[Phase Two of World Guitar Domination has begun!]

That's the funny thing about DS -- he doesn't really play songs you can sing along with (strummy songs, I call them). He likes more of the guitar solo stuff.

 

Does that make sense?

 

Yes! My son seems to only enjoy "soloing." And, LOUD soloing at that...

 

But, both my girls play, as well, and they are more sing-along "friendly" :)

[What do you like your kids' friends to call you?]

I prefer my first name.

[What are you reading and loving right now?]

I'm in the middle of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

 

I had never read the Harry Potter series until last summer after I visited Universal's Wizarding World. I loved the series so much, I couldn't wait to read it again :001_smile:

[If it really did exist]

No.

[Ok, maybe not everyone loves her writing style, but...]

Wonderful! And, although my school room was never that lovely, I really miss it now, especially after seeing those photos. We turned it into a bedroom for my youngest so she could have her own room.

[So what is the most effective way to correct DC, other than spanking?]

For me it was helpful to decide what was most important. Not everything is. I can't be correcting every minor interaction or behavior. Figure out what matters most and concentrate on that.

 

Even the Duggar children roll down the stairs, bounce on beds etc. Some things are normal kid behaviors and don't matter to some people.

 

Pick your battles, basically. ;)

 

Yes.

 

I don't want to micro-manage my kids. I want them to learn to think for themselves. I keep in mind the fact that all kids develop at their own pace---not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, as well.

 

I strive to set good examples and give gentle guidance, but, to me, it's also important to realize kids are not mini adults. I feel it's unrealistic to expect adult-like behavior from a 6 year old. They're still learning. And, they're still kids.

[So what is the most effective way to correct DC, other than spanking?]

Try to catch them doing things right and compliment them on good behavior- then you will see more good behavior. Teach good behavior as a subject, just like you teach other subjects.

 

You don't wait and teach math when your child makes an error in counting. You teach it to them ahead of time, so they know how to count.

 

It's not all about just how to repond to a particular situation. Be proactive, not just reactive.

 

Some kids prefer the negative discipline to being ignored. For them, it is better to act out because then someone pays attention to them. Don't get caught in this trap.

 

For time-outs, if my dd doesn't immediately go to the time out, I start counting up. First, I say 5 minutes time-out. If she delays going to her room, I say 6 minutes. If she argues or says something back, I say 7 minutes. And I just keep going up, if she continues. So, she gets the idea that just doing it is better than talking back.

 

Time-outs are good because then, they aren't getting the attention, and they get a chance to cool down.

 

Misbehavior has various causes. If you can eliminate the causes, you will have less misbehavior, but this doesn't excuse misbehavior. Make sure your children eat well, and sleep well. Excessive time with peers or media can also cause misbehavior. Lack of impulse control and self-discipline can cause misbehavior. Conflict in the home can also be a cause. And being in a social group that supports or condones bad behavior is also a problem.

 

That's why grounding is sometimes helpful. It lowers the amount of peer influence as well as punishes. Punishment should not be excessive though. Frequent, smaller punishments work better than fewer but more severe ones.

 

Many children just have poor impulse control. They don't think before they act. That isn't an excuse either, but it is something you can work on. Actively teach them impulse control and model it by doing it yourself.

 

Ultimately, children need to learn self-discipline, not just conform to the rules. Try to help them learn to control themselves, not just act on impulse or without thinking things through carefully. Help them learn decision-making.

 

I don't agree with spanking or corporal punishment. Yes, it works in the short-term, but not long-term. In the long-term, it teaches all the wrong lessons. It teaches that might makes right. It teaches children that violence is ok. And it teaches children that it's ok for other people to violate their bodies and to harm them.

 

Excellent post. Thank you!

[Just for fun...10 random facts about you?]

1. When I eat a slice of pizza, I always eat the crust first. And, if that's not strange enough, I put butter on the crust.

 

2. I love music---Almost every genre (except country or rap)---alternative, classical, classic rock, jazz, Christmas music, even some metal. And, thanks to my teen, I know strange sub-genres of metal like black, thrash, doom, stoner, and sludge :001_rolleyes: Oh! and, there are even some "screamo" tracks on my iPod (compliments of my daughter). I actually like some of them :)

 

3. It is a rare day that I'm up before 9:30 a.m.

 

4. I don't watch television except for The Weather Channel. I really dislike tv, especially reality programming.

 

5. When I was in college, I did radio news for a classical music station.

 

6. I have been going to Walt Disney World since its opening year and I still look forward to every trip there.

 

7. My very favorite band is U2 and I've been trying for 15 years (with limited success, alas :sad:) to convince my kids of their "awesomeness."

 

8. I am a Christmas person. I love everything about it---the music, the decorations, the food, the smells, the memories of past Christmases...everything.

 

9. I have never seen a Star Wars movie. Ever.

 

10. I consider my children (along with dh) my best friends in the world.

 

Thanks for the fun thread, Nance!

