Nope. Not frightening to me in the least. He can want whatever vision he wants and have a platform for spouting that vision. Aside from instigating violence his speech is afforded the same protections as anyone else's speech, assuming he's in the US. In my mind, his vision is fundamentally no different from the Christian dominionists' vision for America. And I don't fear them, either.

Yes, they absolutely do.

I think it's generally inappropriate for teachers to "friend" students even if there is a prior relationship. At the very least it gives the appearance of impropriety or favoritism even if the actual relationship is perfectly aboveboard. If a prior relationship exists I think it would be good practice to let the student know that for the duration of the educational relationship the teacher could not be online "friends" with the student. I advise the preceptors and FTOs I supervise to NOT "friend" the students or new hires they work with - and these are all adults.

I couldn't tell from reading, sorry. Is Nico on any type of pain medication(s)? Is so, is this break through pain? If not, can he take pain meds (i.e., are they effective even at just diminishing the pain enough so he's not as miserable)? There are non-narcotic pain meds that are effective, though I'm not sure about their use in peds. In other words, what's being done to control/manage the pain while all the testing, etc is going on?

Ayup. I've made several reports where either kids or elderly adults were in danger (either physical for the kids or the elderly lived in absolute filth - think feces smeared everywhere & no food in the house) and CPS/APS (depending) did nothing. So, incredibly frustrating. In TX CPS wouldn't do anything beyond the basic intake report, I think.

Said to way too many of my patients through the years, usually after the witching hour (or bar closing time - whichever is last) has passed & my internal censor has turned off "Dude (it's almost always a guy), you're so drunk that I'm gonna fail the breathalyzer!" Ambulances are fairly tight spaces...

You simply can't cover everything in 12 years; it's just not possible. And I don't think you should even try - you'll drive yourself round the bend. I plan on covering those areas/subjects which will help my kids succeed in high school, be accepted in a college or university, and have a successful life (however that might look). I think the best (academic) gifts you can give your child are literacy, numeracy, the ability to write well, and, perhaps most of all, a love of learning and the knowledge that learning is life-long.

Moxie, I feel your pain. My 13 yo would be looking at the Lego magazine and then be aghast that someone (i.e., a parental unit) was less than pleased. In his mind, obviously if mom or dad left the room, that means that it's break time and the Lego magazine is fair game. I keep reminding myself that in my line of work we have a pithy saying which encapsulates teenagers - High mobility, low common sense. Strangely, it's the same pithy saying for toddlers... ETA that dh just read this and said that's what is said about young Marines, too.

Overachievers :glare: :lol:

I had surprise #6 at 41 and he's a healthy, happy, active (Lord, is that boy active!) 2 year old now. I was, well shocked is probably too mild a word for what I felt, um, ambivalent for most of the pregnancy. I was much, MUCH more tired with the last pregnancy. The hospital I use allows the mother to choose without guilt or pressure whether to nurse or not and whether to have baby sleep in or not. You know your little one will be fine using formula. I'm like you - I prefer to hide my pregnancies for as long as possible and not talk about babies, pregnancy, have people touch me, etc. It will be OK and having mixed feelings about the whole thing is fine. :)

Sorry, Cat, that's what a mandated reporter is - someone who is legally bound to report suspicions of abuse/neglect to the appropriate agency. I don't investigate, seek confirmation, look for solid evidence, or anything else. That's CPS' or APS' job. I kinda like my job and feeding my family; so, I'll continue to follow the law.

Cat, to your second paragraph, first sentence that's simply not true. Mandated reporters do not wait until they have solid evidence. That's not the mandated reporters' job; our job is to report suspicions of abuse and/or neglect to the appropriate state agencies (in TX, at least, that's either CPS or APS). I have made many reports to both agencies in two decades at my job. Not all of them have been substantiated. Some were and the child(ren) or (usually elderly) adult(s) in question were either temporarily or permanently removed to safer environments; in many cases, families were given resources and counseling to do better. Myriad outcomes not all of which I know about. Failing to report abuse/neglect wouldn't typically end in a mandated reporter's arrest, conviction, and jail time. It easily could lead to being fired and losing whatever license or credential one holds to perform one's job. It's actually fairly black and white in TX state statutes, but may be different in other states. Based on the information in this thread it seems to me that to mom in question is failing to educate her children. Could the kids be learning basic literacy, numeracy, and writing while having a decent, if informal education? Sure. Chelli doesn't think so, though, or at least is uncertain enough that she's planning on talking with the mom in question.

I've been so swamped at work I didn't even know there was one in TX. huh. Anyway, dh and I would be interested if the emphasis were on academics, especially successfully home educating a high schooler, and/or college (i.e., SAT, ACT, SAT II tests, financial aid, etc) from which to choose. We are not at all interested in lifestyle or religious workshops. We have a priest for the latter and are definitely NOT the target audience for the former. So, if GHC could actually live up to its name and be *primarily* about homeschooling we might attend, depending on cost. Like a pp I don't appreciate commercials dressed up as workshops.

True. In fact, in a lot of Div I universities a portion of the revenue the major sport team (usually football or b-ball) brings in via TV, tickets, etc is used to fund the other men's and women's sports. I know this is true at my alma mater - a HUGE, HUGE football school - and other Div I colleges/universities. Like Regentrude, I believe there are myriad issues with college sports; the funding isn't necessarily one of them.

