I was so happy to have kids and get to play imagination games again, as a late-20-something year old! Heck, look at all the "grown ups" who play role-playing type games. There are a lot of adults who never "grow out of" that childlike stage. I think that's okay, myself, I honestly do. Its fun, darnit, to imagine and play. I *do* think life skills things need to be learned, and appropriate behavior, but being "just like everyone else" is not necessarily the same as "appropriate". I played Barbies with my best friend in high school, when I'd sleepover. It was fun. Its STILL fun. But poor me, I went to ps jr high and high school, and learned to hide that part of me well, to fit in. Doesn't mean it wasn't there, though, I just knew kids would never let my "I want to be a horse" fantasy games be lived down if they knew about them. My poor mother absolutely despaired of me ever being "normal". She desperately wanted a cheerleader type daughter- and with my little sister, she got one.That wasn't all it cracked up to be though, as I know she'd tell you, my sister got in some trouble, etc as a product of the "popular" group in high school and being "extra" mature. I am a productive adult, if a wee bit of a nerd. I'm an undercover nerd though, as my husband says, you wouldn't know by looking at me.:D Definitely teach the life skills things, break her addiction to games and the internet (cough, cough, could stand to do that myself!), but the maturity issues- I don't know. I really think she's fine in that area, probably. And she has the best thing a kid can have- a mom who really cares.:grouphug:

Aw, c'mon...just thinking about how it *could* have been dirty mags would want me to keep the dog. If thats the worst thing I ever find, I will thank my lucky stars. PUH-leeeeessseeeee, Mom?!!!

For those that think they are exaggerating, or flat out lying, I have had a similar experience, personally. We lived in south Mississippi for 3 years. While there, my oldest daughter played Little League. Her last year playing, the team was majority white, with a white coach. At the last game of the season, a brutal double-header where I cringed watching poor DD play cather in all that gear, the team moms (all white) planned the end of season party. At a club that didn't allow blacks in, at the pool. It's 110 degrees. All these kids worked their butts off, and now, for the party to celebrate their season, 3 of the kids can't attend because of their skin color. I actually didn't understand when they said "X,Y,Z can't come" so I had to ask why, becuase I thought maybe they were busy that day and I thought we should try as much as possible to schedule it for a day most could come. And they told me, about the club. When I expressed my obvious shock that this stuff still happened, I got the ever-popular "Its a private club, they can do what they want. Anyone can start their own club with a pool if they don't like." This was 2005, people. Not 1965. And it was an accepted, "well, that's just how it is" kind of thing, still. You don't have to believe it, but that doesn't mean it isn't true.

MY youngest had a thing for climbing in the dishwasher and "helping" unload it as a wee one, too. And as *soon* as you got that child's diaper off for a bath, she would rocket down the hall and poop in the same exact spot in the playroom. :confused: Even if she'd just gone- we used to wait! I took to locking older DD and I into the bathroom with her, *then* removing the diaper after a few times of that. It was so weird. DH joked we ought to have just put some puppy pads down and saved on diapers, but-gross!! I was always very smugly proud of my oldest's careful, no-eating-weird-stuff, reasonableness.She was the most rational baby and toddler you ever saw. I was sure those hitting kids at playgroup had terrible mothers. Then I had my youngest, and well..... ...let's just say I certainly do NOT think that way anymore!!!

The kids are okay, they don't come in our room and poke around. BUT, the lovely new cleaning lady who comes once a week re-arranged and folded all the clothes in all the dressers. (Why, I don't know, because that's pretty low on the priority list of stuff to do around here!)Including the drawer of pj's and old t-shirts, with some...uh...you know...hidden items. :blink: So I will also be needing a hiding spot that is better! I don't know if I will be able to look at her tomorrow!!!

I'm pretty sure its a secret message from SWB. She's trying to tell us Saxon math is really okay. ;)

I have scoliosis that is giving me a hump. It was not caught as a kid, and will probably only get worse as I age. (A brace is not useful post-puberty) I really need to do some excercises to try and strengthen my back as much as I can. I am looking at a really heinous surgery to fix it as my only option, but it isn't bad enough nearly for that. Yet. Thanks for the book recommend. I really need to get some serious health maintenance going, I'm falling apart!!

