Choose one of the Lot of Life scenarios. You should elaborate on the scenario by writing a letter to a relative or close friend or a diary/journal entry from the perspective of a parent writing about his or her child. Your letter/diary should explain what happened in detail, identify the issues you will need to consider and research in coming up with a solution, and a plan of action for how you will deal with the situation.

Your paper should have a cover sheet that lists your name, the BEHS 343 section number, and the scenario you have chosen. Your paper should be double spaced and use a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman, 12 pt)

1. You are expecting your first baby and are thinking about sleeping arrangements. You have heard of the concept of “the family bed” and are considering having the baby sleep with you and your spouse.
2. You are expecting your first child and are interested in breastfeeding your baby. You would also like to return to work relatively soon. You have to decide how valuable breastfeeding is and whether you can work and breastfeed.
3. Your 12-year-old step-daughter tells you that you are not her real mother (or father) and can’t tell her what to do.
4. You are extremely concerned because your 11-year-old son has been suspended from school numerous times for fighting. He just can’t seem to get along with other children.
5. You and your spouse have just decided to divorce. Your 7-year-old is very upset about this change.
6. Your parents were over for dinner the other night. Your 6-year-old did not want to eat the beans you served, or the fish. Your parents said that you should have insisted that he/she should have had some, and that you should insist on this as a regular practice in your home.
7. Your 9-year-old is frequently sad and feels that nobody likes him/her. A friend has just suggested that maybe he/she is suffering from childhood depression.
8. Your daughter is having a great deal of difficulty in school. You think she may have learning disabilities. You would like to get the school system to evaluate her and help plan a program for her.
9. Your 2-year-old has not begun speaking yet.
10. Your 6-year-old still wets the bed almost every night.
11. Your 6-year-old has just been diagnosed with  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
12. Your 9-year-old daughter has begun menstruating and you are concerned about the effects of early puberty on her social development.
13. Your children are all adults and have moved out of the family home. Your youngest daughter is 24, a single parent, and has just asked to move back into your home because she has been laid off at work.
14. Your five-year-old’s birthday is just one month before the age cut-off for kindergarten. You are considering having him/her start school a year later.
15. Your son/daughter has always struggled with school. Your third grader’s teacher has just suggested that he/she repeat the third grade.
16. Your 12-year-old daughter who has never had a weight or eating problem is now worrying that she is too fat. The mother of one of her friends has just told you that she thinks your daughter may be bulimic.
17. You have noticed behavioral changes in your 14-year-old and are concerned that he/she may be using drugs or alcohol.
18. You are expecting your first child. You and your spouse are beginning the search for good daycare.
19. You are considering home-schooling your child. You need to get enough information to actually start home-schooling your child.
20. Your 14-year-old daughter accidentally leaves her purse open in the family room and you see a package of birth-control pills.
21. You have discovered that your 12-year-old has been downloading and viewing pornography on the Internet.  
22. Your 16-year-old has decided to go on a diet.  While you want your child to be healthy, you notice that s/he frequently skips meals, exercises 3-4 times daily, and refers to herself/himself as “fat”. 
23. While putting away laundry, you find a box of condoms in your 15-year-old’s room.
24. Your 17-year-old brings her/his friends to the house frequently.  You notice that many of these friends are openly homosexual. 
25. It is February.  Your 18-year-old, who is graduating in May, has not completed any college applications or expressed any plans for life after high school.
26. You overhear a conversation your 14-year-old is having and every other word out of his/her mouth is profanity.
27. You find a bottle of vodka under your 18-year-old’s bed. 
28. Your 16 year old comes into the house after attending a party, smelling of cigarettes and marijuana.
29. Your 15-year-old is student council president, captain of the lacrosse team, plays the piano, teaches Sunday school, volunteers at the local soup kitchen, is taking 5 Advanced Placement courses, and is a member of National Honor Society.
30. Your 18-year-old insists on marrying his/her high school sweetheart at graduation, although receiving several full scholarships to various colleges, as well as several promising internships.  In addition, the sweetheart is a LOSER!
31. Your 17-year-old announces that s/he is about to become a parent.
32. You and your spouse do not agree about whether parents can argue in front of their children.

 This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.Setting the SceneExcellent5 pointsGood4 pointsFair3 pointsPoor2 pointsMissing0 pointsDescription of what happened

Excellent, detailed, and clear description of parenting scenario

Good description of parenting scenario with some minor omissions or problems in clarity

Fair description of parenting scenario with several minor omissions or problems in clarity

Poor description of parenting scenario with major omissions or problems in clarity

No description of parenting scenario

/ 5This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.Parenting IssuesExcellent10 pointsGood8 pointsFair6 pointsPoor4 pointsMissing0 pointsIdentification of parenting issues that need to be explored

Comprehensive and clear analysis of what issues need to be researched or explored

Good analysis of what issues need to be researched or explored with some minor omissions or problems in clarity

Fair analysis of what issues need to be researched or explored several minor omissions or problems in clarity

Poor analysis of what issues need to be researched or explored with major omissions or problems in clarity

No identification of parenting issues that need to be explored

/ 10This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.Plan of ActionExcellent5 pointsGood4 pointsFair3 pointsPoor2 pointsMissing0 pointsPlan of action for dealing with the situation

Comprehensive and detailed description of plan of action for dealing with the situation

Good description of plan of action for dealing with the situation with some minor omissions or problems in clarity

Fair description of plan of action for dealing with the situation with several minor omissions or problems in clarity

Poor description of plan of action for dealing with the situation with major omissions or problems in clarity

No plan of action identified

/ 5This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.FormatExcellent2 pointsGood1 pointFair0.5 pointsMissing0 pointsFormat

Meets all three of the following criteria:

Written as a letter or diary/journal entry

Meets 1-2 page single spaced length requirement 

Has a cover sheet with name, course and section number

Meets 2 of the following criteria:

Written as a letter or diary/journal entry 

Meets 1-2 page single spaced length requirement 

Has a cover sheet with name, course and section number

Meets 1 of the following criteria:

Written as a letter or diary/journal entry 

Meets 1-2 page single spaced length requirement 

Has a cover sheet with name, course and section number

Not written as a letter or diary/journal entry

-and-

Does not meet page length requirement

-and-

Missing cover sheet with name, course and section number

/ 2This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.Writing QualityExcellent3 pointsGood2 pointsFair1 pointPoor0 pointsCriterion 1

Writing is clear, concise, and descriptive. No mechanical or grammatical errors.

Writing is clear, concise, and descriptive. Some minor mechanical or grammatical errors present.

Writing is not always clear or sufficiently descriptive. Several mechanical or grammatical errors that may interfere with meaning.

Writing is unclear and confusing. Many mechanical or grammatical errors that interfere with meaning.

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