Texas & I'll PM you with more specific info.

Faith, tell that dd of yours to head my way. My system's starting salary is around $50-$52K PLUS outstanding bennies. We're always on the hunt for outstanding medics! I can't guarantee that she won't be shot at; but, we're a great group of people and have slightly more fun than the P&Ps allow. 😎

FM, I've been thinking about your post for a couple of days. I, too, want to encourage you (and by proxy your dd) by relating a bit of my story. I became a paramedic just after I graduated from university and before I was married. Dh and I had our first child very quickly after we were married. He and I both still worked full time jobs: his was from 0545-1500 Tues - Sat; mine was the typical 24/48 hour schedule. By asking around within my community (i.e., the public service community which includes EMS, PD, & FD) I was able to plug in to a network of licensed in-home caregivers who specialize, as it were, in caring for the little ones of those of us who worked the unusual public servant schedules. This includes overnight care for those who need that service. I found a wonderful woman who watched my 4 older kids from infancy to (for the eldest two) early - mid elementary age. This family became so important to my family that we still exchange letters and cards even though they moved to PA some years ago. Now, I don't want to minimize the cost. It *was* expensive, especially with 4 kids in daycare. We didn't need the overnight care as dh was able to pick the kids up when he got off work. I took advantage of this wonderful woman (with her blessing) to go home when I got off shift and sleep or even (quelle horror!) clean house a bit. We didn't pay per hour; it was a per month payment; so, I was able to do that without incurring additional payments. I still "joked" that I paid two mortgages. This network of what I like to call angel workers is still around and very active. I have plugged several of my colleagues into the network as they have had children and they all have been very happy with the care their children are receiving. I no longer need it as my dh retired 7 or so years ago and stays home with the kids. We now have six kids and are able to generally comfortably live on my gov't salary. Not extravagantly, mind you, and we do budget and stretch dollars; however, the 4 oldest are able to participate in one or two (depending on the kid) low to medium cost activities. I guess I'd like to encourage your dd and her dh to look beyond the obvious. There may indeed be a similar type child care network near where she lives. It probably won't be advertised as such, though, and she'll need to ask her EMS, FD, & PD colleagues. Or maybe there isn't, unfortunately. I'd also encourage them to look around the country. I know a little while ago you wrote that your sil took his job because it was the only one in his specialty (or something, right? I'm a little hazy on the details.) Where I live is still (after well over a decade) one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and has tech galore. My system pays an excellent wage PLUS has one of the best total compensation packages around (pension + insurance). The EMS service just south of mine (also a third service gov't system) also has excellent pay and benefits. Both systems are nationally recognized as outstanding progressive systems in STEMI, stroke, trauma, etc care. Anyway, I am sorry your dd and her dh are facing such hard choices. My best to them and you!

Indeed. Going back to ancient times there are records of forced quarantines and relocations to try and stop the spread of disease. England, during the various plague epidemics (esp in the 17th century in London), forced families to stay in their houses even if only one member of the family had symptoms. Entire blocks and neighborhoods were cordoned off and no one was allowed in or out, except to collect the bodies. The old phrase/skit "Bring out your dead" is based in historical reality. Public safety and health has *always* trumped personal liberty, especially in times of epidemics/pandemics.

I preregistered my two eldest in a couple of the middle school classes: study skills (both of them); Expository I (eldest); and Prep for Expository (2nd eldest). Both of them are also scheduled for 1 online class each through different venues. I do hope the scheduling works out. It would make my planning immeasurably easier knowing the days and times of WTMA.

You know, I'm with another poster. I'm mad at the police for their reaction. In fact, I would either urge my mom to file a complaint against the officer(s) who had such a cavalier attitude or I would myself.

Let me just say: The saints preserve us from priests who apparently slept through Liturgy 101. <sigh>

I. Don't. Know. she said with an exasperated sigh.

He wouldn't be interested in this at all, unfortunately. All the kids, however, will be required to demonstrate competency in basic car maintenance (checking tire pressure & filling them with the correct amount of air, checking fluid & oil levels, jumping a car, etc) before being allowed to drive, as both dh and I were. He is enjoying CAP, but, again, won't study for the promotion tests without nagging which I'm loathe to do. He also enjoys being one of the higher ranked belts in TKD. I've tried working on that angle a bit to the stereotypical teen shoulder shrug. Ah, well. We'll weather this. He is so incredibly smart; however, at this age I can't force him to do much. Tess, sorry for the thread jack.

No, not really. I've tried to spark his interest in something. This WWII study I developed is the only thing he's shown an interest in.

I'd definitely go with the WWII and/or boat/marine study. I finished the "Japanese and American Naval Operations in the Pacific During WWII" study for my son. I convinced him that perhaps broadening just a wee bit from his initial idea of "American Naval Operations in the Pacific During 1943" might be a slightly easier and more interesting topic. I told him to save the narrowing down for his PhD. (HA!) I'm right there with you with a boy who is absolutely NOT interested in school. Or really learning. Boy is smarter than a whip; just wants to coast, though. I'm hanging my metaphorical hat on the ladies here who have said to ride out this phase. A phase, I might add, which has been going on for a while. <sigh>