After reading CND’s post the other day regarding music education, I began to reminisce about my days as a music student.  I took private piano lessons for years at the insistence of my mother (in addition to music classes in school).  Though I was less than thrilled to spend my childhood afternoons practicing chords with my tenacious music teacher, in hindsight I am grateful for the experience.  I now have a love for music and a cherished talent I have been able to cultivate, an opportunity and experience many do not have.

In addition, my experiences have bestowed upon me a great appreciation for music teachers everywhere and all that they do.  From putting up with snot-nosed bratty kids to their patience with those of us who struggle, they are truly some of the most dedicated in the world.  Hats off to music teachers everywhere.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a study this past Tuesday that states an estimated one in four teenage girls in the United States has at least one sexually transmitted diseases.

Not only is this information incredibly disturbing, but it is frightening.  It is a small glimpse of where this country is headed and it certainly illustrates the areas where parents are failing.  Education, especially sex education, begins in the home.  No matter what your stance may be on teenage sex (abstinence versus safe sex), it is imperative that you teach your children safe and responsible practices.   Teenagers often do not have the cognitive ability to understand the how severe or lasting the consequences of their actions may be and they certainly won’t if you do not inform them.

For resources to help you talk to your kids about sex education, visit the Parents Sex Ed Center, provided by AdvocatesForYouth.org.