[I finally have a few real opinions about the Duggars]

Really, doesn't a fair percent of the population eat like this? Where do you think all those heads of iceberg lettuce in the store go? I'm continually amazed at the things people eat, and feed their children (candy and fast food every day? seriously?) I grew up eating iceberg lettuce and tator tot casserole. I'm not saying I think it's healthy (and my crappy diet for most of my life might explain why my children have so many food intolerances, but that's a different story). I'm just saying I don't think it's at all out-of-the-ordinary.

 

I never said it was unusual, just that I'd make better food choices for my family if I were them.

 

The OP mentioned the family growing a garden. My point was that even if that is not an option, they could at least buy healthier food at the store, since it doesn't seem like money is an issue.

 

If they want to eat disgusting food, that is their prerogative, but when they put the recipe on a website, I can have a public opinion about it. ;)

[Fix It and Forget It cookbooks]

I agree with the others. I have one that I got as a gift, but never use it because all the recipes are pretty unhealthy.

[Please help me to not kill anyone!]

I would exercise, definitely. Either join a gym or go out for a brisk walk/run. It will do wonders for your mood and you'll be doing something for you every day.

[I finally have a few real opinions about the Duggars]

It really bugs me when folks will skimp on nutrition in the name of saving a buck. They've had a TV show for several years, they reportedly have no debt. Can't they afford to at least buy more healthful foods? I mean, you know, replace the iceberg lettuce with romaine, etc, etc, etc.? And that tater tot casserole...blech is right!

[As a guest in someone's home, would you do this?]

I only switch it if DH hangs it the wrong way.

 

I would never switch it in someone else's home.

 

I would definitely notice if someone switched it in my home. And I would immediately switch it back every single time. There is a right way and a wrong way. I will not compromise on this. :D

[Grocery cosst on average...]

I try to keep it to $200 and under per week. It usually hits somewhere around $180-$200. Family of 5, no pets.

[Now that the initial hype is over, how do you like your Fire?]

We opened 4 of them on Christmas day in our house and we all love them! No complaints here!

[If you have or have had a 12yo]

I voted no and it's mainly because of the cost. If we were to leave him home alone or when he goes to activities alone, we give him one of ours.

[My dear friend of 6yrs died yesterday!]

:grouphug: I'm sorry.

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

Good for her son for speaking up!!! How incredibly sad he even had to.

 

Yes, he spoke up, his parents are now hs'ing him, and the school has agreed to offer an alternative book if desired. However the parents are not satisfied. They want the book yanked from the school altogether. Apparently since they are offended, no one gets to read it. And therein lies the problem (with the new law).

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

The US DOE as we know it today came into operation in 1980.

 

We could go back to giving control of the local schools to the parents and the town, not the state or the Federal governments.

 

Have you looked at the Common Core standards that the Federal government is having the states use? They are horrible and not understandable.

 

I am not opposed to a base standard from the feds. That way a place like Mississippi can have the same standards as we in NJ, do--but how exactly is that working for us now?

 

The states and counties need to manage their own, with, perhaps, a recommendation of standards set out by the gov, with no oversight. No department. Waste Of Time and Money. I would love to see something classical, of course, so we could bring back the standard in Western Civilization...

 

Thanks for the info. I would agree reform needs to happen, that's for sure.

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

:iagree: -- and I don't want to "hijack" this thread, but have you seen the documentary IndoctriNation ? :auto:

 

Not sure if this was directed to me or not, but after watching the trailer, it wouldn't be something that interests me.

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

I think abolishing the DOE would be one of the best things that ever happened to education in this state/country.

 

What happens the day after it gets abolished? I've never heard that explained and I'm genuinely asking.

[I-Pod Nano, I-Pod Touch, or Kindle Fire for 9 yr old boy]

I would go for the Kindle Fire. My kids love theirs. We have iPod touches too, but for roughly the same price, you can't beat the Fire.

[Netflix queue question]

Hmmmm, I have account profiles under that. Must be only for DVD customers like you said.

[My dog stinks and it's too cold to give him a bath.]

I used to give our lab baths in the winter in our tub. I have microfiber towels that really get most of the water out afterwards. He would dry thoroughly by the fire.

[Netflix queue question]

Really? I just went thru the steps I have on my post and it's there on mine. :confused:

[Netflix queue question]

Doesn't have what?

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

We are interested in what goes on. Just as a homeschooler in MA, all the homeschool laws came out of court cases not legislated law so the public schools here had no interest in allowing homeschooling. So any law where the parents can have say is a step in the right direction. As I put in my previous post, other states allow parental objection. This law is just an extension of other state laws.

 

I guess I don't trust that this is a parental rights issue, which is largely why it passed. I think there are ulterior motives here by the state government. The House recently passed a motion to look into the abolition of the Dept of Ed in NH. That is what I think is at work here.

[Netflix queue question]

You go into your account, scroll down to where it says "Preferences" and under that you'll see "Account profiles". Click that, then click "Add profile".

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

Since we are homeschoolers, the issue does not pertain to us.

 

It does if my DH is a ps teacher in NH.

 

Oh, and my kids will be going into ps next year. And I'm genuinely interested in what happens in my state, regardless of if it directly affects me or not.

 

ETA: The law is about much more than objecting to something. It means that a parent can tell the teacher he/she cannot teach something and must use X curriculum in its place.

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

I think the "answer" to that is that parents have to pay for the alternative curricula. Of course, I'm guessing they don't have to pay for the faculty time that will be spent on negotiation meetings since both parents and the school have to agree on the alternative materials. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the first instance of "neither one of us will budge." Since there is the stipulation that the alternative materials still have to meet the educational standards and guidelines of the state, there will be some limits on what parents can suggest.

 

Even if they get past all that, and that's a big if, they have no resources to teach that curriculum on top of the standard curricula.

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

How in the world would a classroom (of say 30 kids) even function with many children using different cirriculum? How would that be possible?

 

It's not possible. At all. They couldn't even do it with 1 child in the classroom using something different. Many districts don't even have the funding for aides to give extra help for kids that need it, but that don't qualify for an IEP or 504. It's just mind boggling!

[New Hampshire "objectionable material" law passed]

:iagree: That's awesome!!!!

 

 

I'm genuinely puzzled how any homeschooling parent could be against this legislation as it does exactly what most of us would want public schools to do - to listen to our input on how our children should be educated. I think it's awesome that if a parent sees that their child isn't learning how to read by using sight words' date=' that they can now get phonics reading instruction for their children. The goal is to have educated children. IMO parents are the primary educators of their children no matter whether they are homeschooled or in a public school. This legislation now gives them rights they haven't had before. Totally awesome!!![/quote']

 

Parents have always had the right to educate their children at home after school. My mom afterschooled me during the time I went to ps in the '80s. She was dissatisfied with new math...she taught me the traditional way at home, and on and on.

 

Homeschooling is very easy to do in NH, so that's another viable option for parents.

 

What is wrong with this is that it is not practical, it will create more problems than it will solve, and the education system in NH does not have the resources to sustain it, nor do the taxpayers.

 

And FWIW, I do have a dog in this fight. ;)

[How involved were your parents in your education?]

My mom was very involved with our education. She used to afterschool us before anyone knew what that was! My dad used to wonder aloud why she bothered sending us to school if she was going to teach us when we got home. :D

 

I remember lots and lots of involvement, but more importantly, support and encouragement. My brother was always on honor roll, always got very good grades. I was more of an average student and had to study really hard for a B. But my mom always told me all she expected was my best. And if my best was a B or C, that was good enough for her. Loved that.