Jean, I wouldn't recommend this method to everyone, but we often stray from our original battle plans in order to research and study other things. I am a researcher by nature, which does help. We read voraciously and enjoy watching educational videos. My children are so part of my daily life, that we discuss everything from current events to strange headlines we find on news websites. I always involve them in everything and encourage them to take interest in what their siblings are doing/creating. It seems to me that if a parent is desirous of studying and learning, the children will likely inherit this tendency. Blessings, Jean.

My 11 1/2 yob is viewing this over my shoulder and saying ditto to the Legos. Blessings.

Drew, do you know if the rating has to do with depictions of graphic violence or of the typical Marvel comic-type representation of women?..ahem...if you kwim.

Holly, you can get tea tree oil fairly inexpensively at Walmart. Look in the vitamin section. Be careful not to get it into dd's eyes. That would not feel good at all. According to the book Smart Medicine For a Healthier Child, you should dilute 8-10 drops of tea tree oil in 1 pint of spring water and apply the mixture to the affected area three times daily. Oregano oil is supposed to be a powerful anti-fungal. I have not used it but have read about it. I'd encourage you to research it online. You may want to try Beeyoutiful.com. If you would like to try an internal remedy, along with the candida-free diet, Smart Medicine For a Healthier Child recommends sulphur 30X or 9C (these are strengths), 3 times a day, for 3 days. It should be taken at least one hour before or after using tea tree oil because the oil may cancel the remedy. Blessings.

Oh, yuck, Holly! I have not had experience w/ ringworm but had a few ideas. Have you tried dd on a candida-free diet? The Yeast Connection books are fantastic. Also, I have used tea tree oil w/ success on some skin rashes. I dilute it w/ either vaseline or a natural base (like coconut oil or olive oil). Have you researched oregano oil? And are you sure this is ringworm? Hope you find some helpful information. Blessings.

Janie, your sage wisdom and encouragement always lifts my spirits...and helps so much! I sure do miss you! Blessings.

Kate, I wanted to add one more thing. If you didn't already know, homeopothic remedies are prescribed according to an evalution of ones physical characteristics and symptoms. For example, the naturopath that examined my little boy mentioned a few of his physical characteristics...round head, chubby face, somewhat sweaty by nature. I thought that was interesting. I have researched homeopathy quite extensively and realized that this examination is somewhat scientific. Blessings.

Hyland's teething tablets for children. Awesome! I also take allium cepa for colds. When one of my twins was an infant and plagued w/ a chronic ear infection, we took him to a naturopath as a last resort to getting ear tubes. Well, the naturopath prescribed calcarea carbonica (based on a homeopath's evaluation of our child's physical characterisics and symptoms) and it immediately relieved the ear infection pain. This remedy healed his ear infection. He had been on antibiotics for weeks and weeks. We were astounded. Blessings, Kate.

My kids love Mark Kistler, but we have not formally done his program. However, as an artist, I would recommend that you provide the opportunity and materials so your children can draw anytime(i.e. pencils, paper, markers, whatever medium you have). On top of the skills they can learn from Draw Squad, allow them to practice their creativity and newfound skills. It helps to keep the t.v. and computer off, so that they may be encouraged to resort to paper and pencil. Also, don't critique their work. Give encouragement and praise, even if what they have created is a blob of "what the heck is that anyway." Allow them to color outside the lines on occasion. Art is fun and creative, and can be enriching w/ a little structure (little is better). Blessings.

LOL, Sheryl! I'm right there w/ ya. I loved Robinson Crusoe, and so did my kids. The writing is beautiful and poetic. (now...I'm off to check on Moll Flanders...LOL) Blessings.

What about good ole vinegar diluted in water? Blessings.

Praying, Jennifer! Keep us posted. Blessings.

Norpro breadpans, hands down. I like these high-sided pans that allow for the bread to rise higher. See Urban Homemaker's website. Blessings.

Chris, hang in there. Keep encouraging and loving your son, while at the same time maintaining your tough love position. I'm sorry you have relatives interfering w/ the situation. That certainly doesn't help. But just keep communicating w/ your son, if possible. I pray you all get through this difficult time. Blessings.

Tracey, we are living the same lives! LOL...However, I am very jeaous....I *want* a karaoke machine!!!!!

LOL...yes, I understand why you would think this is mean. However, my kids do not interpret it as mean. We do a lot of kidding around and pranking to each other in our house, and it's all out of love. There have even been time when my boys have gotten into my chocolate stash, and hid it. LOL. They laugh and tease me about it. I tell them it's they that will have to pay for hiding my chocolate :o). Blessings

I know what you're are saying, Ria. Obedience is not the issue in our house. And you certainly do know about the computer game issue with 5 boys. I appreciate what you are saying. Blessings.

