http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture We'll discuss issues related to preparing our youth to compete in the global economy and reach the future of their dreams. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:05:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en So your kid now has an idea of what he or she may want to do for a career. Or maybe they don't. At the very least, they have decided that whatever they want to do with their career, they need to go to school. Now the question is ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/11/26/looking-at-colleges/ Earlier, we discussed how to let your kids know more about the potential careers they are interested. Through mentorship and discussion with someone in their chosen field, your kids become more informed on what a day in the life of their hopeful career may be like. Now that your son ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/11/18/what-does-it-take/ In my most recent blog, I mentioned the importance of sharing your work day with your kids. By letting them know what happens in your average day, they get an idea of what life is like after an education. It becomes easier for them to picture the "pot ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/11/14/you-want-to-become-a-what/ A common question we ask our children each day is "How was your day?" or "What did you learn?" If you have a younger child, you are probably inundated with a mulititude of events ranging from learning the ABC's to watching a friend get gum caught in their hair. ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/10/31/how-was-your-day/ Is this a great time to talk to our kids about the differences between needs and wants or what? Maybe it's an even better time for us as adults to learn as well. Needs fall under three areas: Food, Shelter and Clothing. Some of us think we already know that, ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/10/24/what-really-is-a-need/ You know for many of those that aren't familiar with the history of our financial markets, I hear a lot of "The sky is falling" - type talk. For those of our youth who are overhearing this talk, it's got to be very scary times. Most of the pundits out ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/10/10/scary-times/ In my job, I think everyday about our youth and what concerns them about their future. So, with the last week or so being the rollercoaster ride that it was, I started thinking about what a learning opportunity this is for everyone, especially our youth. The problem is ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/10/02/keeping-the-channels-of-communication-open/ I saw a commercial a few days ago. I'm sure you've seen it as well. A couple have their TV go kaput, so they decide they need a new TV. The first thing the guy does is check what his balance and limit is on his credit so he ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/09/26/saving-for-a-better-life/ Today I was at the post office and the woman behind the counter asked me what organization I was with. When I told her "Junior Achievement," the woman next to her said "I was a member of Junior Achievement." From there, they talked aobut the products they created ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/09/18/hands-on-education-stays-with-you/ In another month, JA will officially kick off the third edition of the Rockford in 20 contest, which provides K-12 students with the opportunity to answer the question "Where do you see Rockford in 20 years?" In the last few years that we have done this contest, it is amazing to ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/preparingourfuture/2008/08/27/be-a-part-of-the-solution/