[Are Michael and Debi Pearl “Guilty as Charged?� by Rebekah Anast]

The poisoned food analogy fits here:

 

Would you eat food, knowing it was "only a little poisoned?" That is how I view the Pearls' writing.

 

 

 

Yes. I was just going to post that someone on a similar thread a while back used the "poisoned food" analogy (must have been you!) and I thought it was a fitting analogy.

[What do you like on your burger?]

First and foremost, cheese (never American). In fact I won't even eat a burger without cheese. Also, ketchup, mustard (preferably Dijon), sauteed onions if they're available, pickles, and lettuce. Sometimes mushrooms.

 

And, even though you didn't ask ;)---I like my burgers medium rare.

[Can anyone offer advice on type of guitar to buy my daughter?]

We're all about guitars over here :)

 

First, I would go with a regular size guitar. The best thing to do is take your daughter into a music store and let her try out/hold different guitars to see which feels best to her. Guitar bodies and necks can vary in size depending on the guitar. My 7 yo has a full-size Ibanez and it's a perfect fit. Some full-size guitars are too big for her.

 

One thing I wouldn't do is buy a "starter kit" with amp included. The amps included are usually sub-par. Many locally owned music stores have good quality used amps for decent prices.

[Are Michael and Debi Pearl “Guilty as Charged?� by Rebekah Anast]

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR PHYSICALLY HARMING AN INFANT. PERIOD.

 

If you cannot handle the ups and downs of parenting an INFANT without resorting to physically harming that infant then DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN.

 

And I don't care if anyone agrees with me. There is nothing you can say to change my mind. I will go kicking and screaming to my grave with this same belief.

 

Not only do I agree, I will go a step further and say I don't agree with the idea of "training" infants. All an infant needs is love.

[s/o Pertussis -- IF one is vaccinated.......]

Yes, they can still get it. My teen had it last fall, and there is a good reason it's called the 100 days cough. :glare:

 

She dealt with it from October until mid-December. She was put on antibiotics, but they helped very little.

 

She had the full schedule of shots for pertussis, but had not had the booster.

 

The kicker? My son and youngest daughter never had the full series of DTaP, and they did NOT contract it.

 

I was told by the physician that rates of Pertussis infection were climbing among teens in the last few years.

[Poll: how many here have lived overseas?]

I was born in Finland, but came to the U.S. when I was 11 months old.

[Can someone explain declensions to me? (Latin)]

Thank you so much, Ester Maria!

 

You are awesome :001_smile:

[Is fall coming?]

Nope, not coming here.

 

As I mentioned in the other thread, I have to "manufacture" my own fall :::sigh:::

[OK, so when do you start decorating for fall???]

I love decorating for fall!

 

I do have to "manufacture" my own fall. No gorgeous autumn leaves, pumpkin patches, or cool temps here :(

 

I start decorating September 1. Fall tablecloths go on, autumn-inspired throw rugs and kitchen accessories come out, the Halloween quilt I made goes up, and I start putting out decorations I've collected over the years.

 

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons (with my favorite holidays!) so I'm counting down the days...:)

[Nurse called and said my pap is abnormal....your experience?]

I had an abnormal pap when I was pregnant with my son and ob/gyn recommended a colposcopy. Had the colposcopy with acetic acid (which was mildly uncomfortable), no abnormal tissue was seen, so no biopsy was done.

 

My paps have been normal ever since.

[It is Friday. Who is cooking dinner tonight?]

I made this scrumptious creamy pasta with leeks dish tonight. And, I just realized, while linking this, that I forgot the parmesan :glare:----but, it was still yummy.

[s/o of s/o Why do some women not put effort into their appearance??]

Well, I do wear make-up, I have fun with fashion and I enjoy having my hair done, but, I know that everyone has different interests, tastes, and priorities.

 

It wouldn't occur to me to think someone must be ill, depressed, or is "not making an effort on her appearance" just because she's shopping in sweats and not wearing make-up. It honestly wouldn't be on my radar.

 

Make-up, no make-up, boots with shorts ;)----it's all fine by me.

[North and South]

Which North and South did you watch? There are several, I think, right? I want to check it out in case it's a version different from what I have seen.

 

North and South

[North and South]

Absolutely love this movie. And, as I've mentioned here before, if you are studying the Industrial Revolution with your older kid/teen, this movie makes a great supplement.

[Have you ever drugged a kid who didn't need it on purpose?]

No, I haven't.

[Odd poll for the day]

I think demons and, therefore, demonic possession are hokum. Evil comes from human beings, and nowhere else.

 

These are pretty much my thoughts, as well.

[S/O foot poll...How tall are you?]

5'3" (I round up ;)).

 

I would love to be taller for practical reasons: being able to reach the top shelf without standing on tip-toes, being able to see over a crowd, being able to shop in stores that don't have a petite section, and, a myriad of of other reasons...

 

But, :::sigh:::, it is what it is, and, I am all I ever will be (height-wise :))