Well, there ya go, Tracey...perhaps this new idea could help reduce your "full-time video game monitor" workload (smile). I wasn't trying to whine too much about our situation, just wanted to show how I took control of it.....and I always like to reduce any tension that can result from things like this. Creative and comedic solutions have helped us a lot. Blessings. :o)

What's interesting is when my boys all get together and try to "regulate" each others time on the video game media. I think I could write a Saturday Night Live skit featuring this whole affair (grin). I hope the timer will work for your girls. Blessings.

Debra, honestly, I do not think this is mean. With 7 children (6 boys) in our household, management of these items can practically be a full-time job, one which I am not willing to do. My children understand that there are days when they can play the PC or X-Box, they are not banned from them. Sometimes they are suprised to find they can play, and this is after all responsibilities and chores have been accomplished. Blessings.

We are not a high-tech household, possessing only a PC and an X-Box. However, these are enough to test the powers of my children's self-control and self-discipline when it comes to overuse and compulsions to play video games. I'm not one to enact rigid schedules and routines, so there is often flexibility that leaves time for independent thinking and use of our time. 9 times out of 10, that use of time involves telling 7 children "no" or "maybe later" or "we'll see" or "just for an hour" for their time to use the computer. Honestly, that really gets on my nerves...being asked repeatedly...even after stating an expecation of not being asked. Putting away the PC is not an option in our home, and I don't like to have to put the X-Box under lock and key. I don't like the contention and strife that this modern tech seems to encourage. I'm not going to throw out the stuff either. So, what's a mom to do? Well, she puts on her "thinking cap" and comes up with a funny (imo) idea. She decides it is time to help her children practice self control. She removes certain "necessary parts" of the X-Box (the power cord) and the PC (the mouse...easily detachable), and she hides them in place where her children will never find them. (i.e. between the folded towels in the bathroom cabinet, between the folded blankets in the linen closet, etc). The next time my boys asked to play the X-Box, I said "sure." Well, they rush off w/ glee only to discover they cannot play because parts are missing. They return to me and ask where these things are. LOL. I say with a grin,"Well, I will not be divulging that information at this time." Just wanted to share. Perhaps this method may seem a bit devious to some, but it has worked well for us. I bet some of you have been smart enough to do this a long time ago. Blessings, Camy

You have trained them not to promptly come to you when called by giving them a warning. I know it takes work, but teaching them to come when called (w/o warning) can make a big difference.....the work pays in the long run. I work w/ one child at a time on things like this, and the other children fall into line quickly. It is necessary to practice this often w/ children...daily. Call them and expect them to respond w/ a "coming Mom!" It doesn't have to be mean or dispiriting to them. Play a game where you will hide somewhere in the house and call their name. They have to say "Coming Mom" and find you as quickly as possible. If you have this expectation, it will become a habit for them. Blessings...and I know what you mean when you say that you are not in your 20's anymore! LOL :o)

One note, Carli. I do not use the powdered cheese called for in the recipe, and it is still yummy.

Activated charcoal tablets have been our salvation in times like this! They really help a lot. Blessings.

Easy.... 1) Barbecued sloppy joe meat over rice. Brown your ground beef (add chopped onion or onion powder to flavor), add barbecue sauce, ketchup and water until you get the flavor and consistency of sloppy joes. Serve you cooked rice w/ sloppy joe beef poured over it. If you can whip up some baking powder biscuits to go with this meal, you're set. Do you have a canned veggie or carrotsticks you can serve as well? 2) Hamburger Gravy (use the ground beef for the ground turkey) and Mashed Potatoes...Do you have butter and milk for the potatoes? Cream cheese would be ideal, but you could live w/o it. You could also use water instead of milk (for the potatoes) and oil or shortening instead of butter. Again, biscuits are great with this as well. 3) Fried potatoes and eggs. Slice up those potatoes and fry them up. Add some onion powder and salt and pepper to flavor them a bit. Serve w/ scrambled eggs. Don't forget the biscuits! 4) There's always good old potato soup....Peel and dice up your potatoes, cook them in plenty of water with onion powder or chopped onion for flavor. I like to make dumplings for this type of soup w/ 2 cups of flour, 1 or 2 eggs, enough water to create a thick paste, and salt & pepper. After potatoes are tender and soup is boiling, spoon dollops of dumpling dough into simmering soup and let cook for about 5 minutes. You knew I was going to say this..."don't forget the biscuits." LOL> Blessings!