Not actually a Wednesday shot, but one that needs little description. http://b-sfamily.blogspot.com/ But I'll just post it here, since it makes me smile! Lunch, Sunday: :D

I haven't had guinea pigs, but have had pregnant rats (not on purpose!). One rat momma ate her babies. It was awful- I ended up flushing the rest down the toilet to prevent them being eaten, I figured it was more humane.:tongue_smilie: (Thats a gagging smiley, by the way)So, be sure she has a quiet, dark place to go to, other guinea pigs and any household pets are kept away, etc. Just in case. Our second "whoops, turns out that rat was pregnant" experience ended much happier, with hoem foudn for all the babies, and no mother-munching!

You know, if you aren't close, its quite possible she already knows and isn't telling you (or your parents). Especially if the relationship is strained or she feels "judged" or whatever. My oldest has some special needs, and we rarely tell anyone, ever. Not teachers, priests, sports coaches, friend's parents, etc, unless/until it comes up. She now will sometimes tell people, or other kids, if they comment on some things, on her own. But I certainly do not, ever, tell someone prior to meeting her about her issues. I have found that she will be pre-supposed to be stupid, or weird, or they will treat her with kid gloves. And that is completely unhelpful for her, so unless (until) it comes up, we say nothing. We also did not really discuss what was going on when she was first getting tested and diagnosed, with others. Its just part of who she is, it doesn't define her. I am not the least bit upset of someone points out the stuff, nor is DD. She calmly (or I calmly) explain why she is doing whatever it is. And that's pretty much it. So I wouldn't get upset if you told me my DD has some issues, and I wouldn't necessarily expect your sister to, either. But it is certainly possible she already knows and hasn't chosen to share it with you or other family yet.

We don't force non-essentials here. My oldest was 6-7, she learned to ride without training wheels after a neighbor gave her little sister a bike they had outgrown, that had no training wheels. Little sis was 3-4, and rode it right away, so big sister of course wanted her training wheels off too! My oldest only just learned to tie shoes. :glare: I just was not interested in forcing her at 6, so I left it to her to learn on her own. Since she owns no shoes that tie, it took a while, but she finally learned to tie at the roller skating rink. Too embarassing having mom help! Learn to read? You are gonna. Math? Ditto. Non essentials like swimming or bike riding or shoe tying? They will learn it when they are ready, or spend their 30's still wearing Crocs! Makes no difference to me, either way. FWIW, they both can tie shoes, ride a bike and swim quite well now at 8 and 11.

:confused: That is really odd! I know a lot of excercise will stop periods, and poor diet, too. If it was an athletic facility (I"m thinking a Soviet-era gymnastics school or something) the staff would be affected if they too did strenous athletics combined with low caloric intact. And stress, to perform. But what chemical could they give to stop periods, if not BC?? And why?? That is just creepy, right there.

I love Jib Jab! We still sing the Kerry-Bush one from years ago. Funny stuff, no matter your politics!

Good luck with that! :D:lol::lol::D

There is no higher level- its a group excercise, this is rhythmic gymnastics. In Korea, they are divided based on age, not ability, so she is with these girls (they actually really need her, their 5th girl left and they had no other girl the right age).The other days of the week she is alone with her coach, so she really wants to make friends with these group routine girls. They all do a routine together, its tough to explain. Its on the Olympics for about 20 minutes every 4 years, otherwise no one has heard of it, LOL! At her old gym (US), there were many higher level girls, but DD was best in her level and in our region, not just for her age either. It kind of stunk, it can be a lot of pressure, some I am not sure a kid who is 6-7 whould be dealing with. She did tank her floor routine at Junior Olympics, so she isn't best in the country, only like 14th or something. Mostly, it makes me sad how she views *herself*. She is self concious and upset that these things bother other people. I can't control *them*, but I need to find a way to give her better tools to deal with it. My oldest has wonderful self-esteem, and is very much a "march to the beat of your own drummer" kind of girl. My youngest is so influenced and affected by what others think, it makes me sad that she worries about it so much. Of course the mean kids DO make me mad, but I can't really change that. I am hoping to change her outlook, I guess. She is uncomfortable being different, at all, and having it pointed out, even positively, actually. It worries me!

