A new documentary film called "Race to Nowhere" is creating quite a buzz by claiming that our over-achieving society and performance driven educational system are akin to a pressure cooker for America's youth. Watching the film's trailer on YouTube, I note that an overwhelming amount of homework is cited as a major reason for stress among teens. In my own neighborhood, I am aware of teens that don't have time for their favorite after-school activities or are tired and stressed out because of too much homework. At soccer games, I've spoken with parents about their high school students and …

Does your child need a powerful parent advocate? Y-E-S and it's never too late for you to become one! All children need a loving parent who understands their strengths and needs, will stand by them through challenging times, and will teach them how to be a responsible and respectful person. When a child has special needs, it is even more critical for parents to develop strong advocacy skills. For these children, challenges are a daily event making it easy for them to get discouraged. The economic downturn and cuts in federal and state aid have put tremendous stress on our schools and, as a …