I didn’t watch the Golden Globes because I was watching “Downton Abbey,” but I did catch up on the styles this morning. It appears that plunging necklines stole the show for everyone from 66-year-old Oscar nominee Sally Field (for her role as Mary Todd Lincoln) to the kids – Selena Gomez, 20, and ”Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland, 22.

It’s the time of year middle schoolers are faced with the challenge of choosing a high school. It’s an emotional time for kids — be understanding. Here are five things to consider:

Private versus public — Private schools cost more than $6,000 a year for tuition. That’s $24,000 for four years, and that does not include any of the activities, uniforms or fees. Loan opportunities exist for private schools, but if college is in the future, more loans will follow. Have a frank family discussion about how this impacts your family. Children need to know we love them and support them, but financial reality must be part of the equation. Consider all the what ifs. Here’s a link for how to review schools http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-the-Right-High-School.

Big versus small. In our community, McDowell High School has more than 500 students per grade level. All of our kids went there, and the size was never an issue. Our kids were involved in dozens of activities, camps, baseball, soccer, volleyball and more where they interacted with other kids from the region — they knew a lot of kids. Here’s a link that discusses private schools, charter schools and home schooling. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/how-to-choose-a-private-high-school.html

Be the voice of reason. Guide, but don’t push. For example, some kids naturally lean toward vocational education, but others don’t. Similarly, some kids want to be at the top of the class striving to be the best in honors classes and the works, but others don’t want the stress. Athletes might want to make a school decision based solely on sports. But if your athlete gets hurt, will the school decision still be the right fit? Don’t get stuck on maintaining a family tradition just because it’s a tradition. Every kid is different, and schools do change from generation to generation. Here’s a link that helps you analyze 33 different aspects of high schools. http://www.chooseyourfuture.org/choosing-a-high-school

Location. Getting to and from the school can be a deal breaker for parents and students. After-school and weekend activities mean plenty of return trips to the school for the fun stuff. Be realistic about how much time it takes to make the trip and if the school is on an accessible city bus route.

It’s an emotional decision. Listen to your youngsters. The high schools they choose will impact future decisions. My daughter attended a large high school and decided that she wanted an even bigger school for college. The boys were the opposite. They thrived in a small college environment — every kid is different.

Finally, keep in mind, these are kids — they will change their minds, and they need us to understand. I have one kid who attended a large public school and a small private school — all in four years. We all make decisions and change our minds. You have to do what works for you and your family.

Pam Parker, mother of three and stepmother of three — all over age 20 — is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.

Time to get charged up for spring. If you are looking for some bright fashions, here are a few:

Dresses that illuminate like the dresses worn by the bride, bridesmaids and little Lily on “Modern Family.”

CuteCircuit, a fashion tech company, launched a collection of dresses and tops embedded with LED lights. The clothes recharge via USB, and some items have controllers that allow wearers to pick the color and pattern of their lights.

Designer-artist team Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz, have dressed Katy Perry in bright lights. LED lights are also charging up shoes, and they’re not just for kids anymore.

If you want to make a splash at your next party, try LED LiteRays, created by photographer Carl VanderSchuit, who also invented popular LiteCubes, lighted faux ice cubes used to illuminate drinks from the inside out. They start at $7.99 and are available at: http://litecubes.com

Last night’s episode of Modern Family was a rerun, but I laughed just as hard as the first time. One of the subplots focused on Little Lily’s obsession with dropping the f-bomb. This episode created a lot of Internet buzz when it first aired. It offers a stinging reminder that kids repeat what they hear. And they do it more frequently if adults laugh. My kids never heard that word growing up, but they did come up with some embarrassing shouts that included:

• “Awww dammit, Howie.” My daughter was barely old enough to walk when she chastised my oldest son, Howie, if he made her mad. I know exactly where she heard that one.
• “You wear your mother’s bras,” said by my son to a neighborhood boy. Where on Earth did he hear that one? Not from me.
• One child — old enough to drive — let loose a stream of obscenities — some were words I had never used in my life. In school. After the car was towed out of the school parking lot. I feared I would be getting a call from the administration because no one curses quietly. No call, and I was the one who had to pay the cursed fine.

The language gets more colorful as they age.  I’ve learned words from all six kids that I never heard before. We all need to be careful what we say, and what kids hear. There are no bleeps in real life.

OK, it’s not really a tightrope; it’s a slackliner. Click on Slackliner student to see passersby stop in their tracks to watch this Gannon University wrestler enjoy his exercise.

Slacklining — Wikipedia defines as an exercise in balance that uses 1-inch nylon webbing like a tension wire, and this GU student uses trees much like Phil did in a Modern Family episode.  Click here to see Phil.

Congratulations to new Erie Times-News photographer Andy Colwell who caught Sam the Slackliner student on video. Slacklining is different from tightrope walking in that the line is not  taut.

After watching the premiere of ABC’s “Modern Family” last night, I have to say I love this show. I’ve always loved the show. It is the first show, I think, that gives a somewhat accurate portrayal of blended families. As a member of a blended family, I can vouch for the funny moments, the tender moments and the irritating moments.
On last night’s double episode of “Modern Family,” I was fascinated with little Lily, the adopted child of two male partners. Last year, Lily never spoke, smiled or even showed emotions. This year, she made up for it, much like a few of the kids in our family. For a laugh, even if you aren’t in a blended family, take a look.
It always makes me smile.