My poor youngest daughter has said some things that really make me sad lately. It started last year, with some girls on her gymnastics team being very jealous and mean. As she got better and better, this extended to kids we didn't know really at meets and stuff saying things to her. Now we are in Korea, and she is once again the best girl in her new class. Its all private lessons except one day of group practice, and she so, so, so wanted to make friends and be with other girls. But the girls are nice, but very vocal about pointing out that she is better than them. And maybe some girls are not so nice, I know it must be tough for them as they are older and were previously the best gymnasts. (Age is a big deal in Korea) Some girls at the park next to our house have said mean things about her, too, for being good at cartwheels, running, and things little girls play. And tonight, when it was time to go to her first Taekwondo class with her dad and sister, she said that she doesn't want to be really good at Taekwondo because then more girls will be mean to her.:crying: And of course, she is really good at it, because we haven't met a sport she didn't excel at. Often it comes up with neighborhood kids or friends as them showing off, saying "Oh look, I can do xyz!". And then telling her to try it, and she is much better at whatever it is. DD truly is the most self-effacing kid ever, I have never seen her her say "Oh look, I can do xyz, can you?" or anything. She is very complementary of other children's things they are doing/showing, and doesn't do them unless asked, sometimes begged, to try. I have seen her walk away from girls making fun of her for not hanging upside down on bars at the park, when I know very very well she can not only hang upside down but full flip off them, LOL. WHat do I do??? I hate that she catches flack from friends and perfect strangers. She knows they are jealous, but she wishes they weren't, because she just wants kids to like her. I tell her there is nothing wrong with being good at something, and everyone has their own strengths and is good at different things. But it is starting to worry me, this seperation from other kids based on this stuff, and her own worry that being good at things=no friends. She doesn't go to school, but that is the message she is getting loud and clear. Help!!! Some girls were being mean to her (older DD told me) at the park today, they were "cheerleaders" (whatever that means here) and older DD says they were mad DD did better cartwheels. They weren't even playing together, these girls were older and just started in on her. It makes DD very uncomfortable and she feels like it is somehow her "fault" mean girls don't like her. (Its boys sometimes, like with running, she is wicked fast, but usually girls)I think its her most major character flaw that she cares so, so much what others think of her, but I can't change the sort of kid she is. (This stuff is why I am so glad she is homeschooled- she would be super susceptible to peer pressure!) Anyone got some sage advice?

I've taken to putting "educational anarchist" on the "job" box on all forms. Its on FB, my Flickr profile, everything. I am pretty sure someone from this board came up with it, so thank you whoever it was! Yeah, the SAHMs here have kids in school and housekeepers, too. I simply don't have 4 hours to work out, hang out at the park outside, shop or get my nails done. I"m not anti-social, just too busy. We also are involved in outside activities that take us out of the house 6 days a week (my youngest's gymnastics in another part of Seoul, my oldest's language classes in yet another area) and so I need to protect my hs'ing time, because there is no other time to squeeze it in!

Our cat had a bad reaction to a topical flea and tick repellant- Advantage, I think? (Not Frontline, that is only for dogs I am pretty sure). Anyway, it was 8 years ago so none of that ever for the cat! She doesn't ever get fleas anyway, despite being out more than our dog. Weird. She lost a bunch of hair and had an open weeping sore on her back. The vet said *if* a reaction occurs, it is almost always with cats, not dogs. We have used it sparingly and never had a single flea problem. I usually do it in Mayish, then again in July, and then not again unless its a really warm fall. "They" say to do it every month, but every 2-3 works fine for us, and none in winter. Our dog is 99% indoors though- out only to pee and for a walk, thats it. I prefer to use it as little as possible, but if your dog is miserable, by all means, get some!!

I'm in. Our dog has cancer, I've spent the last 3 days at Seoul University Vet school sifting through their baffling array of wonderful, yet ultimately futile, medical options. Radiation. Chemo. Surgery to get localized radiation (its not a removable mass).They can even clone her for us. But they can't *cure* her, and my heart hurts. And my head, from fighting Seoul traffic, trying to discuss medical terminology in Korean (advice: if you speak a language fairly well, but not fluently, do not under any circumstances attempt to speak it at all or people who speak English but not fluently will not try to communicate in English and you will be stuck in the native language!) and dragging the kids through it all with me. DH's pay is all jacked up, and I think we can afford a housekeeper/kid watcher one day a week, but we aren't *sure*, because we can't make a new budget with the adjusted pay stuff until THEY FIX IT. I want my **** housekeeper, and am afraid she (its a really great older Korean lady) will be booked by the time they straighten it out. Or I'll wing it, hire her, and we won't be able to afford it with the new budget. Which is a totally lame thing to get upset or frustrated over, in the grand scheme of things, but seriously, you just cannot imagine how desperately wonderful a whole 8 hours to myself, plus a clean house, once a week sounds!!! Not huge stuff in the grand scheme. I love the greyhound-in-Walmart story- I needed the laugh. and the pigs in the trunk, while stopped by a...well, you know.:lol: I need to find the humor in some of my stressors! A counselor for families *did* give me his card, apropos of nothing, today while I was waiting for DD's Korean class to get out. I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that one!!

We're in Seoul, Korea. Only been here about 3 weeks, but I already have about 7 posts with a gazillion photos up! I wouldn't trade this experience with the kids for anything- it has been SO great for them, already. Their horizons are so much wider now. http://b-sfamily.blogspot.com/ Happy reading!

Woah. I think you and I sound pretty similar, and I think it might r-e-a-l-l-y be tough for me to spend a week with them! You can do it. Vent here, not there.;) :grouphug: (YOu are going to need these!!)

I think many parents truly DON'T know about things like LDs, how to get an IEP, when a kid needs extra help. I mean, look at this board- the level of knowledge on educational issues here is far from normal. We can't assume all parents, or even most, have the same levels of knowledge.And many times, the school is strapped for money and doesn't want to pay for it anyway, so they aren't going to suggest it, either. So the poor kid just keeps getting shoved along. Actually, his mother sounds like she is doing the right thing by moving him to a vocational type high school next year. So I am not sure this kid has those totally clueless, uninvolved to the point of abuse type parents.(Those parents certainly do exist). Instead it sounds like she is trying to cut her losses and steer her son to something that can help, after years of him being neglected by his school. I think most people assume the schools WILL do the "right thing", and they are loath to change it, interfere or do anything to make waves. The school encourage this "hands off" thinking, in my experience! SO I just don't see blaming the mom in this situation, at least not based on what is in the article. Poor kid. I hope he makes it.

MY daughters both had this issue, too. My oldest had some teeth come in that were all yellowy and just really soft- it was so weird. Oddly enough, hers were *so* bad that I caught it very early and the ones with no enamel were capped straight away and then ok (one did get pulled later for acavity under the cap at the bottom). MY youngest also had missing enamel, but in spots, and her poor teeth were just a MESS by 3. She also had general anasthesia (that is spelled so wrong) and one pulled, two capped and a whole mess filled. Because hers was in spots, we didn't catch it in time like with our oldest. Good news: thus far, oldest has almost all her adult teeth and they are fine, they have enamel like regualr ol teeth. No popcorn kernel teeth.Youngest has only afew adult teeth, but they are also ok. I have heard a few theories on why it happens- from anitbiotic use as babies (oldest did, youngest had none) to fevers in the mother while pregnant (had bad UTI's with both pregancies, almost the whole time, so that may be it). Hope all is well now!

ANy of the beaufully illustrated books by Demi. Our favorite is 1 grain of Rice!

Yep, pretty much my experience, only forget the "getting cavities filled for years with no numbing" part. I just didn't go.;)I don't recommend that, by the way!! MAKE a dentist listen. If they won't go to another. And so on. Seriously, it is SO WORTH IT.