I would have just either, commented that I know she must have tons of people requesting books from her, and it must have been for someone else, OR, if you think there are problems that you may not know about, then just ask her if there are problems that you don't know about. It actually could be either. She could have thought that you were the one who asked for it. OR, there could be a problem that she knows about but didn't have the guts to tell you. Obviously people don't offer books without a reason, and as a pastor's wife, she has the responsibility to let you know if there's talk about your children. (OR apologize if she made a mistake) Carrie

:grouphug: You're invited to chat with other Oregonians! Check your invites or Request one:-) Carrie:-)

I do agree that she should never have put you in this position and you can only do what you believe is best. I'm not saying that you shouldn't turn her in...only that I would weigh everything, personally. I would consider the facts and make sure that I felt in good conscience that I was making the best decision. If I were she, I would not put someone else in this position. I would not have chosen to spank. But since she did, I would have to look at the evidence, because I've met some really not with it social workers. (And yes, I know there are some great ones, too!) Remember, the decision will affect YOU (you emotionally and the CHILD emotionally and perhaps physically and those are the only two people I would consider:-) If you choose to turn them in, then after the call, I think you owe it to the church to let your pastor know. Carrie:-)

A set of beeswax/ Stockmar crayons. They are yummy to draw with. They shade a mix nicely. As long as you're getting other fun things...We've had ours for years! Carrie:-)

Ok, I'm gonna just say that a tiny bruise is not necessarily abuse. I have sat for plenty of children who were spanked what most of you all would consider "plenty hard" and they had no bruises and some children just bruise easy. In other words, is it the strike that should be regulated or the bruising of skin? Of course, I understand that one can't run around measuring the strength of the strike. How did you end the conversation? What did the bruise look like? If it looked like a rash that's kinda weird. I don't necessarily think I would turn this in to anyone, but rather I would talk to my pastor, if I had any misgivings. And yes, I've been a mandatory reporter and we've finished up all the foster/adoption classes. I would wonder "WHY" she was finding it necessary to spank a 21 month old. I have "spanked" a child that age, but in other situations been with other people's children for long periods of time without spanking at all. (While nannying and at a younger age babysitting.) So, I know you don't HAVE to spank, unless you decide to... Would she find relief from taking a Love and Logic class? Is she open to discussing alternatives? Does she need some official or unofficial respite care? If it were my child in foster care (God forbid!) I would not want my child removed for a very small bruise, if you can tell that she loves the child and has it's best interest at heart! I would want her to accept training and mentoring for dealing with my child. I believe that every way you deal with situations has good and bad ramifications, and I think that you have a right and duty to weigh them. I don't believe that there's a straight across board to decide when to tell authorities. Carrie:-)

I LOVE this. Thanks! Carrie:-)

Great Thread...Can't wait to read it all. Carrie:-)

I'm enjoying reading new books for myself. Climbing Parnassus and LLC again and again...Trying to start bits of Latin...Looking into Greek..and I can't wait to start Ancients...SOTW I and Famous Men of Series...and SWB's ancient for adults....(What's that called?) Maybe after all this I can decide on the curriculum that I want when I see it... Carrie:-)

How about one more suggestion. He's the perfect age for you to also consider the Latin Centered Curriculum. It's a book...and has a scope and sequence through High School. The book isn't that expensive....and it's worth a read. Just a thought... I like the 2nd edition that just came out, best. Famous Men of...Series seems like it's be great for a 9/10 year old boy! I'm planning on doing it as closely as I can starting full speed this next year with my will be 11 year old and 6 year old. We're already doing some of it now. Carrie:-)

We had a little trampoline with a handle. It was great for my monkey! (ok 5 year old son) We bought it at the Goodwill. It kinda fell apart after a couple of years on the porch. Then our cat got to it....so in the trash it went. BUT, it was great for him to hop on until I could make it up from the van. In the winter...I had it inside alot. He's just got a crazy amount of energy..and this was great for it! Carrie:-)

This is what my dad has said. He said that he had to work really hard to learn what he did. He was independently studying Greek and Ancient History when he was in High School, way before you heard of this... He's got two Doctorates and two Masters....and has taught for years. After years of teaching, he says that he's just not tough anymore...students don't want to have to hurt their heads thinking. :tongue_smilie:

At toys r us you can get insurance for $7.50? I think...we did...and it's worth it. Carrie:-)

Your 14 year old could easily do Latina Christiana I, II and then move into Henle...and be far enough along before he graduated. I think it's easier to do when you're doing it with another family...like any other important subject. (Just the once a week part, it takes about 1.5 hrs, once a week and then some homework) My now 16 year old daughter, started when she was 13. She'll be able to make it out of Henle Book I, which is equal to 2 years of Highschool Latin. Carrie:-)

The history sentence songs you can get from Classical Conversations. The knock offs for the VP cards ... I'll pm you:-)

I like Memoria Press' Latin program, and they have a new French program... Carrie:-)

I love our SOTW, but I'd like the Waring ones, too. I also like Jim Weiss' other cds about people like Thomas Jefferson and such.... You can see if your library has the cds; ours has some of the SOTW. Carrie:-)

Have you read Bluedorn's Book? It's a great comfort and I know that my daughter who was/is bright with math...was doing basically the same thing in math for like...3 years! With my son, I'm doing Classical Conversations, so we do skip counting. He's starting to understand multiplying. We read tons of living math books. We also just discuss math in real life. Most of our math conversations are because he'll ask..."How many quarters in a dollar?" Or, "How many ten thousands are in One Million?" Etc. I do want to work on his abacus skills...sometime... We aren't doing any written math work... And, he's reading but not writing, yet. I just don't see kids getting behind, when public schools take 6 years to get where they are in 5th grade! Carrie:-)

I'd also suggest a good dog trainer where you go to weekly lessons and really learn how to train your dog. We have a great one in Oregon that is $85 for 8 weeks and you can go back free for life. It's really great and it has saved our dog more than once! Carrie :bigear:

I kept some ok candy in my purse for my youngest when this happened at our Awanas.... Carrie:-)

Do you have dogs? I'm thinking that if you have dogs, they don't want to chance being on your property. I know that with our gate (half way gate, it's only maybe 3 ft high) closed, the postman won't come onto the property. Course, our gate broke, so now they come up.... We have community mail boxes....so usually they fit in the big box they have for large packages...but when not, they leave them on the porch. Of course, maybe they're having a problem with stolen packages....and they want to make sure you get them. Carrie:-)

Funny about "white wheat"...when my mom first started to use this...my son didn't think it was "her bread" and almost wouldn't try it...it's so much lighter! He's very picky...luckily it tastes the same, so he will eat it! Carrie :lol:

Yes, my son uses Agave (dark) for dipping sauce for things and also for syrup for things like pancakes.... Carrie:-)

Kefir/Oatmeal crepes are my favorite breakfast food. We get Oat groats (kinda look like wheat berries) and grind them. These crepes taste normal:-) We like to use vanilla yogurt. Yummy Crepes 14 eggs 3 cups kefir or runny yogurt 1 tsp. sea salt 1 Tbsp. molasses Process the above ingredients in blender until smooth. Then stir in . . . 1 1/2 cups arrowroot powder 1 1/2 cups oat flour Stir until lumps are dissolved. If the batter is too runny, add arrowroot powder in 1/2 cup increments until the batter is about the texture of heavy cream. (but you want it pretty thin!) Spoon by 1/4 cupfuls into a well-buttered crepe pan. Cook around 30 seconds per side. Sorry, I have no idea where the recipe was originally from.... Carrie:-)

I guess I need to pick up this book before I just shoot my 10 year old. Could it be that she's seriously hormonal already??? We don't even eat "early trigger" foods! Ugggghhhhh! I did not want to deal with this. Carrie:-)

Thanks for the list! Carrie:-)