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Learning Disabilities Articles for Help with Kids by Susan Kramer

Contents

1. What Is Dysgraphia? 2. Dyslexia Information and Help 3. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Symptoms 4. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Explained 5. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Managing Anger 6. What Is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder  - CDD? 7. Hyperlexia Information 8. Asperger's Disorder Information 9. TSC and Learning Disabilities 10. Living Harmoniously with Learning Disabilities 11. Cooperation and Learning Disabilities 12. Overcoming Stress 13. Dividing Time Between Your Kids 14. Helping Kids with Challenges Make Friends 15. Learning Difficulties or Disabilities? 16. Making Transitions and Learning Disabilities 17. Helping Kids Find New Solutions 18. Back to School Dress When Challenged 19. Showing Courage and Learning Disabilities 20. Teach Kids to Stay Close to Home 21. Feeling Fear and Learning Disabilities 22. Kids Learn Trustworthiness 23. Multitasking Ideas

24. Laziness or Learning Disabilities? 25. Helping Kids Reach Their Goals 26. Family Roundtable Discussions with Kids 27. Materialism Issues 28. Illness or Accident Leading to a Challenge 29. Vocational or Academics for Challenged Teens? 30. Expectations and Relating 31. Nurturing Kids of All Abilities 32. Our Roles in the Eyes of Society 33. Developing Self-Esteem 34. Changing Goals and Learning Disabilities 35. Shopping Trips Can Be Educational 36. Achievement with Learning Disabilities 37. Resolving Conflicts and Learning Disabilities 38. Teaching Kids Order and Organization 39. Family Life with Learning Disabilities 40. Backyard Motor Skills Games 41. Truancy and Learning Disabilities 42. Kids Learn About Playing Fairly 43. Looking for Equitable Resolves 44. Aerobic Activities for Stress Relief in School 45. Acceptance, Abundance and Learning Disabilities 46. Kids Learn About Sharing

26. Family Roundtable Discussions with Kids

Do you remember in the good old days when the family would sit around the table after meals and discuss issues and plans?

With today's family members on diverse schedules, how often do we all sit around the table together? And by not being all together this way we miss out on natural opportunities families of yore had for discussing and resolving issues.

This past winter holiday my family had an opportunity to be all together for several meals, and as we all sat around the table we took the time to listen to each other. We listened as a caring family. This was so helpful to those members of our large family who struggle at times with learning disabilities, including my own partial hearing disability.

The family formed a unit, a caring team, and together we centered on the concerns of our most vulnerable members. I was really impressed by the useful ideas put forth for resolving issues. I know that left to my own resources I would not have thought of all the ideas presented.

The benefit of the family, or family and friends in roundtable discussion, is that the members know each other and being close over a period of time have the desire to really help out where needed. And those being cared about get a boost in self esteem by being the center of the loving attention surrounding them.

If your family is scattered at dinnertime, one idea is to make a habit of having a family lunch or dinner together on the weekend. My family likes to eat pizza together, and at times we have gathered together in the backyard or an informal pizzeria to eat and when satiated we have turned our attention to issues of our family members who need attention.

Another occasion to make an excuse for all being together for eating and discussing is celebrating birthdays. This insures several times a year meeting as a group and listening to and nurturing each other.

In summary, making time to gather as a family or with family and close friends in roundtable discussion, is an opportunity to listen to each other and give insight from all present. It is a time when the weakest members of the clan can get support from those who care about them and want what is best for each other. If the family is rarely all together for meals, make use of special occasions such as holidays and birthdays to sit around as a group and listen to each other; nurturing with positive attitudes and creative ideas as needed.

Article by Susan Kramer

Resources for parents, teachers and homeschooling families: