9/9: School Days: A Parental Breakout?

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Mary Azzoli

For many schools, including the New York City public schools, today marks the first day of classes.  As I drove into work this morning, I heard a newscaster refer to today as, “Parents Liberation Day.”  This sentiment is echoed on ads pimping school supplies across TV airwaves.  Granted, summer can be a challenge for parents.  Finding activities to keep their little ones (and big ones) busy can be difficult.  Full disclosure — I am not a parent.  However, is this the kind of message that we want to send to our kids?  That parents want, and perhaps, need to be “liberated” from their children?  Since when did parenting become a part-time job?  It also begs that long suffering issue of schools as babysitters.  Perhaps, it’s time for a reality check.

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