Get your kids what they need to succeed in school!!!

[golfgal]

DD14's best friend just got here. She needs to use our printer, AGAIN. Her printer is broken. It has been for a YEAR. Her parents don't see the need to get it fixed. It is a good thing we are around for her to use our printer or she wouldn't have a way to get her homework done!! The kids have a lot of online assignments that they need to print out their score sheets to show they have done the work. She has to do all of those over here too. They seem to have enough money to go out to eat and to the bar every Friday night but they can't get a $40 printer???

I am sure some how it will be the school's fault that she needs the printer in the first place

 

[Ohiodislover]

In a way I do think it is the schools fault. Do the also require a computer? I would assume so, because a printer without it is rather worthless. That is really not a fair assumption on the school/teachers part that every student has that available to them.

It is ridiculous for the parents to go out and spend on other things though.

 

[KAMKIM]

She could also go to the library

 

[Rora]

She could also go to the library

Very true.

Not to be unkind but maybe your DD should tell her friend that your printer is broke and that she is going to the library to print her stuff out and invite her to come along.

 

[DisneyMom81]

Very true.

Not to be unkind but maybe your DD should tell her friend that your printer is broke and that she is going to the library to print her stuff out and invite her to come along.

I don't think the issue is about the girl using their computer - its the fact that the friends parents don't have the child prepared for school. We are all old (compaired to young school aged kids I mean....) - so we look at it as "how dare the school make parents spend that kind of money just to do homework." But its evolution! Long long time ago, people used chalk boards for school work. Then we "upgraded" to paper and pencils and notepads. Now were up to computers. Many college age kids bring a lap top to class to take notes - its just the way our country / world is going.

 

[C.Ann]

In a way I do think it is the schools fault. Do the also require a computer? I would assume so, because a printer without it is rather worthless. That is really not a fair assumption on the school/teachers part that every student has that available to them.

It is ridiculous for the parents to go out and spend on other things though.

She could also go to the library

I agree with both of these posts..

If that were the case up here at the lake where many (actually, the majority)of the year-round families live "at" or well below the poverty level, there would be quite a large number of students failing every year.. As hard as it may be for some people to believe, not every family has the luxury of owning a computer and/or a printer and if they did, they likely would not be able to afford the ink for the printer..

While the family you speak of should purchase a printer before spending money on "wants" as opposed to "needs", I would have a serious problem with a school district that took it upon themselves to "assume" that every student has access to a computer and printer..

 

[golfgal]

The school has many, many computers, printers, etc. to use but she has to babysit for a friend of her mom's every day after school so she can't get to the lab. I don't have an issue with her using our computer. She spends more time at our house then she does at her own house. She cares about school and we are happy to make sure she stays that way. Her parents, on the other hand, don't really care. They are not college grads and don't see the need to do anything but get a high school diploma.

THe school has many accommodations for kids that don't have access to a computer-even a late bus home for those that stay after school.

My DD doesn't have time to go to the library-she has too much homework to do .

 

[C.Ann]

The school has many, many computers, printers, etc. to use but she has to babysit for a friend of her mom's every day after school so she can't get to the lab. I don't have an issue with her using our computer. She spends more time at our house then she does at her own house. She cares about school and we are happy to make sure she stays that way. Her parents, on the other hand, don't really care. They are not college grads and don't see the need to do anything but get a high school diploma.

THe school has many accommodations for kids that don't have access to a computer-even a late bus home for those that stay after school.

My DD doesn't have time to go to the library-she has too much homework to do .

Does she get paid for babysitting? Perhaps you and your DD could take her somewhere to purchase an inexpensive printer with her babysitting money.. This time of year the sales are incredible and it may not even cost $40..

 

[KAMKIM]

The school has many, many computers, printers, etc. to use but she has to babysit for a friend of her mom's every day after school so she can't get to the lab. I don't have an issue with her using our computer. She spends more time at our house then she does at her own house. She cares about school and we are happy to make sure she stays that way. Her parents, on the other hand, don't really care. They are not college grads and don't see the need to do anything but get a high school diploma.

THe school has many accommodations for kids that don't have access to a computer-even a late bus home for those that stay after school.

My DD doesn't have time to go to the library-she has too much homework to do .

It is sad these parents dont see that, but I've noticed with some of my aunts and uncles that are alittle bit older than I am (I'm 28) - they have kids in high school and it appauls them that kids are expected to know how to research using the internet vs the library. I think the schools are preparing them for the future.

Maybe your daughters friends parents are thinking along the same way..."we had to write everything out so why should she get to print it out?"

 

[Silent1CB]

Printers are CHEAP! Buy her one for her next birthday present.

 

[golfgal]

Does she get paid for babysitting? Perhaps you and your DD could take her somewhere to purchase an inexpensive printer with her babysitting money.. This time of year the sales are incredible and it may not even cost $40..

Yes, she gets paid but why waste the money--she can use our computer ANY TIME. She even has a key to our house so if we aren't home she can get in. The issue is the parents-they both have pretty good jobs, money really isn't an issue for them, it comes down to them not caring which is sad. They never go to anything at school, never go to parent/teacher conferences, open houses, band concerts-8th grade GRADUATION, nothing.

 

[golfgal]

Printers are CHEAP! Buy her one for her next birthday present.

I thought about that for Christmas. She comes to the Christmas party we have with DH's family every year

 

[C.Ann]

Yes, she gets paid but why waste the money--she can use our computer ANY TIME. She even has a key to our house so if we aren't home she can get in. The issue is the parents-they both have pretty good jobs, money really isn't an issue for them, it comes down to them not caring which is sad. They never go to anything at school, never go to parent/teacher conferences, open houses, band concerts-8th grade GRADUATION, nothing.

Well unfortunately, you can't do anything about her parents behavior..

Just be supportive (as you have been) and at least she'll know that someone cares..

You know - maybe she hasn't purchased a printer intentionally so she has a reason to spend more time at your house.. Would that be a bad thing?

 

[minniebeth]

Yes, she gets paid but why waste the money--she can use our computer ANY TIME. She even has a key to our house so if we aren't home she can get in. The issue is the parents-they both have pretty good jobs, money really isn't an issue for them, it comes down to them not caring which is sad. They never go to anything at school, never go to parent/teacher conferences, open houses, band concerts-8th grade GRADUATION, nothing.

So it sounds like the issue really goes beyond the printer...it's the fact that her parents are not supportive of their children's educational life, which is very much time, energy and money consuming.
Even if there is not much money, the needs should come before the wants like C.Ann said, but most importantly, parents need to support their kids emotionally as well and do everything they can to set them up for success.

Golfgal, it seems like you really care for the girl and perhaps she will look up to your family as a role model for support she doesn't get at home.

 

[golfgal]

Well unfortunately, you can't do anything about her parents behavior..

Just be supportive (as you have been) and at least she'll know that someone cares..

You know - maybe she hasn't purchased a printer intentionally so she has a reason to spend more time at your house.. Would that be a bad thing?

I wouldn't doubt that one bit. It's ok, she is her so much that we just put her to work like our kids-she has to help with the dishes after dinner too

 

[KAMKIM]

I wouldn't doubt that one bit. It's ok, she is her so much that we just put her to work like our kids-she has to help with the dishes after dinner too

well if you ever upgrade your printer you know the old one has a home.

 

[golfgal]

well if you ever upgrade your printer you know the old one has a home.

Actually we were just talking tonight that we need to buy a second printer because OUR kids need one too hook the lap top up to, etc.