D. is president of the National Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women & Families.